Good Ways To Quit Smoking

I am a quitter - for more than a year

2011-10-16T05:45:00.000-07:00

It is already more than a year that I don’t smoke, and it’s time to share experience and thoughts with you – people who are about to quit smoking. I can’t say that it was hard to quit smoking, and I can’t say that it was to easy – it was like I have taken a goal to achieve and managed to do this.

To decide whether and what you want to achieve is the first step one must take. So I have done this way. To set a goal was… ahah… rather hard I want to say. But my girlfriend has met my cessation like flowers in May, so I was very happy she was happy with me. And this underlined my goal: I WANT TO QUIT SMOKING BECAUSE I WANT TO LIVE.

And because I can do it.

Lots of funny things happened to me during last year – most were connected with my friends who thought I am still a smoker – their presented me cigarette holders, pipes, some expensive sorts of tobacco and so on! Just imagine how bizarre and uncomfortable it was. I knew that they will understand for I have not smoked at all, but I still have to place a pleasant look on my face.

By the way, have you got such things ever happened to you? It’s not very convenient, is it?

So it is already more than a year. Can’t believe.

Here is another tip for quitters: try breathing exercises. Inhale deeply, than hold the air for as long as you can, wait until your head will slightly go round, and then breath. Try doing it several times, and every time you feel you want to smoke. You will not only remember that smoking acts on your lungs badly, but also develop certain breathing powers.

Cheers and don’t give up! I will continue with my study and smoking tips!

Alcohol As A Hazard Of Heard Diseases

2011-10-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

After smoking, excess alcohol is the second most common cause of preventable death. Alcohol is toxic to virtually every organ in the human body, but when consumed in moderate amounts, it is detoxified by the liver and does little or no harm. Alcoholic beverages contain ethyl alcohol (ethanol), which is metabolized in the body to acetaldehyde. In large amounts, both ethanol and acetaldehyde interfere with normal functions of organs throughout the body, including the heart.

There is a significantly higher incidence of high blood pressure among those who consume more than 2 ounces of ethanol a day (which translates into 4 ounces of 100-proof whiskey, 16 ounces of wine, or 48 ounces of beer). Abrupt withdrawal of alcohol from those consuming large amounts on a regular basis may cause the condition known as delirium tremens (DTs), which is associated with a significant risk of cardiac arrest.

Binge drinking can provoke arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)-frequently in the form of atrial fibrillation-in people with no previous symptoms of heart disease. This alcohol-induced rhythm disturbance is most common among people who have chronically abused alcohol. It is sometimes called “holiday heart” because it often occurs over the holidays or on weekends, after consumption of more alcohol than usual. People who are deprived of sleep are susceptible to developing “holiday heart” from drinking too much at one time, even if they do not regularly abuse alcohol.

Alcohol is thought to provoke arrhythmias by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. Alcoholics tend to have higher blood levels of the chemical messengers of this system such as epinephrine (adrenaline). Deficiency of the trace mineral magnesium, which often occurs with chronic alcohol abuse, may also play a role.

Up to a third of all cases of a type of heart disease called cardiomyopathy are attributed to excessive drinking. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy occurs most often in middle-aged men. In this disorder, the heart muscle (myocardium)—particularly the right and left ventricles—enlarges and becomes flabby. As the working cells deteriorate, they become more sparse, and are replaced by fibers of connective tissue in the spaces between the cells (interstitial fibrosis). Eventually, alcoholic cardiomyopathy can result in heart failure, in which the heart does not pump blood efficiently to all parts of the body. Fatigue, shortness of breath during exercise, and swelling in the ankles are its most common symptoms. The heart’s inability to send blood efficiently to the kidneys, where excess salt and water are normally filtered out, means the body begins to retain salt, and thus water. This in turn raises blood volume and causes a backup of fluid into tissues such as the lungs (hence the breathing difficulty).

When individuals with congestive heart failure caused by alcoholic consumption continue to drink, their prognosis is poor. In contrast, those who abstain from alcohol raise their chances of reversing the progress of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, especially if the problem is detected early Their hearts may return to normal size, and they can live for many years. In fact, patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy who abstain from drinking have a better prognosis than do patients with cardiomyopathy from other causes.

Physicians once believed that malnutrition was the sole mechanism by which alcohol damaged the heart. In extreme cases, alcoholics consume too many calories as drink and not enough as food, and they become malnourished. This could cause depletion of the protein in heart muscle. However, it is now recognized that in most cases, alcohol damages the heart even in the absence of malnutrition.

Allen Carr’s easy way to quit smoking

2010-05-26T07:47:00.000-07:00

Probably there is not so much people who haven’t got acquainted with information about Allen Carr’s “Easy Way to Quit” book yet. I bet you have heard about this book at least.

So – what’s about it, you will ask?

Many people state that this book helps to quit smoking for real – even those people, who smoked while reading, smashed their packs after reaching the end and forgot about smoking forever. In this very book Allen Carr simply gathered everything what one can tell about cigarettes.

Using simple language, Allen tells us why people continue to smoke despite all negative peculiarities and obvious disadvantages. His method is declared to be the opposite to willpower method – one that haven’t helped Allen to end with his bad habit.

He tells us it’s fear that prevents from quitting and keeps one hooked on smoking tobacco. Here what they say.

Allen Carr’s Easyway Method is successful because:

1. It removes the smokers’ conflict of will.

2. There are no bad withdrawal pangs.

3. It is instantaneous and easy.

4. It is equally effective for long-term heavy smokers and light smokers.

5. You need not gain weight.

6. You will not miss smoking.

But books and videos by Allen Carr are not everything he has given to the world.

There are his Stop Smoking Clinics worldwide, where people are treated, take part in meetings with other smokers.

Other books of his also help people lose weight and stop with alcohol easy.

Stars help to quit smoking

2010-05-04T08:55:00.000-07:00

Through history of mankind stars helped people to predict future, guess if whether this or that will happen, determine where and when it’s better to plant crops and so on. Why not just help us quit smoking, yo, stars! And – yes – stars are able to help in quitting.

Astrology – is a “science” completely based on position of the stars, planets, phases of the moon. Depending on this circumstances one can quit smoking as well, if he or she follows advices of the competent astrologist. Christopher Warnock – author of RenaissanceAstrology web-site – tells us that electional astrology can help in picking a date which will be the best to start with quitting smoking. This can help to stop smoking forever, according to Warnock’s words.

Mars planet is considered to be the ruling planet over tobacco, so it’s position also must be taken in account. When the moon diminishes – it is the best time to start activity aimed on elimination of something.

Completing the whole picture with these factors and other factors (like date and time of your birthday), the astrologist will tell you the date when it’s best to start your quit-smoking process.
Christopher Warnock stresses that with such knowledge one will be able to quit smoking with no withdrawal symptoms.

Astrologists also say that it is very important to be strong in your desire to quit, make some preparations psychologically. Other authors also include position of Saturn and moon in their stop-smoking date determination.

Thus one can certainly ask for help of an astrologists – you never know – maybe it’s the little thing that was ever absent in your quitting scheme.

Genes and smoking

2010-04-29T00:26:00.000-07:00

New research conducted recently suggested that smoking habit may be connected to genes. People who feel that it is too hard to quit their habit for good may be just suffering from their genetic. This research selected three genetic mutations that increase number of cigarettes one smokes a day.

Few of mutations are closely connected with starting with the habit from the early age, and one – with cessation. Those genetic changes are linked to lung cancer development and nicotine addiction.

Newest research had shown that earlier results are true and there is even more to find.

Dr Kari Stefansson, executive chairman of deCODE (Icelandic company), that took part in the research, and one of the researchers from 23 institutions in a dozen countries, said: "Smoking is bad for anyone's health. It is even worse for some, and today's discoveries continue to strengthen our ability to identify who those people are and give them a compelling additional reason to quit.

"We plan to incorporate these SNPs into our testing products to do that. What we do not yet know is exactly how this additional risk is conferred. To some degree these variants suggest that those for whom nicotine is more addictive are driven to smoke more, increasing their exposure to environmental risk. But given the quite substantial corresponding increases in risk of lung cancer it may also be that they make people more susceptible to the noxious effects of tobacco smoke.

"What is clear is that these variants - which are all near genes that encode nicotine metabolizing enzymes and receptors - are giving us a solid starting point for finding answers to advance personal and public health."

Though don’t blame your genes! It is always up to you to decide whether to smoke or not!

How to quit smoking easily

2010-04-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

I have thought that if whether my goal is to help people quit smoking with some interesting stories, it will be nice to share with you something that happened to me recently.

So this is a story with a moral in it (though I hate such stories). But this is the one.

Few days ago I was heading from my work. As always, I stopped on a bus stop and bought tea and “Snickers”, to make time before bus arrival pass faster. So I waited and drank my tea. Than I saw a man who was passing by with a cell phone near his ear and a cigarette in his mouth. Without a glance he had taken the rest of his cigarette and threw it aside. It’s a pity – there was a company of tuff guys, and cigarette hit one of them right in his forehead.

I won’t tell you what happened with that man – it was very… very-very cruel. Children could read this, so I won’t. You know – I thought that giving up smoking was a good idea after all. You never know, and so on.

But this is not the end!

At last my bus arrived and I got into it. Oh, that driver was smoking heavily – with cigarette stiffed in his mouth, he took money for the ride and blowed out smoke right in the passenger compartment.

When the bus started, this driver did not stop with his smoking. A big mistake. Tuff guy with burn on his forehead seemed to have a nervous shakedown. He rose up and went towards the bus driver. He took cigarette right out of driver’s mouth and threw it on the floor, crushed it with his sole. Than he took driver’s pack of “Camel” and crushed it too, and than he told driver that if he dare to smoke again, his head will be crushed as well.

Jez, that was hard! Never smoke uncarefully! :) Or better – let’s quit – together!

I am a quitter - for more than a year!

2010-04-16T05:45:00.001-07:00

Good ways to quit smoking issue #3

2010-04-11T02:35:00.000-07:00

Tips for quitting: 13

If you still feel that nicotine shortage makes you feel angry and depressed, and this disturbs you much – try nicotine substitutes first one or two weeks. They are nicotine plasters and gum. You will not suffers from physical addiction to smoking and after some time will be able to quit.

Tips for quitting: 14

Acupuncture is a natural way of treating nicotine addiction, painless and safe. Just a few operations will ease severity of such signs of nicotine addiction like psychological pressure, anxiety, depression, tensity and feeling of emptiness. Researches showed that acupuncture increase level of vital energy, creates positive look on life, productivity and helps to think clearly.

Tips for quitting: 15

Reward yourself for every day without a puff. For example, buy something useful – remember, while quitting you will save good money.

Tips for quitting: 16

Consult dietitian and follow diet during first few months after you will decide to quit smoking. Lots of smokers begin to gain weight trying to replace cigarettes with food.

Tips for quitting: 17

Don’t think that with quitting you deprive yourself of the biggest pleasure aiming to keep an indefinite “good health”. Very soon you’ll find another good ways of enjoinment.

Tips for quitting: 18

Define and accept your weaknesses. You should not blame yourself for you have fallen into nicotine addiction – even the best people have done this as well. Smoking has it’s emotional and other plusses, but minuses are much bigger.

Tips for quitting: 19

Smoke consciously, realize what you do. Say to yourself: “now I will smoke a cigarette”. This way you will create a good ground for quitting and manage to separate smoking from other activities like drinking coffee or having a meal.

Tips for quitting: 20

You have written about good ways to quit smoking. If you really have desire to quit, why don’t you celebrate it with throwing away your pack with cigarettes. There is no use in postponing it… again!

Good ways to quit smoking: issue #2

2010-04-04T05:16:00.000-07:00

Here is another… 7 good ways to quit smoking! I’ve decided to post 7 now, and 8 after some time. So all together it will be 4 posts – with previous one and my conclusion. Tips are easy so it is not hard to memorize them.

Tips for quitting: 6

Try to do something all the time. Especially first days of quitting. It’s good to find a job, if you have none, or if studying in a college still leaves to much free time for soul-searching and thoughts about cigarettes. With some intensive work you will also help yourself with problem of stress. Every time you become inflamed - try sports or any other physical work.

Tips for quitting: 7

Try to sleep more than usually. Every attempt to quit takes more than only your physical powers and mental strength – it exhausts your spirit and body. You organism needs every single minute of rest you can let yourself to spend. And when you sleep – you don’t think about cigarettes.

Tips for quitting: 8

Try to drink more water. Water helps to remove toxins from your body faster.

Tips for quitting: 9

Try to spend more time where there are no smokers or a special hall for those who doesn’t smoke. Such places are libraries and museums, bars for non-smokers.

Tips for quitting: 10

All the time give some work to your hands. It’s proved that one of the reasons why it is so hard to quit smoking for some people is that they are used to do something with their hands while waiting. If you want to take a cigarette, take something else: brush, banana – something.

Tips for quitting: 11

Lot’s of people like to smoke one after every big meal. When you’ve end with eating – rise, go and brush your teeth, and than leave for a walk. You must resist this enticement.

Tips for quitting: 12

Don’t be caught. After one cigarette there will be others one-one-one-one-one – and many. Don’t be unfaithful to yourself. If you have already got into such trap – just don’t repeat your mistake.

Try some of this good ways to quit smoking. What do you think about them?

Good ways to quit smoking

2010-03-31T06:07:00.001-07:00

I’ve decided to gather here 20 good ways to quit smoking. Maybe some of them you have already seen – I hope you’ll find at least one or three new ways. And completing a list of good ways to quit smoking can ease a process of decision making anyways. I’ll divide them into 4 posts, and 1 to make a conclusion. Here is the first one. Hope, you’ll enjoy it! :)

Tips for quitting: 1

Buy a big box with Chupa-Chups or something you can suck (no fun:). And try them, but not your cigarettes. If you are on work and not able to let yourself eat Chupa - chew gum. Replace one habit with another, that is not so harmful, and then quit both. Method looks funny, if you are not a blondy of 15 years old, but many people have left their bad habit for good.

Tips for quitting: 2

Give your pack to a friend, girlfriend or you wife/husband, and ask them to hide it from you. Tell them not to give it back even if you ask them to do it. And don’t buy new packs anymore.

Tips for quitting: 3

Try exercises! Physical of course. It may sound a little odd, but if you want a puff – just give some work to your muscles. Discard thought about smoking and replace them with thoughts about exercises that will make you feel better. Try this method with or without others, and thoughts about smoking will leave you for good, and you will also improve your state of health.

Tips for quitting: 4

Ask your friend, girlfriend, your neighbor or people you work with how they quitted smoking (if they had). Probably you’ll hear lots of personal ways, stories and advices – pick up few best and try them. These will be practical advised, which were proved in action.

Tips for quitting: 5

Try to cook. If you are a husband, your wife will be twice happy – you won’t smoke and will cook a breakfast for her. :) One of my friends has done this way – and succeed. Now I frequently visit him to eat a good dish or two.

Good ways to quit smoking

2010-03-31T06:07:00.000-07:00

I’ve decided to gather here 20 good ways to quit smoking. Maybe some of them you have already seen – I hope you’ll find at least one or three new ways. And completing a list of good ways to quit smoking can ease a process of decision making anyways. I’ll divide them into 4 posts, and 1 to make a conclusion. Here is the first one. Hope, you’ll enjoy it! :)

Tips on quitting: 1

Buy a big box with Chupa-Chups or something you can suck (no fun:). And try them, but not your cigarettes. If you are on work and not able to let yourself eat Chupa - chew gum. Replace one habit with another, that is not so harmful, and then quit both. Method looks funny, if you are not a blondy of 15 years old, but many people have left their bad habit for good.

Tips on quitting: 2

Give your pack to a friend, girlfriend or you wife/husband, and ask them to hide it from you. Tell them not to give it back even if you ask them to do it. And don’t buy new packs anymore.

Tips on quitting: 3

Try exercises! Physical of course. It may sound a little odd, but if you want a puff – just give some work to your muscles. Discard thought about smoking and replace them with thoughts about exercises that will make you feel better. Try this method with or without others, and thoughts about smoking will leave you for good, and you will also improve your state of health.

Tips on quitting: 4

Ask your friend, girlfriend, your neighbor or people you work with how they quitted smoking (if they had). Probably you’ll hear lots of personal ways, stories and advices – pick up few best and try them. These will be practical advised, which were proved in action.

Tips on quitting: 5

Try to cook. If you are a husband, your wife will be twice happy – you won’t smoke and will cook a breakfast for her. :) One of my friends has done this way – and succeed. Now I frequently visit him to eat a good dish or two.

An IDEA-L way to quit smoking

2010-03-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

Idea has made a human from a being. Idea is something in our head, something that makes us believe in miracles and power of human mind.

Idea will help us and tell us how to quit smoking. This is a good way to quit smoking. Our organism is ruled by our brain: weak mental call from the brain will not find the answer in our body, but strong emotional order saying: “You’ve got to forget about smoking and start a new life” will probably make the body “think” about leaving cigarettes for good. And strong order will appear when there is an idea.

How idea works in the heads of those who quit smoking? It’s a chaotic or not, but an ideological system of desires, motives and… yes, faith. You must believe you will quit smoking, only when you do, you can hope for a success.

Besides actions, you’ve got to have emotional basis of what you do. Idea of cessation lies in mind accompaniment for physical actions taken to fight tobacco addiction.

If one knows why he wants to quit smoking and what pluses it will give him, he will do it.

So, first:

1. Make a list of your motives with BIG RED LETTERS and stick it above your workplace or your bad.
2. Then make a list of people you don’t like – they have got to smoke. This way you will know that if quitting you’ll be much healthier than this people.
3. Every time you want to smoke, think about this good way to quit smoking and it’s basics – remember your motives first, then remember your desire to be better than bad people of yours.

Try not to smoke at all – this is a MUST. A cigarette with coffee or a cigarette after meal is forbidden now.

Commonplace trick about health losses of course will only work if you have already met with health losses.

Understand what is the main reason why you smoke – this is the reason why you started it. Then you will have an idea of what to fight and how.

Start now and follow the next issues.

Good way to quit smoking using calculator

2010-03-22T06:51:00.000-07:00

…or is it time to quit cigarette smoking?

I’ve remembered another way to quit smoking! I want to share it with you. The point is that you must take your cigarette pack, put it on a table (or on the flour, if you want) and then SMASH IT! This is not a way to quit, but a good beginning. And here is the way.

You can download calculator, which will count for you money you’ll get if you quit smoking.

Here it is: http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/calculate_convert/smokerscalculator.html

There you must write how much cigarettes you smoke every day, packet cost in every currency you like, your age, from what age you actually smoke and overall breaktime (if you had). Then you press a button – and it counts how much did you smoke from the time you started with this habit.

By the way, first let me ask you some questions. Have you ever tried to smoke cigarettes upside down – I mean to burn filter and then smoke? I have done it frequently when I was drunk, but someone told me that it can be a good way to fight the habit. I have some doubt about it, and what do you think?

Here what developers of the calculator write:

“Did you ever think about how much cigarettes you have smoked in your life? How much money you spent for that. How much money you will spend on it in next 20 years? Smoker’s calculator will simply calculate all this.”

System requirements are minimal, so you will probably set it on your computer without problems.

Developed by CBNINT, CostofSmoking is another calculator of such type. It is freeware for Windows OS. The purpose of using this application is also to tackle smokers where it is harder – on wallets. Smoking appears for us to be not cheap and costs quite a lot. CostofSmoking financial calculator will also indicate how much you have spent in smoking.

Girls quitting smoking!

2010-03-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

My girlfriend often asks me how to quit smoking. She has a little problem – she says that her will is too weak so she cannot quit. But Jenny wants to. She thoughts if I already quitted smoking I can help her with advice or tips on quitting.

So yesterday again she was filled with desire to quit smoking and to begin brand new life. We were walking down the road in the neighborhood, when she started showering me with common question – “but how did you quit smoking?!”, “why can’t I quit as well”, “why I always start smoking again and again and again, huh?” and so-so on, all her standard questions!

This time I thought I’ll answer her if she wants to know. :)

“To quit smoking, first you need to take your gum – yes, this one you chew – and then stick it to your shoe”

“Yes? Ok...” She was pretty serious.

“No, I’m joking! You’ve got to have desire to quit. First. Then you’ve got to understand, why do you want to quit – maybe you want to make my life easier, because your cessation is the only way to get rid of all your questions.”

“And then?”

“Then just stop smoking! Don’t think it will be like – oh, miracle, I’m out! This is a hard path. Just keep thinking about your purposes, proper state of health you’ll keep. You can talk to me whenever you like, but stop asking – do it.”

Do it. Searching for information about tobacco and smoking cessation is great – but don’t forget about taking action. My girlfriend has lot’s in common with many other people around the world who want to quit smoking. Lots of questions but no actions.

Also I told her about this weblog – Jenny was surprised, because she didn’t think I am able to do something regularly. I’m bit lazy. She was happy I’m doing this sort of things, because it helps people to quit she says.

Do you have people who stopped smoking within your close circle? If you smoke, do they help you with advice or actions?

How she quitted smoking

2010-03-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

I was sitting with Jane in a nice place near her house, eating and drinking coffee. She is a miracle – we are old friends; studied in college together. In those times we used to visit cinema together, sometimes drink whiskey and speaking on different themes. And we never slept together. So, we ARE friends.

She quitted smoking two years ago, and after we had spoken about our professional evolution, future plans, love affairs and politics she told me that she made it.

“Great. And how?” – These were my words.

“Hey. That WAS hard!”

First she tried to smoke herbal cigarettes instead of common tobacco cigarettes. According to her words, “their taste was awful and then someone told me that they are as harmful as traditional”. So she stopped and continued with her Camel. After a month or so she understood that she still wants to quit, and then Jane tried to visit special psychologist – that shrink helped people quit.

Few attempts cost her 50$ each – rather big sum for such things, but if only it had sense! No. Allen Carr’s book for quitters didn’t help her as well. And then she just thought she can stop smoking for a day. Just for a day.

“The next day I thought – it would be just great not to smoke the next day too. And a day more. After a weak it was hard, but I began counting weeks! Now it’s second year coming to an end.”

I don’t think she wanted to say that all those “helping things” are trash, but you’ve got to rely on your will first of all. Read everything you want or anything that you think will help you quit. Use plaster, visit psychologist.

But don’t forget – you QUIT SMOKING, but not TRYING TO QUIT SMOKING.

“That’s the thing” – she said. That night we slept with her for the first time. ;))

Quit while smoking!

2010-03-06T05:44:00.000-08:00

A very-very-very odd way to quit was met on the Internet recently. Can’t say I like this way, but it’s so unusual – I think, it can probably work. It’s based not on quitting, but on some kind of showing off – I think this has a right to be, especially because some people say it works and anyway someone can try and succeed.

So, here is another way to quit smoking. It was found in a diary of a stranger somewhere on LJ.

When you feel you want to smoke, take one cigarette, light it up, make a puff and through it IMMEDIATELY. Maybe you’ll fell the same desire after half an hour – don’t be afraid – just repeat your actions the same way. After 3-5 days people expose that their desire has gone away.

This tip can be understood like one that breaks a system of smoker. Habit losses it’s reason – you take a cigarette, inhale smoke one time – but that’s it. Ha-ha – miracle.

That man says his method is based on philosophy of Don Juan, one of protagonists of Carlos Castaneda. He says: “to break a process of doing, you’ve got to divide it into parts and pick out one of them”.

In my opinion, it can be connected to Gestalt principles of psychology. The phrase "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts" is often used when explaining Gestalt theory. It means that taking off one part will destroy the whole thing by changing it’s specific.

One thing to add – if you already rely your hopes upon your will, don’t fall for seduction to try smoking according to this theory of quitting. This one is for those who are current smokers.

Passive smoking - wanna know?

2010-02-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

I am curious about passive smoking as well as about other things connected with smoking – this can be useful while searching for The Motive. You know – to stop smoking.

Numbers are almost brutal in their cruelty. Around 3000 people die per year from heart diseases due to the habit of their closest relatives. Much more are diagnosed with heart diseases because of passive smoking - inhaling secondhand smoke. This affected me much.

People who smoke are also passive smokers because they are inhaling fumes from burning tobacco, as well as people around them. No difference if you are a smoker yourself or not – you will suffer from people that are smoking around you.

The worst effects from passive smoking are those children are exposed – they are more susceptible to the medical problems of PS. Every year specialists report about numbers and numbers of respiratory diseases among children.

Have you heard about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome? Passive smoking is found to be one of the main reasons of all occurrences.

That doesn’t mean that if you’re an adult you must not fear. Choose, friend: heart diseases, reduction of normal cholesterol level, atherosclerosis and many others problems, related with tobacco smoking. Smokers are in cancer risk-group, but those that are “passive smokers” have 20-30 % more chances than never-smokers, who do not suffer from passive smoking, to have lung cancer.

Specialist also marked out effects caused to women – this includes higher risk of breast cancer, health effects to an unborn child. Don’t think you can stop smoking when you will already have a child, stop it now – to prevent creating problems for your partner and your child, people!

This is serious. I’m nervous. Just think about it!

What to do and what not

2010-02-24T06:53:00.000-08:00

Recently I’ve found some interesting info on quitting on the internet, something that is good to know if you are going to quit. Some tips. Here there are.

First you must know WHY you want to quit. Purposes are many: to regain health, to ease close people lifes, to keep children healthy, to get rid of constant money losses. Just remember – your goal must be big one, something important personally for you.

It’s smart not to go cold turkey, especially if you are smoking for years. Smoking is an addiction so you will probably need some helping medication. On other hand, if you are not a “senior smoker”, stopping abruptly will be a good idea.

Try not to go it alone. It’s a good idea to quit smoking together with your close friend or co-worker, to join a group of support or ask the advice of the professional. I think there is nothing wrong in asking for moral or physical help.

Stress is one of the main reasons people take up smoking. Get rid of stress. Visiting gym, sport activities produce anti-stress effect – stress of different kind, plus you can go for non-physical activities that help ppl manage their stress. :)

It’s wisely to avoid alcohol and other “triggers”, especially first few weeks. Drunken “ex-smokers” are often to become not “ex”. Among other triggers are coffee or big meals – you can drink tea and do something else after meal, for example brushing your teeth.

Try and try again, young padavan! Don’t ever give up quitting, even when you haven’t succeeded first few times. But remember – cessation is when you don’t smoke AT ALL.

These are your tips. Some people choose a way of therapy, others quit smoking without any replacement, but keeping in head these simple things will probably ease your struggle for health greatly!

Look - he is telling about his blog!

2010-02-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

Now you have entered the blog (http://goodwaystoquitsmoking.blogspot.com) I created special for you – ladies, gentlemen and kids on the Internet! Its mission is peace in the whole world. Joking!

My name is Fred Anniston and my weblog is wholly and truthfully devoted to smoking and striking, sometimes scientifically looking, but always interesting tips on quitting. And this is far not everything you can get acquainted with on my blog.

I was a smoker with great “period of probation” – smoking for over 20 years. Now I have quit and this is in some way my tribute to the habit’s end, made me start a place, where I’ll be able to share my personal experience with other quitters and people, who wants to quit

Here I’m going to place tips on quitting you can try and succeed. My weblog is not some kind of dull stuff, where you’ll be suggested to read dull things – I try my best to tell you about smoking with humor, remember some occurrences from my life, so you can enjoy yourself with reading.

It would be great if you will comment on my posts with your thoughts or something, because it is very important for me. I’m going to update my blog frequently with new posts.

Good luck!

A cigarette

2010-01-07T23:27:00.000-08:00

A cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied. What more can one want?

Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray

Smoking link to hearing loss risk

2010-01-04T20:56:00.000-08:00

Smoking and obesity could both cause permanent hearing damage, say scientists.

Either could threaten blood flow to the ear, they say, with damage levels clearly linked to the level of obesity or the length of a smoking habit.

However, the Antwerp University-led study found that high levels of work noise remained the biggest risk.

In a separate study, smoking in middle age was linked to worse memory, which could hasten the arrival of dementia.

A link between smoking and hearing problems has been suggested by others, but the conclusions of the latest research, involving more than 4,000 men and women aged between 53 and 67, offer the most convincing evidence to date.

All the study participants were given a hearing test, then asked about their lifestyle and where they worked.

Dr Erik Fransen, of the University of Antwerp in Belgium, one of the lead researchers, said that the ability to pick out high frequency sounds was damaged in smokers and the obese, although to not as great an extent as those exposed to very loud noise in the workplace.

He said: "The hearing loss is proportional to how much you smoke and your body mass index (BMI).

"It starts getting worse once you have smoked regularly for more than one year."

He said that, unlike some parts of the body, once damage had occurred, there was no prospect of recovery.

"Once the damage is done, it's done. It does not repair."

Blood flow

The theory behind the hearing damage is similar to the reason smoking and obesity can harm other organs.

Both can disrupt the flow of blood around the body, and Dr Fransen suggested that the resulting lack of oxygen, coupled with the failure to remove toxic waste from the ear, can be damaging.

Amanda Sandford, from the pressure group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said that the results, published in the Journal of the Association for Research into Otolaryngology, should serve as a warning particularly to younger smokers.

She said: "There are so many young people who think that they can give up in middle age and escape some of the other diseases associated with smoking.

"In this case, some of the damage may already have been done."

The study was part-funded by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), and Dr Mark Downs, from the charity, said that, with an ageing population, age-related hearing loss could be a major problem.

"Losing your hearing in later life can make it harder to maintain contact with friends and families and lead to isolation and depression, so making small concessions now could have an enormous effect in the long term."

A separate research project involved more than 5,000 civil servants, who completed memory and reasoning tests and then repeated them five years later.

It found that smoking in middle age was linked to a decline in memory and verbal reasoning ability.

Memory problems at this age have been linked to a swifter onset of the symptoms of dementia.

This study was conducted jointly between the University of Paris and University College London.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7443730.stm

Smoking - recommendations on a way to quit

2009-12-06T02:32:00.000-08:00

There are a whole lot of ways to quit smoking plus several resources to help you you. Members of the family, friends, and coworkers can be supportive or encouraging, but the will plus commitment to quit have to be your own.

Most folks who have been able to successfully quit smoking made a minimum of 1 unsuccessful try in the past. Try not to view past attempts to quit as failures, but rather as learning experiences.

Feel ready to quit? First and foremost, set a quit date and quit completely on which day.

To organize yourself for that day:
Establish the days you're the majority of probably to smoke. As an example, does one tend to smoke when feeling stressed? When you are out at night with friends? While you are drinking coffee or alcohol? After you are bored? Whereas you're driving?
Stay a diary to help you determine such risky times. Record each time you've got a cigarette, as well as time of day and what you're doing.
Make a plan concerning what you will do instead of smoking at those times after you are the majority of probably to smoke. For example, drink tea instead of coffee -- tea can not trigger the desire for a cigarette. Or, take a walk when feeling stressed. Remove ashtrays plus cigarettes from the car. Place pretzels or tough candies there instead. Fake-smoke along with a straw.
Let all of your friends, family, plus coworkers know of your plan to stop smoking and your quit date. Simply being aware that they be acquainted with may be a useful reminder plus motivator.
Prior to your quit date, begin reducing your cigarette use, including decreasing the range plus strength of the cigarettes. But ,, do NOT try this merely to create your diary "appear good." Get rid of all of your cigarettes just prior to the quit date, plus clean out anything which smells like smoke, like clothes plus furniture.

Other tips to help you you quit smoking plus stick to it:
Enroll in an exceedingly smoking cessation program (hospitals, health departments, community centers, plus work sites mostly offer programs).
Ask your health care supplier for advice, as well as whether or not prescription medications are safe and acceptable for you.
Locate out about nicotine patches, gum, and sprays.
Check out hypnosis -- it works for some people.
Avoid smoke-stuffed settings plus situations in which you're added likely to smoke.
Get extra exercise. It helps relieve the urge to smoke.
Learn self-hypnosis from a professional practitioner. This helps several people.