Why Do We Smoke?

Before World War I, tobacco was smoked in the form of cigars. They were primarily smoked by the wealthy. Cigarettes, which are basically leftovers of the cigar making process, were smoked by the less affluent. The number of people who smoked cigarettes boomed when tobacco companies started to mass-produce cigarettes. Their clientele: soldiers of World War I.

As early as 1892 cases of epilepsy, insanity and death were frequently reported as the result of smoking cigarettes, while such physicians as Dr. Lewis Sayre, Dr. Hammond, and Sir Morell Mackenzie of England, name heart trouble, blindness, cancer and other diseases cause by cigarettes smoking.

Leading physicians of America in 1892 unanimously condemn cigarette smoking as one of the vilest and most destructive evils that ever befell the youth of any country, declaring that its direct tendency is a deterioration of the race.

It took some time before modern day physicians would acknowledged the deadly by-product of smoking. Doctors only took notice of the increase in lung cancer incidents 20

to 30 years after WWI. With this increase, Reader's Digest published an article "Cancer by the Carton," which prompted the public to be aware of the effects of cigarette smoking. Similar articles have been published to condemn cigarette smoking. Medical advancements have proven the correlation between cigarette smoking and lung cancer. But despite all of these, lung cancer has remained to be one of the most common diseases in the modern world so why do we still smoke.

Surgeon General Luther Terry issued a landmark concluding, for the first time, that smoking is a direct cause of lung cancer, heart disease, and emphysema in 1964 and then again on May 27, 2004 the U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona released a new comprehensive report on smoking and health, revealing for the first time that smoking causes diseases in nearly every organ of the body. Published 40 years after the surgeon general's first report on smoking, which concluded that smoking was a definite cause of three serious diseases, this newest report finds that cigarette smoking is conclusively linked to diseases such as leukemia, cataracts, pneumonia and cancers of the cervix, kidney, pancreas and stomach so why do we still smoke?

Cigarettes' most common ingredient is nicotine. Nicotine is more addictive than heroine, which is in fact, a prohibited drug in most parts of the world. Aside from heroine, doctors ranked nicotine ahead of alcohol and cocaine in terms of dependence. Indeed, research has shown that smoking four cigarettes a day can induce life-long addiction to nicotine.

The Cigarette manufactures are not helping according to this report from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, they are one of only 3 states that require tobacco companies to submit reports. What they found is, from 1998 to 2004 the amount of nicotine in a cigarette has increased steadily, the study showed that regardless of brand that the amount of nicotine that is actually delivered to the smokers lungs has increased significantly overall, nicotine yields increased ten percent. Marlboro, Newport, and Camel, the three most popular brands with young smokers, all delivered significantly more nicotine, and Kool menthol increased twenty percent. With all this new information why do we still smoke?

Maybe it's because people who smoke tend to see smoking as a part of their personality, as something that they cannot live without. That is a clear sign of addiction. And the addiction to chemicals, which in the case of nicotine, is considered a sickness.

What adds to the addiction to smoke cigarettes is the psychological pleasure or satisfaction a smoker gains when puffing a cigarette. Smokers describe smoking as a "pat-on-the-back" after a hard day's work. One smoker confesses that it is not the taste of the cigarette; it is actually the sense of satisfaction that you get from it that keeps you smoking. Studies have also shown that depression is twice as common to people who smoke against those who do not smoke. Some also use cigarettes as an ersatz activity to pass time and be patient. Just like in war movies, when a soldier is waiting for the signal to attack, he is seen holding a gun in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

Nicotine triggers the smoker's brain to be more efficient in processing information. It also reduces anxiety and induces euphoria. Researches have also shown that nicotine induces alertness and arousal, and sedation and relaxation based on the dose of nicotine intake. These effects, though, do not outweigh the harmful effect of nicotine addiction, which is lung cancer, and possibly other ailments, which will all eventually lead to death, so why do we still smoke?

People who cannot stop smoking may see it the other way around. They may be blinded by the short-term effects of nicotine. Aside from nicotine, smokers rarely know that a cigarette contains acetylene (fuel used in welding), cyanide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide, all of which are harmful chemicals. These chemicals are also used as poison, so why do we still smoke?

Psychosocial factors also contribute to why people continue to smoke. People surrounded by people who smoke, like family and friends, can soon develop the habit of smoking. And as its addictive nature, the smoker will have a hard time quitting the habit. An environment permissive and indifferent towards cigarette smoking will produce significant numbers of smokers.

Recently, researchers have reported that genetic variables also play a role on why people keep on smoking. These genetic variables affect the tendency of a person to smoke to the chances of quitting.

Given the many facts and figures related to the hazards of smoking cigarettes, the percentage of smokers has not experienced any considerable decrease. In fact, it continues to increase. The World Health Organization has estimated that by year 2020, tobacco will kill more people than any single disease in the world.

Educating people about the dangers of smoking doesn't seem to help. For some smokers, thinking that smoking is directly related to lung cancer and eventually death is a myth yet to be proven.

I don't know the answer to why do we still smoke, I do know that smoking is not only a habit but in fact that smoking is also an addiction, and sooner or later, this will eventually cause death,so why do we

How to Stop Smoking

So how do you maintain your resolve to quit when everywhere you look you see someone lighting up? How do you deal with the personal conflicts that can develop when you quit but your family, friends and co-workers don't?

First, you must acknowledge the fact that you may be all alone in your efforts to quit smoking. This solitude may be frustrating and counter-productive but you must accept the fact that the people around you are not going to quit smoking just because you are. In fact, they may try to coerce or encourage you to start smoking again. When you quit you may be placing pressure to quit smoking, however unintentional, on the people in your life . They may resent it or be frightened by your quitting. Their natural, perhaps unconscious, response may be to make quitting more difficult for you.

So prepare yourself for the loneliness you may feel when you quit. Prepare yourself for the backlash that you may receive from the smokers around you. Be prepared to forgive and forget.

Next, take time to talk to the smokers in your life. Ask them for a few minutes to discuss the fact that you are quitting smoking. Sit down and let them know how very important quitting is to you. Tell them that you need their support and ask them to be considerate whenever they want to smoke. Make sure they understand that you are quitting for you, not for anyone else. Make sure they understand that you do not expect them to quit because you are quitting. Invite them to quit with you but make it clear that quitting must be their own decision.

Lay out some ground rules that everyone can live with, regarding where and when they will smoke. Make it clear that you don't expect them to totally change their smoking habits, but that you need cooperation to help you quit. Set clear times and locations for them to smoke, or make sure you have someplace you can comfortably retreat to, should the smoker in your life need to light up. Make sure you have something to distract your attention, in another room, if someone is smoking near you. Start a new hobby or have a book on-hand, whenever you have to get away from the smoke.

When you get together with friends, you may find that the activities you participate in naturally involve smoking. Try going to a bar or bowling alley without having smoke all around you (unless you live in an area where smoking is banned indoors)! You may find it necessary to adjust the types of things you do with your friends, to help you avoid being placed in a smoking situation. Try activities that are outdoors, or that involve exercise. Go places where smoking isn't allowed. If your friends are truly your friends, they'll understand and want to accommodate your needs.

Avoiding smoke at work may be difficult if your workplace allows smoking indoors. If necessary, request that your work area be moved to a non-smoking portion of your office. You may also ask to have your entire office declared "smoke-free." Consider getting an air filter to help remove the smell of smoke where you work.

If you have grown accustomed to your smoking breaks and the smoking buddies at your workplace, you face another type of withdrawal besides nicotine withdrawal: friendship withdrawal. Chances are, if you've worked someplace with a designated smoking area for any length of time, that you have made quite a number of friends or smoking buddies. If you're going to quit smoking successfully, you're going to have remove yourself from the smoking area. Naturally, this means removing yourself from the friends you've made. Realize, however, that just because you don't smoke with these people, you don't have to stop being friendly. Let your smoking buddies know that you are quitting, and that you won't be joining them any longer. But also let them know you wish to continue your friendship. Exchange phone numbers if necessary, and try to get together for lunch or other times convenient to both of you.

Quit Smoking Tips and Medications

It's not just the physical addiction to the nicotine that makes it seem nearly impossible to quit smoking.

There's also a psychological need to have a smoke at certain times of the day.

For example, many smokers feel compelled to light up after a meal, while chatting on the phone, during rush hour traffic, or after completing a vigorous work-out. Their mind becomes accustomed to linking a specific activity or task to smoking. Even a certain time of day can bring on the urge.

While they may be able to cut back at other times of the day, they just can't seem to quit smoking when it comes to that particular time or task.

By recognizing what activities trigger your smoking habit, you can learn to better deal with the problem and increase your chances of stopping smoking altogether. If you view certain tasks as unpleasant or stressful, it's very possible your smoking serves as a relaxation technique for dealing with those situations.

Make a Commitment to Quit Smoking

In order to stop smoking, the first and most important step is to make a personal commitment to end your bad habit.

Although this may seem obvious, many smokers truly do not wish to quit smoking. While their spouse, children, or boss may constantly nag them to quit, stopping smoking is not one of their own top priorities. They may attempt to quit smoking on several occasions, but each attempt is usually short lived.

In Order to Quit Smoking, Examine Your Habits

Once you've made an honest commitment to stop smoking, next you need to review your personal situation.

Start by calculating the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. Do you smoke more during the week than on the weekend? If so, make a note of that and all your other smoking routines.

Create a Stop Smoking Checklist

Before making an attempt to quit smoking, you may wish to keep a record of your smoking for one week beforehand.

List each time of day you have a cigarette and tally your numbers at the end of each day. Look for certain patterns in your smoking. Do you smoke twice as much during the evening hours? Are you more likely to light up at social events than when at home alone?

Partner Up With a Friend to Quit Smoking

Some folks may be able to quit smoking cold turkey but they are in the minority. Pair up with a friend who is also trying to kick the habit or seek the encouragement of a former smoker.

While your spouse may offer kind words of support, it's very difficult for a non-smoker to grasp the willpower and strength needed to successfully quit smoking.

The Ripple Effect of Stopping Smoking

How Bad Habits Run in Packs

Does smoking encourage other addictive behaviors? Here's the cold, hard truth: a large percentage of smokers engage in other unhealthy habits such as alcohol consumption, drinking too much coffee, overeating, and even gambling.

How many smokers do you know who absolutely must have a cup of java with their morning cigarette? What about that cloud of smoke hanging over the lounge or bar?

Think for a moment about your daily routine and the things you do while smoking. Do you have any other addictive or compulsive habits that seem to go hand in hand?

If you answered yes, don't fret. By taking the first step towards stopping smoking, you'll find it easier to eliminate other harmful habits.

One Addiction At A Time

The secret to success is to tackle your first goal of quitting smoking before attempting to work on any other addictive habits.

You'll also want to avoid adopting any new bad habits or behaviors during the first few weeks you wage battle against nicotine. Many people find themselves unintentionally substituting food as a replacement for cigarettes as they try to quit smoking.

To make matters worse, the types of food or drink they usually crave the most are high calorie sweets and snack foods or sugary soft drinks. Unfortunately the end result is often a noticeable amount of weight gain within a few months. While they may have succeeded in quitting smoking, they now have to deal with excess weight and all the related health problems.

Beat The Physical And Psychological Addiction So You Can Stop Smoking

In order to quit smoking, you need to know what causes or contributes to your addictive behaviors. When smokers talk about their inability to stop smoking, they'll often mention an overpowering nicotine craving.

Although there's no doubt that smoking causes a physical addiction in the body, smokers experience a psychological dependence too. This mental dependence can be just as challenging to overcome.

Consider the following scenario:

A man who has smoked for twenty years finally decides to quit smoking. He experiences a great deal of frustration and anxiety for the first three weeks as he tries to stop smoking. But gradually, he succeeds in kicking his smoking addiction.

However, several months after this success he learns that his company is downsizing and he is under great pressure to complete additional new tasks while his job is hanging in the balance. As the stress begins to get unbearable, his urge to smoke returns stronger than ever.

Although the nicotine is gone from his bloodstream, his mind still remembers the pleasant, relaxing feeling associated with smoking. He mentally links smoking with relief from stress. Those two things, stress and smoking, are wired together in his emotional fusebox. In order to cope with this new stress, he resorts to old behaviors.

Why Quitting Smoking is Harder For Some People

If you've compared notes with other smokers, you know that some of them simply decided to quit smoking and did it. Cold turkey. No regrets. Then there are those who struggle for years, stopping smoking only to resume again. And again.

Why do some people have so much trouble and stress when trying to stop smoking while others seem to sail through it? Many scientists and physicians believe this is strongly related to the individual's mental well-being and mindset.

People who have trouble trying to stop smoking often have personal beliefs that are self defeating. A person may have every intention of stopping smoking but if they don't have the correct, positive mindset the task may seem nearly impossible and backsliding inevitable.

Negative Beliefs Make It Harder to Quit Smoking

The following list contains some self defeating thoughts and behaviors that can hinder your goal of stopping smoking. These negative attitudes can make it increasingly difficult to break any type of bad habit or addiction, whether it's smoking, gambling, drinking, or some other unwanted habit.

Effects Of Stop Smoking

There is enough literature present everywhere and you would have to be living on another planet to miss it, and indeed a statutory warning of smoking being injurious to health is plastered on the very cigarette packet you use.

But just to start the record, let me reiterate what all diseases your smoking habit may cause. The smoke you take in directly enters the respiratory system, so that is where your health depreciation will begin. Emphysema, bronchitis and a general difficulty in breathing are the most common ones. If you have asthma, then your smoking habit could greatly aggravate it.

If you have diabetes, the nicotine in the cigarette can make your blood sugar levels go up, and you know very well what kind of complications diabetes mellitus can cause on its own. And, of course, we should not forget the cancers. Smoking increases the risk of several types of cancers, most notably oral cancer and lung cancer.

Hence, one of the most major effects of stop smoking will be that you will be able to live a healthier life. But that is certainly not all. There are many things you will get that you might not even have thought about. Here are some of these hidden effects of stop smoking that you will be able to enjoy:

An Improved Family Life - The first positive effect of your smoking cessation will be evident in the way your own family reacts with you. Your partner might appreciate you better too, and so will your children. If you have mainly nonsmokers in your family, then you might have also been an object of ridicule when you were a smoker. As soon as you give up smoking, though, they will appreciate you for your determination and coming out of the vice.

An Improved Social Life - Your friends will appreciate you better too. Remember that there are always more nonsmokers than smokers. So, there is all chance you are among the few smokers - if there are any at all - in your social circle. That could have also been the reason for you to miss out on invitations and being generally left out from the group. Welcome yourself back in your social circle again by giving up the damaging smoking habit.

An Improved Career - The nicotine in the cigarette can interfere with your brain receptors. That would lead you to lose focus from your work, and could take a heavy toll on your professional life. When you are able to get yourself rid of the habit, you will find a marked improvement in the way you work, and your earnings will certainly go up.

stopping smoking

Quitting Smoking

Psychologically you gain better self-esteem and hence leaving space for career improvements, socially you will never feel like an outcast again in public places such as shopping malls and restaurants, and financially you may get to save more money which, when added up may amount to the price tag of a nice home!

Think the damages done by smoking irreversible? Not really. Your body loves you, and just within the first 20 minutes after you quit smoking, it initiates an auto-healing process to restore your heart rate and blood pressure to normal. Oxygen levels return to normal after 8 hours. Your lungs start to clear out mucous and other smoking debris, while carbon monoxide will be completely purged out from the body on the next day.

Shortly after quitting smoking you will suffer from nicotine withdrawal and an intense craving for cigarettes, which reach a peak on the third day. This is the most crucial time for your smoking cessation efforts, and will determine its success or failure. Only strong will power and determination can effectively curb this irritation. Once you overcome it, nicotine is permanently out of your body in Day 4 (though nicotine addiction may still persist for years)

Just a couple of months after you quit smoking, you'll notice your lung function increases. Perhaps you can now walk up a flight of stairs without gasping for air. Nine months later you'll no longer cough as much and you're capable of taking deep breaths. This is because the cilia in your lungs are able to move the mucus out so they function better to clean them and to clear out infections.

Over the course of time, you'll find yourself getting along with more people. Foul odor no longer clings to your hair and clothes, your yellowish nails and teeth will be something in the past, and no one will ever shun you again out of fear for the consequences of second-hand smoke. Your skin will now have ample of room to repair itself (tobacco damaged your physical appearance and caused premature aging), and without doubt you will be much more pleasant to look at than before.

When you're celebrating your first year after quitting smoking, you should toast the fact that your risk of coronary heart disease, lung and pancreatic cancer are cut in half from what it was when you were labeled a smoker - and that your lifespan can perhaps be extended by 20% under normal circumstances.

stopping smoking

Fasting Can Help You to Quit Smoking

It is true that the practice of fasting might well embody one of the most adept methods you can employ to help you in your own ongoing campaign to stop smoking. It will virtually for certain strengthen your concentration and also step-up your self determination. An awfully big number of people who smoke plainly feel that they can not quit smoking when in truth they really can be victorious.

Numerous religions and cultures regularly practice fasting on a regular basis, and it's almost without a doubt worth you looking at employing the methods of fasting as elaborated below if you are attempting to break the smoking habit for good.

To successfully stop smoking you will more than likely want to fast for a period of 72 hours and you ought to fast on carrot juice or water and boiled brown rice for 3 sequential days. If you are on of those people who find fasting to be really difficult discover that you can't manage 72 hours of straight fastiing then it may be worth tryingto fast for just one day each week for three calendar weeks, or try fasting for three days as close together as you can comfortably achieve. This technique can by tested “as is” or together with any other quit smoking tool of your choosing. The fasting system has operated with a considerable success rate for a lot of individuals who can now proudly call themselves "non smokers", there is nothing to be lost by trying this technique so please consider at least giving it a trial run.

Stop Smoking Techniques

1. Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a safe and natural state of awareness that allows you to use the power of your subconscious mind to quickly change habits and control behaviors. Hypnosis has one of the higher success rates compared to other methods as long as you work with a professional Certified Hypnotist and having a strong desire to quit. In many cases this can be accomplished in just one session.

2. EFT

EFT is an emotional version of acupuncture without the needles. You tap on certain meridian points to balance the energy system in your body. EFT is simple to learn, gentle and easy to use, can be used anywhere, only takes minutes, and has such great results. EFT is most effective when used in conjunction with another stop smoking method.

3. Prescription drugs

Various prescription drugs (Chantix, Zyban, Nicotrol) have helped many people to quit smoking. The success rates are not as high as some of the other methods, and the possible negative side effects can be intense. Talk to your Doctor for more information.

4. Nicotine Replacement

Gum, patches, lozenges are all types of nicotine replacement products. These products tend to have a fairly low success rate, and may have some potential negative side effects. They are most effective when used in conjunction with another stop smoking method or program. Before trying any nicotine replacement product please consult your Doctor.

5. Cold turkey

This is the most popular stop smoking method, but has the lowest success rate. Many people fail, because in order to be successful at quitting cold turkey you need to be 100% committed. Having a smoking cessation plan will increase your chance of success.

6. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient chinese treatment that involves balancing the natural energies in the body by placing needles into certain meridian points. This helps curb the desire to smoke. Being successful with acupuncture may require multiple treatments and a strong desire to quit. There is not enough scientific evidence to determine the success rate of acupuncture.

7. Laser therapy

Low level laser is a modern day version of acupuncture. When the laser is applied to certain points on the face, ears, and hands, it releases endorphins that helps reduce the stress associated with cravings. The FDA ruled that the use of low level laser is a safe and non-significant risk. As with acupuncture, there is not enough scientific evidence to determine the success rate of low level laser therapy.

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Stop Smoking Support

Apparently, stop smoking support begins within yourself. You have to be ready to quit, and committed to do so for good. Many stop and start quite a few times before they can finally kick the habit. If you fail once or twice, don't give up. Keep going until you are done with cigarettes for good. The stop smoking support you get from within is going to help you when you are all alone. You can’t have others around you all of the time, and you certainly don’t want to call friends at three AM to talk you out of lighting up.

Today, the treatment industry and the recovery community are returning to the original positions. Smoking is recognized as a drug addiction on a par with other substance addictions, and is being treated accordingly. That being said, your friends can otherwise be great sources of stop smoking support. They are the ones that are going to be very honest with you, and they are going to be hard on you if you ask them to be. Some are more passive and do not want to upset you. However, most will do what you say if they ask you to take away something if you light it up, or to do something to get your mind off of your craving. This type of stop smoking support is easier than you think. If you can resist the urge for five minutes, it can fade away and you are fine. However, those five minutes may feel like hours if you are struck with a craving.

Well, if your state has a quit line, you can probably get stop smoking support. New York State has one, and many of the other ones in the US have them as well. These should be toll free numbers, and many are funded, in part, by settlements from lawsuits against tobacco companies. They can give you the stop smoking support that you need, and they can also see if you are eligible for some of the tools you can use to quit like gum or patches. You can get these free at times, or perhaps at a nice discount through such a help line.

Yes, through online you can find also stop smoking support on your own. You can also find facts and figures about smoking. You may also find some stop smoking support by thinking about how much you really spend each month on cigarettes. You are probably going to be shocked when you see the total. Think about what you could do with that money otherwise. That can really help when nothing else does.

When I was a smoker, I have tried everything I can think to quit. I started smoking when I was 16 years old, and I think perhaps this was part of my problem. It was one of those things where my friend wanted me to try one, and it became the cool thing to do. I have not given up, but nothing I have tried thus far has been very successful. Teen smoking is a huge issue for a lot of people, and I know that my daughter will be more susceptible to starting if I don’t stop soon.

I know that you probably seen some ads on television that are devoted to stopping teen smoking. Some of these ads are quite blunt about what smoking can do to you, and others expose how the tobacco industry seems to target teenagers. Makes a lot of sense to me, and I also understand why the tobacco companies don’t want to admit it. Teen smoking is a huge issue because it often leads to a lifetime of smoking. This is not something that any of us want for our children.

One of the best thing to stop smoking is to not smoke yourself. Another way is to make sure that you talk to your children about teen smoking as early as you can. If you are a smoker yourself, they may call you a hypocrite. There is a lot of truth to this statement, and that is why it is important that you stop smoking. If you are a smoker, and you want to talk your children about teen smoking, there are many resources on the Internet that can help you. Even if you still smoke yourself, show your children how hard you are trying to quit. This may help drive the message home.

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Stop Smoking Help

You may need help if you have been unsuccessful in your attempts to stop smoking. There are those moments when the withdrawal symptoms are too much to handle, or the cravings simply become too powerful to ignore.

These moments can occur even when you are using aids like nicotine gum, patches, or maybe even laser therapy or anti-smoking hypnosis. If you have a lapse and pick up a cigarette, you can quickly become a full-time smoker again.

Now days, if you get those lapses there are some natural herbal products available that can help you get through those periods. Remember the goal is to stop smoking completely, and make it as painless, and as easy as possible.

There are a variety of natural herbal-brand products around in tablet form that can help you if you are having a tough go of it. Some even has an accompanying homeopathic spray that can be applied directly to the tongue. The tablet and spray imitate the effects of nicotine, without putting any nicotine back into your system.

The premise is, if your craving for tobacco becomes particularly intense, you also utilize the spray. It’s a liquid oral spray that is quickly absorbed by the tongue into the body. A couple of applications of the homeopathic spray, a few times a day, accompanied by the recommended tablet dosage is designed to help you get through the craving periods, and to assist you to stop smoking.

Some products utilize Lobelia, also known as Indian tobacco as a key ingredient. It has the same effect on your nervous system as the effects of nicotine. But, it is suppose to be a much healthier substitution than nicotine supplements.

The idea is; that the nicotine in your system is flushed completely from your body, and ideally the craving for tobacco disappears with no side effects. The theory is: the product causes the taste of any tobacco product to be so unpleasant it kills the urge to cheat.

There are many products on the market to help you stop smoking. Some work, many do not, but it is in your best interest if you are serious about quitting to, at least look into the ones that are going to make it the least painful for you.

Stop Smoking Stay Slim

The two biggest problems most people face when trying to stop smoking are a fear of weight gain and adjusting to a new lifestyle. You know smoking is bad for you but so is being overweight and anxious. So how do you stop smoking and enjoy your new way of life? Firstly lets have a look at:

Why do people gain weight when they quit smoking?

The answer to this may seem obvious to you if you've quit before - you just tend to eat more to 'fill the gap' right?. But its a bit more scientific than this.

Smoking increases metabolism slightly:

• Smoking burns up to 200 calories a day in a heavy smoker

• Because smoking burns calories, metabolism is boosted (increased) slightly

• Nicotine is an appetite suppressant

When you quit smoking, a gain of between 5 and 10 pounds during the first few months is considered normal

Why do I want to eat more?

Smoking cessation throws our bodies into shock initially:

Increased appetite is a side effect of quitting tobacco for most people. One or more of the following reasons may be at play:

• Cigarettes as an appetite suppressant - Smokers often avoid between meal snacking by lighting up. Nicotine is a stimulant and may also interfere with the release of the hormone insulin. Insulin controls glucose levels in the blood. When this function is blocked, a person will become slightly hyperglycemic (too much sugar in the blood) and, as a result, the body and brain may slow down the hormones and other signals that trigger the feelings of hunger.

• Food as a replacement for smoking - early on a in a person's quit, the urge to smoke is frequent and uncomfortable. It's natural to look for something to ease the discomfort, and food is often used as a replacement. Not only does it fill the void left by the cigarette, food can be an emotional comfort, easing the pain of withdrawal.

Why do I fear losing my identity?

Ever stopped smoking and, even months later, find yourself grieving for the 'old you'?

The label 'smoker' can be an integral part of your image - especially if you started smoking at an early age.

Think of your image as a smoker. You may be surprised at how many of your qualities you associate with smoking, such as being outgoing, outspoken, able to let your hair down or not follow rules. This association of cigarettes and brands with particular qualities has been fuelled by images in the media over the years. In TV shows, films and documentaries, smoking has been associated with all sorts of qualities such as charm, allure, intellect, being slim, rebelliousness, strength and daring. Take a second to think of examples of these characters in the modelling, music or entertainment industries.

When you quit, you have to let go of these perceptions. You may also be letting go of a lifestyle centered around smoking and drinking in social situations (the two often go together).

Nicotine lowers anxiety temporarily

According to a psychologist called Hans Eysenck, Smokers tend to fall into three personality categories: Extroversion, neuroticism and psychoticism, with each of these personality traits linked to higher than average stress levels. In effect, smokers 'self medicate' with nicotine to bring their anxiety levels down to an acceptable level.

There are also works based on the Sensation Seeking Theory which is concerned with people's needs for new and varied experiences, and those that follow the theoretical model of the Big Five traits of personality. Additionally, it appears that Type A individuals with high trait anxiety view smoking as a way to stimulate themselves, whereas Type Individuals claim they smoke in order to relax.

learn to quit smoking

Stop Smoking for Yourself

All those points at first glance look like plain and plausible queries yet the whole point is, YOU must have a strong desire to stop smoking because YOU would like to stop, only YOU with no exterior coercion, coercion from a partner friend or loved one will only serve in generating further tenseness and maybe make it more probable that you will reach out for a cigarette!

The fact that it is regarded as being well-nigh suicidal to continue smoking cigarettes is known by everyone around the world, the risks to health are enormous and researchers continually discover new risks. Add the cost of buying pack after pack of cigarettes to your finances and no-one should need much more grounds stop their smoking habit.

Ask any person who smokes and almost certainly they will acknowledge that stopping this "cycle of events" is not as simple as it sounds, the individual who is attempting to cease smoking has to piece together an all-encompassing campaign plan. With a suitable plan in situ the routine of smashing the habit of needing nicotine can get to feel more instinctive, with a bigger probability of succeeding.

So, you want to put together a plan of action but are unsure where to begin? Well to word it plainly:

How seriously do you desire to cease smoking?

Do you genuinely wish to stop in the least?

Are you merely trying to stop smoking to save a few dollars?

Are you trying to quit just because someone else is pressuring you to quit??

The trouble is just knowing about of all these different dangers risks and downsides Is not always sufficient to bring forth enough self-will to work with the information and break the habit permanently, every smoker will admit to thinking to themselves "Next week I'll stop smoking".

A surprising fact it is that contrary to the educational programs and governmental advisory systems youngsters nevertheless continue taking up the habit of smoking tobacco, find themselves hocked and are follow the same trail to destruction as their parents and elders.

It is not important to the issue whether smoking is considered to be just a habit or an actual physiological dependency; it is without a shadow of a doubt a progressively arduous chain of events to break away from. The Brain absorbs nicotine from tobacco and consequently convinces the body that it requires additional intakes of nicotine, therefore you feel the desire to smoke another cigarette and absorb yet another lung full of deadly chemicals, nicotine and tar which also goes on to whisked around the whole physical structure in the bloodstream.

Quit Smoking Benefit

The health benefits of quitting smoking are far greater than any risks from the small weight gain or any emotional or psychological problems that may follow quitting. Women who quit at age 35 increase their life expectancy by 6 to 8 years. It is never too late to gain benefits from quitting. When you quit smoking 3 - 9 months Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung functions are increased by up to 10%. Quitting at age 45 increases life expectancy by 6 or 7 years. Quitting at age 55 increases life expectancy by 3 to 6 years. Quitting at age 65 increases life expectancy by 1.4 to 4 years.

Women who smoke have a greater chance of certain pregnancy problems or having a baby die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Smoking is one of the most common forms of recreational drug use. Tobacco smoking is today by far the most popular form of smoking. Nicotine is a drug found naturally in tobacco. It is highly addictive as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Over time, a person becomes physically and emotionally addicted to, or dependent on, nicotine. Quitting smoking is not easy, but you can do it. When you quit smoking, the benefits begin within minutes of your last cigarette. Some powerful reasults for quit smoking.

Smoking is bad for your health. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. Smoking is a practice where a substance, most commonly tobacco, is burned and the smoke tasted or inhaled. Smoking not only harms your health but it hurts the health of those around you. Exposure to secondhand smoke (also called environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoking) includes exhaled smoke as well as smoke from burning cigarettes. Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. It is also responsible for many other cancers and health problems. These include lung disease, heart and blood vessel disease, stroke and cataracts.

You will know you can succeed at difficult taks and take more control of your life. Quitting helps you believe in yourself. Quitting smoking has major and immediate health benefits for men and women of all ages. Benefits apply to people with and without smoking-related disease. The excess risk of developing heart disease as a result of smoking may be reduced by as much as half in the year or two after quitting. Women who stop smoking before pregnancy or during the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy reduce their risk of having a low birth-weight baby to that of women who never smoked.

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Stop Smoking Fast

Consider a Quit Smoking Program:- A good quit smoking program should help you get through the difficult time you will experience when you stop smoking. If you have friends who have given up smoking ask them if there are any quit smoking programs which really helped them. In particular a good program should help you cope with the cravings, reduce the withdrawal symptoms and address the weight gain that often occurs when you stop smoking. Most importantly the program should be right for you as an individual. Like with quit smoking products a good program will help but strong desire and willpower are still required.

Try Herbal Products:- Herbal supplements can help remove the harmful toxins from your body that cigarette smoke creates. They can also reduce weight gain, restlessness and cravings, all of which are associated with stopping smoking. Herbal supplements are available in health food shops, pharmacy chains and on the Internet. Like with many other suggestions in this article herbal supplements will help but they will not make you quit smoking alone.

Try Stop Smoking Products:- As you are probably aware there are multiple gums, pills and patches which can help you give up cigarettes. If the cravings are getting too much then these products may be worth your consideration. However, remember that no single product can make you quit alone. Strong willpower is required too but they are a useful tool which can make stop smoking that little bit easier.

Think about the dangers to your Health:- When thinking about giving up smoking your health should be one of your primary concerns. Each cigarette contains over 4,000 chemicals and 43 of these are known to be cancer causing agents. Apart from causing damage to your lungs smoking can also lead to the development of mouth cancer, throat cancer, kidney cancer and skin cancer. Think to yourself, do you really want to invest your time and money in an activity which is damaging your body?

Don't Overthink It:- When people try to quit smoking one of the key reasons behind their failure is overthinking the issue. By thinking about how badly you want to stop smoking you are inadvertently making yourself think about cigarettes even more and not giving the cravings a chance to go away. If you make the decision to quit try to do other things to take your mind off the fact that you are actually giving up the cigarettes for good.

Think about the extra Money:- If you give up smoking you will have more money available to you. Depending on how much you smoke you could actually save a significant amount just by stopping smoking. Not spending this money on cigarettes will allow you to do other things such as go out to movies, clubs and restaurants, go on extra holidays, buy a new car, buy new things for your house or anything else you can think of. Surely this improved financial situation is a much better option than investing in potentially lethal cigarettes?

learn to quit smoking