Even those who smoke say they wish they didn’t. Even those who smoke know that it is really bad for your health and the health of those around them. But they continue even knowing these facts.
Atlanta Faith and Examiner strives to bring new information to help families in various ways and sometimes just family fun stuff; and sometimes advice on things that affect the family in many ways. While smoking harms the smoker, second-hand smoke can be deadly to those who never smoked themsleves.
Smoking, like so many other things, is not only a wolf in sheep’s clothing; but a disease hiding in a cigarette paper roll. Once a person is hooked, on just about anything, it takes a lot of desire and will power to overcome; especially addictions.
A columnist here in Atlanta once wrote an article years ago about the typical housewife – he said she was a stay-at-home Mom, with the baby in her lap, the phone in one hand, a cigarette in the other watching soap operas. And then later there is the cigarette ad that said, “You’ve come a long way baby!” Perhaps a long way toward an early grave.
First of all acknowledging that this columnist was (what was commonly called back in the 1960’s), a male chauvinist pig. He must have been describing someone he knew; and not most mothers who preferred to do with less, to raise their own children, and never smoked a cigarette in their lives.
And those women he described are probably no longer with us; or are suffering from some kind of smoke related cancer. And more than likely, they handed their addictions down to their children; and them to theirs.
Somewhere in the 1980’s, somebody came up with the slogan, “Smart people are quitting smoking – but even smarter ones won’t ever begin.” Whatever their brain registers on the brain tester, there are still a lot of people who smoke; but wish they didn’t.
There are a lot of products on the market today and help from the medical community; but it still takes a strong desire and a strong will to break this or any deeply entrenched addiction. (Perhaps in the not too distance future they will have CPA Groups– Cell Phone Anonymous.)
Stephanie Schorow, of “Lifescript," has written an informative article showing there is new evidence why people should quit smoking; and how they can better do it. COPD is on the rise among smokers for one. These people spent a many dollar to smoke; and now they are spending many more by trying to overcome the results.
She states that smoking kills 440,000 people a year. “And we’re not even counting its hit on your pocketbook and social life.” She also says that there are about 23 million women smokers.
Increased smoking has always been linked to stressful times not only in the smoker’s life; but stress in the nation. Smoking became rampant during World War II and women started smoking – at least in public – for the first time. Since then young kids, especially teens, think it is "cool." And it is often an act of rebellion; and now they are finding out the the effects the hard way.
The CDC did a phone survey of 22,000 adults and about 20.6% said they smoked in 2008, an increase from 19.8% in 2007. This could be related to the economy and general fears and anxiety all across this country since 2008.
In fact, smoking among adults rose for the first time in 15 years, according to statistics released this month by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
But she goes on to say: “But there’s good news: If you want to quit, it’s easier than ever before thanks to a host of new tools and techniques.”
She covers topics like:
- Don’t be discouraged by past failures.
- Figure out why you want to quit.
- Don’t go cold turkey.
- Call-in tech support.
- Try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
- Consider prescription drugs.
- Don’t limit yourself to one method.
- Set a Quit Day.
- Clean house.
- Get your friends and family on board.
- Avoid triggers.
- You can beat that craving.
- Get real about weight gain.
- Reward yourself.
- Avoid smoking scams.
Are You Ready to Quit Smoking? Take the quiz on the web site and start from there? http://www.lifescript.com/Health/Centers/Smoking_Cessation/Articles/Your_No-Fail_Guide_to_Stop_Smoking.aspx?utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Cessation
Atlanta Faith and Family strives to bring articles that relate to families in various ways. You can receive additional articles with no cost to you by subscribing. If you know someone who could be helped by this article, you encourage them by clicking the “Share” button above; and by forwarding it via social networks or e-mail. So simple. You might save a life or you might prevent someone from starting.
If you have overcome smoking, please share in the comment how you were able to do it; and what helped you the most. Post your advice for young people coming along who might decide to try it “just once!”
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