| When people talk about smoking, they usually refer to | | | | warning of the dangers of smoking. Yet still such an |
| the habit of smoking cigarettes which contain tobacco | | | | enormous number of people smoke. |
| that is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. Inhaling | | | | How to stop smoking? |
| the gas form of a substance is a very efficient way | | | | The problem with smoking is that it is addictive, both |
| of delivering drugs into a person's bloodstream and | | | | mentally and physiologically, so after starting to smoke |
| affects people very quickly. In case of smoking, the | | | | on a regular basis, it is habit which is hard to break free |
| inhaled substances affects the brain in a similar way | | | | of. However, there are several ways: |
| that endorphins and dopamines do; the brain | | | | |
| associates these with feelings of pleasure. | | | | 1. Using willpower: although this can work, this is |
| Consequently, smoking can be fun and is effectively a | | | | considered the hardest method and research has |
| legal recreational drug. | | | | shown that only 3-5% of attempts using only willpower |
| Number of one cause of death | | | | will be successful. It is an physiological addiction after all. |
| Unfortunately for smokers, the act of smoking has | | | | 2. Using psychotherapy/support groups: this can either |
| many and serious health effects: the burning tobacco | | | | be done by going to a licensed psychotherapist who |
| creates carbon monoxide which reduces the blood's | | | | specializes in smoking cessation, or receive it in the |
| ability to carry oxygen when inhaled into the lungs. | | | | form of CDs. |
| Furthermore, there are toxic elements in Tobacco that | | | | 3. Hypnosis: similarly to psychotherapy, by going to a |
| cause additional health damages. | | | | hypnotherapist who specializes in smoking cessation, it |
| Until a mere few decades ago, smoking was not | | | | is possible to quit smoking. |
| perceived to be an unhealthy habit. However, | | | | 4. Self hypnosis: just like the previous item, only using |
| countless studies have proven unarguably that | | | | CDs or MP3s that you can listen to on your own. |
| smoking tobacco can result in numerous diseases | | | | Supposedly very effective - I know two heavy |
| such as lung cancer, heart attacks and strokes. It can | | | | smokers who have successfully broken the habit using |
| also result in birth defects of unborn children (such as | | | | this method. |
| low birth weight) if a pregnant mother smokes. Finally, it | | | | 5. Self help books: this type of book can really help get |
| can even cause impotence, which although is not lethal, | | | | one in the appropriate mood and provide necessary |
| is never good news for any male. | | | | advice and sport. |
| In addition, there's the effect of second hand smoking. | | | | 6. Nicotine replacement therapy: this type of treatment |
| Bystanders, often children of a smoker, are affected | | | | helps with the cravings and withdrawal as the amount |
| as well (albeit to a lesser extent) without having | | | | of nicotine is gradually reduced over time. This could be |
| smoked themselves. So smoking cessation should be | | | | done using nicotine patches, nicotine sprays, nicotine |
| the goal of every smoker! | | | | gums, inhalers, etc. |
| Over a billion people worldwide smoke - an astonishing | | | | 7. Electronic cigarettes: these are devices that |
| number, considering the health risks, which are widely | | | | vaporize liquid nicotine. Although they contain nicotine, |
| known. In fact, in some countries (such as the UK) | | | | the resulting tar and carbon monoxide is much lower |
| every cigarette box has an almost ridiculous large | | | | than a standard cigarette. |