Smoking Cessation | Smoke Free Methods

Toxins Found In Cigarettes

Every ad for antismoking says that there are over 4000 chemicals and toxin within a single tobacco cigarette. That is a lot of toxins to be inside a small item like a cigarette. While most places will quote the number of 4000 chemicals no one will really list what those chemicals are.

Here is a look at some of the chemicals that are inside that cigarette. If these toxins aren’t enough to help you consider quitting smoking, who knows what will help you stop.

Ammonia. This is found in most cleaning agents and is very powerful.

Arscinic. Remember rat poisoning, just one drop and the rat eats it and dies. That’s what is in that cigarette you are smoking.

Carbon Monoxide. Car fumes have high levels of carbon monoxide. It is often known to suffocate people and cause their deaths. You might as well directly inhale a car exhaust system, instead of smoking a cigarette.

Acetone. You know that powerful smelling, nail polish remover? That chemical is also inside that cigarette that you are smoking.

Formaldyhyde. A chemical that is used to preserve dead bodies or items used in dissecting is inside cigarettes.

Tar. Not directly inside that cigarette but the chemicals that are in cigarettes once inhaled turn into tar inside the body.

Most of these items are items that a person wouldn’t even dream of eating or drinking. Rat poison has on the side of the box, do not ingest. Other items are just as bad as that. The listed chemicals were just a small sample of the chemicals that are found inside cigarettes, there are still over 3900 chemicals that are too complex or complicated to list. All of the listed ingredients have directly effected the health of the smoker involved.

With all these items that a person wouldn’t even dream of ingesting, it’s a wonder why so many people are still smoking cigarettes at an alarming rate.

Filed Under: Addiction, Anti-Smoking, Health Tagged With: Chemical substance, Cigarette, Smoking cessation

How to Talk to Your Kids About Smoking

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

There are several approaches you can take when you talk to your kids about smoking. Try to have this conversation regularly as your child grows up so you can gauge his or her feelings and thoughts. Add in more statistics and health information depending on the age of your child. This can help prevent your kids from ever trying a cigarette. You can also use this conversation to help your kids or teenagers stop smoking.

Find out what your child knows about smoking. This will turn it into a conversation instead of just a lecture. It also helps you understand the peer pressure that exists. Try role playing with your child so they know exactly what to say when offered a cigarette.

Research together. You don’t want to scare your children. Just let them know the truth about the harmful effects of cigarettes and tobaccos. You can find lists of all of the chemical compounds and health risks. Assure your child that their medical care is safe with an Rx card, but they also need to take steps to be as healthy as possible.

Get help from their school. Many schools have anti-drug and anti-smoking campaigns and clubs. You can get literature and help from these organizations about how to talk to your kids about smoking. If the school doesn’t have one of these programs then consider starting one.

You’ll need to dispel myths to have an effective conversation. Ask your child what the appeal of smoking is. Talk about how it might appear like a popular fad, but it can have addictive properties. In addition to the health effects, you can review the cost of cigarettes both in terms of healthcare and the actual cost of the product. You can also talk about the ways it affects the outward appearance such as coughing or discoloration of the teeth.

Filed Under: Addiction, General, Health Tagged With: Child, Cigarette, Electronic cigarette, Health, Smoking cessation, Substance abuse, Tobacco, Tobacco smoking

The Cycle of Smoking: Young Children Copy Their Parents

: Image by Aaron Edwards via Flickr

Many years ago there used to be a product on the shelves that allowed children to mimic their parents by smoking what was considered candy cigarettes. These cigarettes were sugar candies that could be quickly eaten by the children after pretending to smoke them.

These products have quickly been removed from the shelves in the past few years as parents did not want their children exposed to the risks of cigarettes and led to believe that smoking is okay.

Despite the fact that these types of candies and toys were removed from shelves, children all over the world are being exposed to cigarette use by someone that they idol the most. Their parents.

In a recent study, it showed that children who grew up with parents who were smokers or smoked around them, were 40 times more likely to become smokers themselves. Just the simple fact of seeing their parents smoke and do something that was considered normal, allowed the children to believe that they were okay with smoking cigarettes.

So after all the hard work of parents to remove toys and candies that look like cigarettes and present that smoking is okay for children to engage in, it really comes down to what the children see their parents or loved ones doing that influence how they act and what they will do in the future.

Considering the risk that a child has for smoking. As a parent it is best to not smoke at all around the child and to work on ways to quit smoking. There are many aids and medications that can be used to help you quit. After all the health concerns about smoking came to light there is no way that a parent would want their children growing up around second hand smoke and then starting to smoke their cigarettes themselves.

Filed Under: Addiction, Anti-Smoking, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Smoking, Smoking cessation

Tips for Quitting Cigarettes Naturally

Finding a way to quit smoking is tough. For many people, it is a process of trial and error. While there are those with enough willpower to quit with no assistance, most people need some sort of help. If you decide that you want to quit smoking, there are a few things you can do to help ease the transition. The problem with quitting cigarettes is that you will experience withdrawals. Your body becomes addicted to the nicotine and if deprived, you will have mood swings and a general grumpy disposition.

One natural way to help fight the cravings is with chewing gum and hard candies. Each time you get the urge to smoke a cigarette, chew a piece of gum or eat candy. Sugar-free is, of course, the best choice because many people that quit smoking gain weight. This is because many choose to eat instead of smoke, trading one bad habit for another. Chewing gum or eating hard candy occupies your mouth and helps get your mind off the desire for nicotine.

Another natural alternative is exercise. Nicotine releases “feel-good” chemicals in your brain. Exercise does the same thing. When you have a craving for a cigarette, try a walk or a run. Pop in a workout video and get moving. The exercise will release the chemical that makes you feel better, relieving your grumpy mood while taking your mind off cigarettes.

The important thing to remember when quitting cigarettes is that the withdrawal symptoms will subside. It usually takes about a month but once you pass that hump, it will be much easier. You are not stuck with the unhealthy habit forever. You are in control of your life and you can make the choice to quit smoking. Keep yourself busy, try to relax and enjoy letting go of the cigarettes for good.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Nicotine, Smoking cessation

Stress and Cigarettes

: Image via Wikipedia

Being a smoker, you probably find yourself lighting up every time a stressful situation comes about. Most smokers feel the need for a cigarette when they feel stress or tension. It does not matter where the stress comes from; the urge to smoke is there. Smoking gives your body nicotine and nicotine releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel better. If you are trying to quit smoking, you need to focus on healthy, natural ways to manage your stress.

When a stressful situation happens, instead of lighting a cigarette, fight the urge and do something else. Meditation is a great way to calm down. You can try deep breathing techniques while you meditate. The point is to get your mind centered on something other than the situation and the cravings. You have to remember that no matter what is going on, it will pass. Count to ten, take deep breaths, give yourself a time-out to calm down, and do not give in to the desire to smoke.

Another way to deal with stress is to remove yourself from the stressful situation. Get in your car and take a long drive. Turn the radio up and sing as loud as you want. It is important to give yourself a break from the stress. If you cannot take a drive, take a walk. At the very least, go to a room and watch television or turn on the radio. Find a way to get your mind off the stress and to relax.

When stress comes into your life (it always will), do not be controlled by the stress or the craving for a cigarette. Make yourself smile. It is a proven fact that smiling makes a person feel better, so laugh even when you feel like crying. Turn to your loved ones for support and keep the cigarettes as far away as possible.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Nicotine, Smoking cessation

Support Groups to Help Quit Smoking

A helpful way to quit smoking that many people overlook is seeking support. It is important to your success to have people rallying around you and encouraging you. Quitting the habit of cigarette smoking is not easy and if someone does not smoke, it can be hard to understand. Seeking support from other people that are quitting is a great way to get advice, tips and just a friendly ear during your ordeal.

Quitting cigarettes is definitely an ordeal. You are addicted to cigarettes and like a drug; you must wean yourself away from them. There will be withdrawal symptoms and difficult cravings. Seeking help from support groups will get you through those difficult times. Other smokers that are trying to quit or ex-smokers will talk you through the hard spots. Turning to someone who understands your struggle is easier than trying to get support from those that do not understand the addiction.

You can find support groups by checking with your physician or local health department. Since the importance of living smoke-free is very important to public health, medical professionals will point you in the right direction. In addition to leading you to a support group, your doctor or health department can provide ways to help you get started. They can determine if you need any medical intervention, such as prescription pills, to make the process easier.

Once you begin the process of quitting cigarettes, do not be afraid to turn to your support group. Just as alcoholics have sponsors, you can find someone to be your sponsor. This person will be someone you can call at a moment’s notice when you feel the urge to smoke. Being surrounded by supportive people as you try to quit smoking will give you a better chance for success. Making the decision to quit smoking is a choice you will never regret.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Quitting, Smoking cessation

Useful Ways to Help You Stop Smoking

Your first step to successfully quit smoking is to make the choice to quit. Once you have committed yourself to the cause, you are that much closer to the goal. One way to make this commitment is to write it down. Make a contract with yourself that you are going to quit smoking. Include some sort of reward that you will give yourself once you have quit the habit. Sign the contract, date it and store it somewhere that you will see every single day. This written contract is your constant reminder of your new life without cigarettes.

Once you have made the commitment to quitting, there are other things to do to ensure your success. Start slowly when you are trying to quit smoking. It is difficult to quit suddenly. This will lead to severe withdrawals and a higher chance of giving up. Set up goals for each day or week of the number of cigarettes you will smoke. For example, make a goal to only smoke three packs in one week. Once you do that, make a new goal of two packs. You will learn to limit yourself each day and begin to get used to not having so much nicotine.

Be sure and get the support of your friends and family. If you have smoking friends, you may have to stop being around them until you are completely smoke-free. Being around cigarettes will severely inhibit your ability to quit. Avoid places where you always smoked, such as your favorite nightclub. Once you no longer smoke, you can begin to go back to these places. You may need medical help if your cravings are too hard to control. Talk to your doctor about different products designed to help people stop smoking. It will not be easy to quit, so take your time and do not get discouraged.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Health, Smoking cessation

Chewing Tobacco: Not an Option for People Trying to Stop Smoking

Many people believe that chewing tobacco is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. Many trade cigarettes for chewing tobacco. They believe that the tobacco is better for their health than cigarettes. Unfortunately, this is not true. Chewing tobacco is not a safe way to stop smoking. It is just as harmful to your health as cigarettes. If you are a smoker, do not turn to chewing tobacco instead of cigarettes. You need to quit all forms of nicotine in order to save your overall health.

Chewing tobacco comes in a variety of forms. Most involve putting the tobacco in between your lip and gum. You spit out the tobacco juice. There is nicotine in chewing tobacco so you will still be addicted to nicotine. You may not be inhaling harmful smoke into your lungs, but you will still be swallowing some of the juice. This often leads to various kinds of cancers, including throat and mouth cancer.

In addition to cancer, chewing tobacco causes your teeth to decay. It can lead to gum disease and cause painful sores in your mouth. When it comes to appearances, having a lump of tobacco in your mouth is not attractive. Neither is the constant spitting that goes with it. There are new packets of tobacco that make it possible not to spit, but the health risks from the tobacco are still present.

In order to successfully quit smoking, you must wean yourself away from cigarettes. Chewing tobacco in any form is not a safe way to stop smoking. It is just as addictive and harmful to your health as smoking. Quitting cigarettes is a challenge, but it can be done. Commit yourself to letting go of the cigarettes and leave the chewing tobacco alone. Your health will improve and you will not have that unsightly bulge in your mouth.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Chewing tobacco, Smoking cessation, Tobacco

Products to Help You Stop Smoking Cigarettes

Breaking the habit of smoking cigarettes is easier said than done. Countless studies proved long ago that nicotine is highly addictive. When people smoke, it is not the tobacco they become addicted to; it is the nicotine. Much like a drug, once nicotine takes hold of the user, it is very difficult to break the addiction cycle.

As public health awareness of the harmful effects of cigarettes has increased, people are trying to quit. Quitting has proven to be hard and, often, some sort of assistance is needed. Even though some people have success quitting “cold turkey”, most need help. The need to quit smoking cigarettes has led to a rise in the production of various aids to help fight the addiction.

A popular product to help someone stop smoking is in the form of a patch. These patches are worn every day and release controlled levels of nicotine into the body through the skin. There are different levels of nicotine patches available so that people can gradually decrease the amount of nicotine. The patches have had varied levels of success.

Another anti-smoking product is nicotine gum. When people crave nicotine, instead of lighting a cigarette, they chew a piece of gum. Prescription pills are also available. These pills are supposed to make a person feel physically ill if they try to smoke a cigarette. Like the patches, the gum and pills have had different levels of success.

When it comes to quitting smoking, the bottom line is a person has to want to quit. If the desire to change is not there, the chance of success diminishes. The anti-smoking products can only do so much without the willpower of the individual. With all of the health risks linked to cigarettes, it is important to both individual and public health that people do their best to break the habit.

Filed Under: Addiction, Anti-Smoking, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Nicotine, Smoking cessation

Monkey on your Back

: Image via Wikipedia

Quitting cigarettes can be a headache. No, it can be more than a headache. Quitting can hurt your head and your stomach. Quitting can make you lash out at everyone around you. It can increase your daily stress and cause anxiety and depression. Quitting can even make it nearly impossible to drive your car! Quitting can is hard, but detrimental to your health would be picking up just one more cigarette. Those trying to quit must learn how to deal with the negative aspects of quitting, in order to make the process as easy as possible.

Below is a list of some of the possible challenges you will face when you quit, and how best to deal with these challenges once you get there.

-Increased irritability and frustration

Feelings of anger and frustration usually begin within the first day of your last cigarette, and can last up to a month. Exercise will help calm your emotions. Take a walk, play a sport, or go for a swim. Some people even choose to meditate, helping bring their feelings into perspective, acknowledging that the lack of nicotine is making them angry, not anything else.

-Increased Stress

People smoke to deal with stress. When cigarettes are no longer there, smokers feel like their best coping medicine is lost. Identify the stresses in your life, know their physical symptoms (headaches, trouble sleeping) and try to find other ways to cope.

-Intense Cravings for Nicotine

Smokers thrive off nicotine in their bodies. Once you quit, your body will urge you to smoke, craving more of that lost nicotine. Remember that these cravings will pass. Try to keep your mouth busy, stopping the oral fixation associated with smoking. Try to avoid situations where you would normally smoke.

These are just three of the thousands of hurdles you will have to face in order to quit. Remember to breathe deep, take life slow, and most of all, know your symptoms will pass. You will soon be healthier and happier for quitting!

Filed Under: Addiction, Health, Medication Tagged With: Cigarette, Smoking cessation, Tobacco smoking