Why Do Smokers Quit Smoking, Common Myth ?
About 2.4 million cases of tobacco-related cancers were diagnosed in the United States from 1999 to 2004, finds a recent study by the CDC. Lung and bronchial cancer make up for about half of these cases. Just as the harmful effects of smoking persist, so do the myths surrounding smoking, which often prevent smokers to quit.
Myth #1: Smoking is harmful only to the smoker: It’s fallacious because inhaling second hand smoke is just as harmful if not more. And often it’s tender kids who are the recipients of such smoke, which is even worse.
Myth #2: Smoking/chewing tobacco lower blood pressure This one’s perhaps the biggest joke about smoking. The fact is the blood pressure can increase, and doctors often advise patients with high blood presureto quit smoking.
Myth #3: Tobacco smoke uplifts your mood: (This myth is true!) Since, nicotine is a stimulant you might feel alert and relaxed (and happier, because of: see VJ Sleight’s comment) but in fact as the effect wears off it can put you in a worse mood than you previously were in. In the long-run however, it might hurt you more because it can potentially wreck your health.
Myth #4: Tobacco chewing and Cigars are safer, because the smoke’s not inhaled. Tobacco smoke is harmful, whether from a cigarette or a cigar. Chewing tobacco isn’t safe either as those who chew, often get afflicted with oral cancers, etc.
Myth #5: “I can quit, whenever I want to:” This one presumes that it might be
difficult for others, but not for the person herself. The fact is that it’s tough for any one because Nicotine, the principal component is one of the most addictive substances around. However, the medical industry has devised many treatments that do make it easy for you get rid of the addiction.
Myth #6: Just a few cigarettes a day are fine: No they’re not because only a couple of cigarettes have enough nicotine to harm you. And the addictive power of cigarettes makes it more likely that you’d crave for more of them.
Myth #7: “Many smokers don’t get Lung cancer.” Many smokers who smoke do get lung cancer! Further, that’s not the only thing that cigarettes cause. There are a number of disorders and maladies linked to smoking . eg. Digestive disorders, cancers of the mouth, etc. As a consequence of smoking you may have to pop in pharm drugs to treat the abnormal medical conditions caused by smoking.
Myth #8: Smoking is Chick: It could have been, if it didn’t lead to bad breadth, wrinkles on the face, stained teeth and repulsive smoke and smell that envelopes a smoker.
Myth #9: Low-tar or menthol cigarettes are safe: Users of these cigarettes automatically make up for low nicotine content in them by smoking more cigarettes when their bodies crave. And they might even inhale deeply to compensate, thus inhaling the more toxins including carbon monoxide.
Myth #10: I’ll gain weight if I quit: Not necessary, you’re likely to gain weight if you eat more than you need to. Some people may compensate the craving for cigarettes with overeating. However, with proper exercise and healthy diets you may never gain weight, or get back to normal in a short time.
Myth #11: Cigarettes won’t harm me: Why? What makes you any different from others? This is one of the commonest forms of irrational reasoning that causes us to be reckless. Whether it’s about driving or safe sex, or smoking you’re about as susceptible as anyone.
Myth #12: Quitting won’t help if you’ve smoked for years: Though it sounds appealing, it’s not true. Think of smoking as a slow acting poison, as soon as you stop taking it, your body will heal itself and prevent you from disease.
In addition smoking has been linked to infertility in women and impotence in men. If you’ve tried to quit yourself but have failed, try seeking professional help. Start off with the following resources:
In the US
CDC
Smokefree.gov
American Lung Association
In the UK
Go smoke free
Quit
British Heart Foundation
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