Cigarette smoking is injurious to health” - so screams the hoardings,cigarette advertisements and ironically even the cigarette packet thatyou hold. Yet, smokers continue to smoke with the “thought” - thewarning is not for me.
When you smoke, with each puff of smoke that you inhale into yourlungs, you pollute your body with more than 2500 poisonous chemicalscapable of causing different types of cancers.
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The major contents of cigarettes are: - Nicotine - A highly addictive, colorless, poisonous drug derived from the tobacco plant and used as an insecticide (an insecticide, mind you!). It is the substance in tobacco to which smokers can become addicted.
- Carbon monoxide - A colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas.
- Tar - A solid residue of tobacco smoke containing byproducts of combustion. Yes, the same substance used to lay roads!
Not only do smokers poison themselves, they also end up poisoning those around them (nonsmokers) who sometimes inhale this smoke (passive or secondary smoking). These innocent people can include children - often your very own. |  Quit smoking
It is good for you and your family. |
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Complications of smoking
In women, smoking can lead to many complications: Shortened life span. - Cancer of the cervix, lungs or other organs.
- Heart disease.
- Infertility and other reproductive problems.
- Early Menopause.
Click here to view an animation on complications of smoking. | |
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Quitting smoking
These complications can be quite easily prevented by just quitting smoking. Taking a resolution to quit smoking is easy, but it is difficult to keep it. Nevertheless, it is not something that cannot be done. The good news is that, quitting smoking can reverse some of the bad effects that it has on your body. |
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Symptoms while trying to quit
While you try to quit smoking you may undergo a variety of withdrawal symptoms (see box) that can frustrate you. Be determined not to smoke even when these symptoms peak.
Tips to quit smoking
Quitting smoking has wonderful health benefits even if you have been smoking for years. Here are some tips to help you quit smoking once and for all:
- First, make up your mind to stop smoking. Think of the health benefits of leading a nicotine-free life.
- Not only do you help your own body by quitting—you give cleaner air for your children and family to breathe, you save money, you smell better and you live longer to protect and provide for your family.
- Team up with a friend to quit. If you are around smokers, tell them about your inclination to quit and if possible request them not to smoke in your presence.
- Knowing the withdrawal symptoms will help you too. Do not get frustrated. Exercise restraint when you feel the urge to smoke.
- Quit on a special day, such as your daughter or son’s birthday. This will help you remember the date that you quit and can make it easier to keep your promise of not smoking again. And every year you can celebrate your “cigarette-quitting” anniversary.
| | Withdrawal symptoms | | Craving for cigarettes | | Anxiety | | Depression | | Irritability | | Restlessness | | Getting angry for minor reasons | | Inability to fall asleep or keep asleep | | Drowsiness | | Inability to concentrate | | Hunger | | Tremor | | Sweating | | Dizziness | | Headaches | | Digestive problems |
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Benefits of quitting
The rewards of giving up smoking are many and they are instantaneous. Your body starts reversing much of the damage caused by smoking. Your surroundings will smell better. A few years after quitting, your risk of heart disease will be at par with a person who has never smoked a single cigarette. You will be around for a longer period of time to support, provide for and protect your loving children and family. And think of all the money you would save. But remember, it takes time and patience to quit a habit. One slip does not mean failure, it only means delay. So keep at it till you succeed. |
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