2/28/2013

Years ago smoking was the "in" thing to do; it made a person cool. As our society became more health conscious, the popularity of smoking decreased. Today the community ostracizes smokers. From prohibiting smoking in many public buildings to prohibiting smoking anywhere on certain property as well as possible allegations of child abuse in a home where there are smokers, smokers are rapidly becoming the minority. Aside from the health risks associated with smoking, nonsmokers can smell the smoke on a person and therefore tend to avoid them. Smokers are being made to ashamed of the addiction. Because of this, there are many quit smoking methods available today, for people who wish to quit smoking due to health or societal reasons.



Why quit smoking, I enjoy it? It may be true that smokers enjoy smoking, however; the smoker has to weigh the enjoyment of the activity with the health risks to themselves and others due to their smoking. When a person inhales the smoke from a cigarette, he or she is also inhaling nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide. These substances stay in the lungs when the smoker exhales, causing breathing problems and cancer. Anyone around the smoker is also inhaling the smoke from the cigarette, which in turn puts them in danger of experiencing breathing problems and cancer. So the smoker is not only endangering his or her life, but the lives of friends and family around them.



So how do I quit? I have tried before but why have I not been successful? Most likely, when a person has tried to quit smoking, they either try going "cold turkey" or they try gradually cutting back until they are no longer smoking. The problem with these methods is that smoking is an addiction, and as with most other addictions, one cannot do it alone. For this reason, there are many methods out there to help kick the habit.



Nicotine Replacement Therapy is one of the more popular methods on the market today. With Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), nicotine is slowly released into the body to keep a steady level of nicotine at all times, avoiding the need to smoke for a boost when nicotine levels drop. NRT is available in several forms and strengths, including patches, nasal sprays and inhalers. The user starts at the higher strength and gradually moves to the lower strength before stopping all together. This method is highly successful when used as directed.



Prescription pills such as Zyban and Chantix are another quit smoking method available only by prescription from your doctor. The pills contain no nicotine and studies show that the use of pills as directed by a physician reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges. These too, have been highly successful. Laser therapy, hypnosis, and acupuncture are other methods used to stop smoking and can be used by the long time, "stubborn" smoker.



Using a combination of one of the above mentioned methods and a support network of smoking cessation groups and family members has been shown to double the success rate. Some people should not use these methods and should consult their physician before starting any new method to quit smoking. If you are a smoker who is ready to quit, I suggest that you carefully research any method you are considering and consult your doctor. No matter which quit smoking method you choose, set your mind to quitting and stick with it, it is worth it in the long run!
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