Smoking Facts

There are plenty of smoking facts, both good and bad. Hear the bad facts first, and then learn the good facts that begin to accumulate the moment you quit.

Is it time to quit?

Nicotine Is an Addictive Drug

The tobacco companies may have initially tried to deny it, but it's a fact that nicotine is addictive. So the question begs, are you smoking because you really want to, or is it just the nicotine talking?

Maybe once you read the truth about smoking you'll find the inspiration you need to go smoke free. The following facts were gathered from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and The National Cancer Institute.

Unpleasant Smoking Facts

If you think smoking is no big deal, think again. Here are just a few ways smoking can have a negative effect on you and your family.

Negative Health Effects for Smokers

• Nearly half a million people die each year from smoking-related illnesses, including various types of cancer.

• People who choose to chew tobacco are still risking their health. Chewing leads to a dramatic increase in the risk for oral cancer.

• Physical signs of smoke damage to your body include:
  • Poor circulation: Cold hands and feet sound familiar? Poor circulation can also complicate diabetes symptoms, making it even more difficult for cuts and sores to heal.
  • Breathing difficulties: Shortness of breath and frequent cases of bronchitis are common.
  • High blood pressure: This can lead to blood vessel damage and heart disease.
  • Bone loss: Women are especially at risk for osteoporosis.
  • Loss of physical stamina: Even minor tasks cause you to feel weak and out of breath.

Negative Health Effects for Babies and Children

Second hand smoke can cause a variety of health problems for the children of smokers. These include:

• Low birth weight: Women who smoke during gestation are more likely to deliver small weak babies with lung complications and other health risks.
• Lung ailments: Children who live with smokers are more likely to experience respiratory infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia, as well as asthma.
• Ear infections: Children of smokers are especially at risk of developing middle ear problems.
• Burns: Children of smokers are far more likely to suffer burns from random accidents as well as house fires.

The Cost of Smoking

• Prices vary, but people who smoke a pack a day at $4.00 a pack will spend approximately $1,460.00 a year on their addiction. With the rising cost of fuel, just think of all the gasoline that money would buy.
• Looking at the bigger picture, the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses runs at over $50 billion annually.

Good Facts About Quitting

The benefits of a smoke-free life begin to accumulate a mere 24 hours after you quit smoking. These include:

• Normalized carbon monoxide levels in your bloodstream
• Increased circulation
• Lowered blood pressure
• Slight breathing improvement
• Elevated energy level

After going smokeless for an entire month:

• Your lung function increases, improving your circulation and decreasing your risk for respiratory infections and heart disease.
• The initial irritability felt when first quitting subsides.
• That smoker's cough eases.
• Your sense of taste returns.
• Your children and other housemates' related health risks also decrease exponentially.
• You'll have approximately $120.00 extra in your wallet, and that amount will multiply every month you remain smoke-free.

Kick the Habit

Your greatest chance to successfully quit smoking is to partner with your physician. Your doctor can recommend the most useful stop-smoking aids, and help you choose the method that best suits your current physical health.

Popular products include:

• Nicotine patches

• Nicotine gum and lozenges

• Nicotine nasal sprays and inhalers

• Chantix

Carefully consider the smoking facts presented above and decide for yourself whether the benefits of a smoke-free life are worth the temporary difficulties of kicking the habit.

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• Category:Smoking