Tobacco Facts

Tobacco is one of the strongest cancer-causing agents. Tobacco use is associated with a number of different cancers, including lung cancer, as well as with chronic lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases.

• Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing an estimated 438,000 deaths - or about 1 out of every 5 - each year.
  
  
• In the United States, approximately 38,000 deaths each year are caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.
  
  
• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the United States, with 90 percent of lung cancer deaths among men and approximately 80 percent of lung cancer deaths among women attributed to smoking.
  
  
• Smoking also increases the risk of many other types of cancer, including cancers of the throat, mouth, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix.
  
  
• People who smoke are up to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking also causes most cases of chronic obstructive lung disease, which includes bronchitis and emphysema.
  
  
• In 2007, approximately 19.8 percent of U.S. adults were cigarette smokers.
  
  
• Twenty-three percent of high school students and 8 percent of middle school students in this country are current cigarette smokers.(See Tobacco Statistics Snapshot for references for this information.)
  
• For a free a copy of quit smoking book to help you stop smoking finally, Click here
  

Confessions of a smoker by Lora Pfundheller.

I am a smoker by choice. Nobody has ever forced me to light a cigarette. I smoke because I like it. Maybe I even need to smoke. I know I am hooked. I blame nobody but myself. I could quit, but I don't want to. Being a smoker is part of who I am.
I started smoking when I was fourteen years old. I loved it right away. I stole my first cigarette from the suitcase of my visiting grandmother. That first smoke was wonderful and awful, all at once. It made me light-headed and slightly nauseous. My heart began to race, and I broke out in a cold sweat. I felt energized but also oddly soothed. Smoking made me feel simultaneously calm and focused. I had been around smokers all my life, and I felt ready to be initiated into the ranks. In my eyes, I had taken my first steps on the road to adulthood.

The ritual of selecting a cigarette, lighting it and taking that first drag was magical to me. It never occurred to me that I was igniting the fire of addiction. I'm not sure I would have avoided smoking in any case. In those times, smoking was accepted, even admired in some circles. Although it shocks me now, students at my high school were allowed to smoke, and even had a designated area to do so. The school didn't require parental permission, although several of us smoked with our parents' knowledge and consent. We were growing up, and smoking was simply a rite of passage.
I fully expected to be forced to quit when I joined the Army. I was delighted to discover that I wasn't expected to give up my favorite habit. On the contrary, we were given regular "smoke breaks", even in basic training. We were able to buy cigarettes at a deep discount at the PX. It almost seemed that we were being encouraged to smoke. Many people who were non-smokers when they entered the service had begun to smoke by the time they were finished with boot camp. I was surrounded by others who shared my vice, and life was good.
I confess to smoking throughout my first two pregnancies. I thought about quitting during the second, but when I consulted my doctor he told me it was a bad idea. My body, according to him, was accustomed to nicotine, and it would be dangerous to go through withdrawal while pregnant. I was happy with this advice, and resolved to ignore the dirty looks I sometimes caught from strangers. After all, I had my doctor's blessing, and that was all I needed.
After smoking for eleven years, I decided to quit. I set a date, and told my friends.
They all encouraged me, but I could see they didn't really believe I would do it. I happen to possess a large stubborn streak. I was determined to prove them all wrong. I quit, cold turkey. I employed all kinds of tricks to keep myself from lighting up. When I felt the urge, I would do the dishes or bathe the kids, as it is virtually impossible to smoke with wet hands. The dishes sparkled, and the kids were waterlogged for months, but I didn't smoke. I found myself enjoying the taste of food more, and I liked the way my home and clothing smelled. I was successful! I stayed off cigarettes for ten years. Actually, that isn't entirely true. I had a number of lapses. When my grandmother passed away, I took up smoking for about a week to get me through the wake and funeral. When I was stressed or upset or nervous, I would secretly buy a pack of cigarettes and puff away. When I went to Florida to visit my mother or hung out with my favorite cousin, I inevitably ended up smoking with them. These instances didn't happen often, but I felt guilty each time. I vowed never to do it again. I rationalized my behavior by calling it an occasional indulgence, but the truth was that I missed it and I never stopped thinking of myself as a smoker.
After the birth of my last child, I gave in. I was married to a smoker, and my friends all smoked. I didn't want to be left out, so I picked up the habit again. It felt like coming home. I enjoyed the social aspect of smoking with my friends. I looked forward to ending a good meal with a smoke. During the rough times, I felt I couldn't live without my cigarettes. I wondered why I had ever stopped.
I honestly enjoy smoking. That first drag is still magical. Cigarettes give me comfort during bad times and make good times even better. Like every other smoker Ive encountered, I understand the health problems smoking can cause. I know it is a bad habit that may someday kill me. I know I should quit. Mostly, I don't care. I accept the risk. Many life choices are unhealthy, and nobody lives forever. I try to be responsible and considerate with my habit. I don't smoke in my house, or in the car when the kids are with me. I don't chain smoke. I don't smoke around non-smokers, unless they give me permission. I don't throw my butts on the ground. I try to minimize the effects of my choice on everyone around me. All I ask in return is the right to smoke in peace.
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By Actually, that isn't entirely true. I had a number of lapses. When my grandmother passed away, I took up smoking for about a week to get me through the wake and funeral. When I was stressed or upset or nervous, I would secretly buy a pack of cigarettes and puff away. When I went to Florida to visit my mother or hung out with my favorite cousin, I inevitably ended up smoking with them. These instances didn't happen often, but I felt guilty each time. I vowed never to do it again. I rationalized my behavior by calling it an occasional indulgence, but the truth was that I missed it and I never stopped thinking of myself as a smoker.
After the birth of my last child, I gave in. I was married to a smoker, and my friends all smoked. I didn't want to be left out, so I picked up the habit again. It felt like coming home. I enjoyed the social aspect of smoking with my friends. I looked forward to ending a good meal with a smoke. During the rough times, I felt I couldn't live without my cigarettes. I wondered why I had ever stopped.
I honestly enjoy smoking. That first drag is still magical. Cigarettes give me comfort during bad times and make good times even better. Like every other smoker Ive encountered, I understand the health problems smoking can cause. I know it is a bad habit that may someday kill me. I know I should quit. Mostly, I don't care. I accept the risk. Many life choices are unhealthy, and nobody lives forever. I try to be responsible and considerate with my habit. I don't smoke in my house, or in the car when the kids are with me. I don't chain smoke. I don't smoke around non-smokers, unless they give me permission. I don't throw my butts on the ground. I try to minimize the effects of my choice on everyone around me. All I ask in return is the right to smoke in peace. Actually, that isn't entirely true. I had a number of lapses. When my grandmother passed away, I took up smoking for about a week to get me through the wake and funeral. When I was stressed or upset or nervous, I would secretly buy a pack of cigarettes and puff away. When I went to Florida to visit my mother or hung out with my favorite cousin, I inevitably ended up smoking with them. These instances didn't happen often, but I felt guilty each time. I vowed never to do it again. I rationalized my behavior by calling it an occasional indulgence, but the truth was that I missed it and I never stopped thinking of myself as a smoker.
After the birth of my last child, I gave in. I was married to a smoker, and my friends all smoked. I didn't want to be left out, so I picked up the habit again. It felt like coming home. I enjoyed the social aspect of smoking with my friends. I looked forward to ending a good meal with a smoke. During the rough times, I felt I couldn't live without my cigarettes. I wondered why I had ever stopped.
I honestly enjoy smoking. That first drag is still magical. Cigarettes give me comfort during bad times and make good times even better. Like every other smoker Ive encountered, I understand the health problems smoking can cause. I know it is a bad habit that may someday kill me. I know I should quit. Mostly, I don't care. I accept the risk. Many life choices are unhealthy, and nobody lives forever. I try to be responsible and considerate with my habit. I don't smoke in my house, or in the car when the kids are with me. I don't chain smoke. I don't smoke around non-smokers, unless they give me permission. I don't throw my butts on the ground. I try to minimize the effects of my choice on everyone around me. All I ask in return is the right to smoke in peace.
Actually, that isn't entirely true. I had a number of lapses. When my grandmother passed away, I took up smoking for about a week to get me through the wake and funeral. When I was stressed or upset or nervous, I would secretly buy a pack of cigarettes and puff away. When I went to Florida to visit my mother or hung out with my favorite cousin, I inevitably ended up smoking with them. These instances didn't happen often, but I felt guilty each time. I vowed never to do it again. I rationalized my behavior by calling it an occasional indulgence, but the truth was that I missed it and I never stopped thinking of myself as a smoker.
After the birth of my last child, I gave in. I was married to a smoker, and my friends all smoked. I didn't want to be left out, so I picked up the habit again. It felt like coming home. I enjoyed the social aspect of smoking with my friends. I looked forward to ending a good meal with a smoke. During the rough times, I felt I couldn't live without my cigarettes. I wondered why I had ever stopped.
I honestly enjoy smoking. That first drag is still magical. Cigarettes give me comfort during bad times and make good times even better. Like every other smoker Ive encountered, I understand the health problems smoking can cause. I know it is a bad habit that may someday kill me. I know I should quit. Mostly, I don't care. I accept the risk. Many life choices are unhealthy, and nobody lives forever. I try to be responsible and considerate with my habit. I don't smoke in my house, or in the car when the kids are with me. I don't chain smoke. I don't smoke around non-smokers, unless they give me permission. I don't throw my butts on the ground. I try to minimize the effects of my choice on everyone around me. All I ask in return is the right to smoke in peace.

Source:http://www.helium.com/items/953053-confessions-of-a-smoker

Confessions of a smoker

I should have known. I'm a veteran quitter. As Mark Twain once famously observed, "Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times." But each and every time I always seem to forget what a horrible experience it is. Get details of these below.
By Ben Leto

Source:http://www.helium.com/items/597695-confessions-of-a-smoker

Eat Well, Get Fit, Stop Smoking — Prevent Cancer

If you wanted to start today to reduce your chances of getting cancer, what would you have to do? Lose excess weight, get more exercise, eat a healthy diet and quit smoking.

Those basic behavior changes would have a tremendous impact on the incidence of the most prevalent types of cancer — lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer — says Graham Colditz, M.D., Dr.P.H., associate director of Prevention and Control at the Siteman Cancer Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "We estimate that more than 50 percent of cancer incidence could be prevented if we act today on what we already know," Colditz says.

Every year, more than 500,000 Americans die from cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that on average each person who dies from cancer loses 15 years of life, and altogether cancer deaths were responsible for nearly 8.7 million person-years of life lost in 2003, the most recent year for which the data were available.

"The loss of life and earning potential and the social impact of cancer are enormous," Colditz says. "Reducing risk by adopting lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and losing weight isn't always easy, but it may help to remember that these behavior changes can also reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke and osteoporosis."

Colditz's recommendations for preventing cancer also include avoiding excess alcohol consumption, taking a multivitamin with folate and protecting yourself from too much sun and from sexually transmitted diseases.

Colditz recently became leader of the Siteman Center's cancer prevention program having previously headed the Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention.

Physical fitness

Estimates hold that 20 to 30 percent of the most common cancers in the United States stem from being overweight or physically inactive. Research has linked weight gain to common cancers such as breast and colon cancer, as well as uterine, esophageal and renal cancers. "Women who lose weight in their adult years reduce their risk of breast cancer significantly," Colditz notes.

Furthermore, he asserts that a clear connection exists between higher levels of physical activity and lower incidence of cancer. "For example, even after diagnosis of breast cancer, physical activity has an impact on recurrence and survival," he says.

Consumption

What people breathe in, drink or eat can influence whether they get cancer. It's well known that smoking is associated with lung cancer, but less commonly understood is that smokers also are more likely to get colorectal cancer as well as kidney, pancreatic, cervical and stomach cancers.

"The rate at which risk drops after stopping smoking varies for different cancer sites," Colditz says. "But it's very clear that within five to 10 years there will be a 50 percent reduction in cancer risk compared to people who keep smoking."

Although some recent evidence has suggested that wine and other alcoholic beverages may contain beneficial components, other data show that overconsumption of alcohol increases the possibility of getting oral, esophageal, breast and other cancers.

Eating a plant-based diet can help protect against cancer. People who eat diets rich in fruits and vegetables have a lower danger of cancers of the colon, mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach and lung. Diets high in red meat and animal fat increase the probability of certain cancers. "There's a strong, consistent relation between higher intake of red meat and higher risk of colon cancer," Colditz notes.

High intake of folate, a B vitamin, may protect a person from cancer, and epidemiological studies suggest that low folate status may play an important role early in cancer development. Colditz says experts recommend taking a multivitamin that contains folate every day.

Other factors

Reducing long-term exposure to the sun and to artificial light from tanning beds, booths and sun lamps can lower the danger of getting non-melanoma skin cancer. Avoiding burns and other damage from these sources — especially in children and teens — can reduce the chances of getting melanoma skin cancer.

Certain viral infections have also been strongly linked to cancer development. Some of the most important of these are human papillomavirus (HPV), a cause of cervical cancer, hepatitis B and C viruses, major causes of liver cancer, and Helicobacter pylori, which accounts for the majority of cases of stomach cancer. HPV can be spread by sexual contact, and vaccine-conferred immunity results in a marked decrease in precancerous lesions.

As with the new cervical cancer vaccine, advances in chemoprevention will likely add to the prevention potential that comes from healthy lifestyle choices. "In the future we'll be seeing a range of new preventative strategies," Colditz indicates. "For example, the National Cancer Institute has a trial looking at selenium as a supplement to prevent cancer. And research shows that antiestrogens may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 60 to 80 percent in women after menopause." Source:http://www.siteman.wustl.edu/internal.aspx?id=1602

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Eat Stop Eat method of stopping smoking

Select a variety of foods from all food groups every day. This is a fine way of keeping deficiency diseases at bay.
Stay clear of food supplements or nutraceuticals as they are sometimes called. If you are eating properly, you do not need any supplements.
Go for natural foods instead of processed or packed foods.
Always eat fresh fruit instead of drinking fresh juices whenever you can. Fresh fruit has a lot more fiber, which your body needs.
Eat much of vegetables and salads; they can never do much harm.
Say no to alcoholic beverages .
Try drinking water instead of soda when thirsty. Your body prefers water in its purest form.
Increase your intake of fluids. Try and drink at least 12 glasses of water every day; it helps to flush out all those toxins.
Wash clean your vegetables and fruits well before consumption and search for packets that say ‘free from pesticides.’
Put into practice these eating habits and before you know it, you will have a whole new body, which you certainly won’t want to pollute with cigarette smoke.

SELF CONFESSION METHOD TO QUIT SMOKING

Retrain your mind by continually telling yourself that you are not a smoker.These phrases should be repeated, even as you are lighting up a cigarette.

"Cigarette smoking is disgusting."
"The taste of cigarettes is nauseating."
"I am a non-smoker."
"Cigarette smoke makes people's hair and clothes smell gross."
"I hate seeing people smoke."
"The smoking stains left on smokers' teeth are unsightly."
"Smoking can make me mad and turn me to a lunatic."

This technique might seem weird, but used with consistency, you will find that your want and
desire to smoke will begin to vanish. It may seem bold, but as you are using this method, tell
other people that you do not smoke and that you are a non-smoker. Be careful to make all
"anti-smoking" confessions in the positive rather than negative. Don'tever say "I do not smoke."
Say, "I am a non-smoker." Do not say, "I do not like the smell of cigarette smoke." Say,
"Cigarette smoke repulses me."

Start by helping yourself by writing a list of at least 20 reasons why you want to become a
non-smoker. Post them on your fridge, at your desk,on your car dashboard, on your bathroom
mirror, and anywhere so that you will be forced to look at them regularly. Then start counting
days until you are finally smoke free! To read more of this, click here to get a copy of Stop Smoking For Good Audio Book.

It's Time to Quit: Brain Damage a Key to Stop Smoking? by Heather Long

I've heard of lots of strange ways to quit smoking, but voluntarily damaging your brain? I don't care what you say about smoking and I don't care what you say about the health risks - the idea of voluntarily submitting yourself for brain damage to stop smoking? Well, I know some people who went through a shots treatment to stop smoking and after three miserable days, they didn't stop - so who knows.
Science Journal
In the Science Journal this week, there was a report from a Dr. Antoine Bechara, a neuroscientist, who has discovered what he believes to be the area of the brain that governs nicotine addiction. The area, identified as the insula is located deep within the brain and only takes up about 2 and a half centimeters of space.
So how did these scientists discover that this area of the brain has anything to do with the smoking habit? Apparently, a heavy smoker (someone who smoked 40 cigarettes a day) quit smoking immediately after he experienced a stroke that affected that area of his brain. He described the experience as being one where his body forgot it liked to smoke.
The study explored 69 brain damaged smokers and found that of the 19 who had received damage to the insula, that 13 of them stopped smoking with 24 hours of the injury and they reported no urge to smoke again. Of the remaining smokers in this category, they reported quitting became far less difficult and rated it a 3 on scale of 1 to 7.
So What Does This Mean?
Potentially, this could be another way for smokers to quit, but the insula controls a number of every day functions and damaging it willfully could create more consequences than just stopping smoking. I'm still on track towards my quit date - just four days from now, but I have to say, even with this information - the idea of volunteering for brain damage to quit smoking - I'd rather do it some other way.
Would you volunteer for such a procedure? Even knowing it could cause other problems in order to quit smoking?
Related Articles:
It's Time to Quit: Let's Get Together
Break Down The Cost of Smoking
Myths About Quitting

Source: http://health.families.com/blog/its-time-to-quit-brain-damage-a-key-to-stop-smoking

Comment by else smoker:
I had a similar view but finally able to quite after 28 yrs. The inspiration came when I was introduced to an audio book titled - Stop Smoking Audiobook The book is full of miracles. I downloaded it from http://51w.us/stopsmoking . I studied everything there and by God's grace, I stopped smoking.But today, i am happy to give this testimony. It will assist all other addicted smokers to stop smoking.

For notes about STOP SMOKING AUDIO BOOK check out