Cigarette smoking is an addiction. More than four thousand identified chemicals are found in cigarette fumes many of which are recognized as cancer forming substances. Nicotine is a found naturally in in tobacco. It is considered as highly addictive and makes it very hard for a person to quit smoking the habit is formed. Smoking is the cause of one in five deaths each year in United States alone. Each day nearly twelve hundred Americans die of cigarette smoking. It has been researched upon and determined that those people who are surrounded by companions who smoke are exposed to equal health risks as that of an active smoker. Moreover, children of parents who smoke are also exposed to a number health risks such as aggravation of asthma, increased occurrence of colds and ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome.
There are many reasons why one should quit smoking. However, the first and most important reason for quitting smoking is health. Smoking adversely affects the health and causes many deadly diseases. Moreover, a smoker first spends a lot of money on tobacco products and later pays the medical bills for subsequent health damage. Doctors fees are very high for chronic diseases such as lung cancer. By smoking, a person not just loses money he adds to the environmental pollution as well. Smoking while working also negatively affects the concentration power which results in a decrease in efficiency.
Giving anything up or even reducing the intake of something like sweets or caffeine is very hard. When it is a question of kicking the cigarette habit it becomes all the more difficult. There are some products available in the market which can help a person to quit smoking. Some of them include nicotine replacement aids such as nicotine patch or chewing gum. When a person wears a nicotine patch a limited dose of nicotine instantly travels through the skin into the bloodstream. Similar effect is experience in nicotine chewing gum. The level of nicotine remains very limited in such products but they may be enough to keep a person from craving cigarettes or experiencing weakening withdrawal symptoms. While quitting this habit one must stay busy, active and maintain a positive attitude.
Quitting this habit is not easy. One may experience days that may be very difficult. The key is to always remember the benefits of not smoking to keep one motivated. Sometimes smoking is associated with emotional imbalance, seeking the help of a counselor may also help.
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