| Smoking, as the ads say, is dangerous to one's | | | | quickly become used to the nicotine in cigarettes |
| health. And it is. Continued smoking may cause | | | | that a person may keep looking for it. This has |
| health complications left and right, not only to | | | | been the biggest ordeal quitters are trying to |
| yourself, but also to the people around you. | | | | overcome, the nicotine fits. |
| According to statistics, smoking is responsible for | | | | How can I quit smoking? |
| approximately one in five deaths in the United | | | | The best way to stop smoking is to stay away |
| States. This vice kills approximately 259,494 men | | | | from cigarettes. It's easier said than done. Here |
| and 178,404 women yearly. Smoking long-term | | | | are a few steps to cut down on cigarette |
| may cause lung cancer, emphysema, | | | | smoking to make quitting easier. |
| cardiovascular diseases, pregnancy abnormalities, | | | | Switch to a brand that has lower nicotine content. |
| childhood asthma, and sudden infant death | | | | The key is gradually lessening the nicotine intake |
| syndrome. Isn't it high time people thought of | | | | to avoid having withdrawal symptoms. |
| quitting? | | | | Lessen the number of cigarette sticks you smoke |
| History of smoking | | | | each day. |
| The earliest recorded history of smoking dates | | | | Smoke only half the cigarette stick. |
| back to 5000BC from the Peruvian and | | | | Postpone your usual first "stick of the day" by |
| Ecuadorian Andes. Smoking has also been present | | | | one hour. |
| in many cultures around the world. Early smoking | | | | Decide how many sticks you'll be smoking during |
| has been related to religious ceremonies - as | | | | the day and stick with it. Pay a penalty for every |
| offering to people's respective deities, as cleansing | | | | excess still you smoke. |
| rituals of shamans or priests for divination and | | | | If the above mentioned tips don't help you lessen |
| spiritual enlightenment. After the European | | | | your nicotine intake in a day, there are a lot of |
| exploration and conquests, tobacco smoking was | | | | products created to help smokers quit their habits. |
| introduced to the rest of the civilized world. Since | | | | Among the more famous "stop-smoking" |
| then it has evolved from religious ritual protocol to | | | | products are: |
| a social activity. | | | | Nicotine patches. This is a small, self-adhesive |
| Why is it difficult to quit smoking? | | | | patch designed to slowly release nicotine into the |
| With the sudden rise of awareness campaigns | | | | bloodstream through the outer layer of skin. |
| about the ill effects of smoking to one's health, a | | | | These are often worn on the upper arm. |
| lot of people have tried quitting smoking. Herein | | | | Nicotine gum. The nicotine is released into the |
| lies the obstacle - How does one stop smoking. | | | | body from the gum. Not only does it satisfy |
| According to a recent study done in 2004 and | | | | nicotine fits without the use of cigarettes. |
| 2005, fifty-five percent of smokers said that it | | | | Smoking, however cool it makes a person look |
| would be difficult to go through an entire day | | | | like, is still going to take its toll on the body after |
| without smoking. Why is it difficult to stop | | | | a while. The next time you light a cigarette, think |
| smoking? | | | | of all its adverse effects and ask yourself, "is it |
| Loose tobacco stuffed inside cigarettes contains | | | | worth the complications it'll bring you in the |
| nicotine which is highly addictive. Just like with any | | | | future? |
| other addictive drugs, the body and mind may | | | | |