You smoke? You stink. Your clothes stink, your hair stinks, your breath stinks. And that’s not the worst of it. You don’t die because you stink. You die because you contract one of the many diseases and chronic conditions attributed to tobacco use. And it’s so preventable.
You’ve heard this before. You probably can spout the statistics. You might even call your cigarette a “cancer stick.” You know that almost a half million people succumb each year to smoking related diseases. That’s more than the number who die from car accidents, alcohol abuse, murder, drug abuse and AIDS combined.
About 90 percent of men and 80 percent of women diagnosed with lung cancer are smokers. In some part of the world a life is lost every eight seconds due to tobacco use. Imagine that! And yet, you continue to smoke. Are you nuts? Do you want to be a statistic? No.
Next Thursday, Nov. 17, is the Great American Smokeout. Use that day to either start on your path to quitting smoking, or to actually do the deed. Quit. It isn’t easy. Matter of fact it’s probably going to be the hardest thing you’ll ever do. So, don’t do it on your own. Talk to your medical provider about a cessation plan. Talk about Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Start telling yourself that you can kick this addiction.
Back in the ’50s the tobacco companies tried to convince the world that smoking was a habit, not an addiction. Oh no. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug classified up there with cocaine and heroin. It’s a potent psychoactive drug that induces euphoria, serves as a reinforcer of its use and leads to moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.
So you think you’re just an ordinary addict and going to stay one? Nah. Let’s give you some reasons to quit. Major diseases, many of which won’t kill you quickly include heart disease, stroke, blood clots, hardening of the arteries and cancers. Not only lung cancer but bladder, esophagus, kidney, pancreatic and cervical cancers are caused by smoking,
Smoking is responsible for 80 percent of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) cases, a collective term that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Tobacco is credited with hypertension, asthma, cataracts, periodontal disease, macular degeneration, bad breath and wrinkles. Yup, stop smoking and stop lowering your levels of vitamin A that supplies blood to your skin and stop being so pale.
Oh, and while we’re talking about blood supply, men in their 30s and 40s listen up. Use tobacco and increase your chances for erectile dysfunction by about 50 percent. Infertility issues in both sexes can be attributed to smoking and puffing during pregnancy can cause a myriad of problems for the fetus including being born prematurely or at term with a low birth rate.
Are you ready now? No. You always have an excuse. You say, “It stimulates me.” You feel that smoking gives you energy and keeps you going. Take a walk. That’ll keep you going.
“I want something in my hand,” you say. There are a lot of things you can do with your hands without lighting up a cigarette. Try doodling.
“But, it makes me feels good.” That’s the nicotine talking. Believe it, there are natural highs that don’t kill you.
“It’s a crutch,” you claim when you light up during a stressful event. There are many ways to cope with stress that won’t add to the stress of knowing you’re damaging your health. You say, “I’m hooked.” You’re right. Physically and psychologically. But your doctor can help with the physical side and you’re tough enough to deal with the mental.
If you say, “It’s part of my routine,” quitting should be relatively easy. Just put it down before you light it up. Change the words from “I am a social smoker” to “I’m a non-smoker.” Your body will thank you for it.
Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or by email at kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com. Source: www.cancer.org. or google “quit smoking.”
No comments:
Post a Comment