Smoking and Ways on How to Stop It

Everyone knows what "SMOKING" is, and some enjoying it without thinking about the bad effects on their body, specifically in their internal organs. But did you know that quitting smoking can change and gives you a better life?

I was inspired to write this article because of the memory I shared 3 years ago on a very popular platform. I shared this video to reach other people and remind them of what happens when they stop smoking. This time I am going to share what the video talks about and add additional information.

WHAT is SMOKING?

In a simple explanation, Smoking is the act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning plant material. Different kinds of plant materials are smoked, including hashish and marijuana but the act is most commonly associated with tobacco as smoked in a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.

Tobacco has nicotine. It is an alkaloid that is addictive and can have both stimulating and tranquilizing psychoactive effects.

Smoking is one of the past time of some especially when they get bored, tense, and problematic. This is their way to calm and relax. Some are even smoking when they just finish their meal for they said it helps to easily digest their food. But, until now I still don't like smoking and seeing someone smoking. Aside from having a bad smell, it's also ruining one's and others' health for we know second-hand smoking is more dangerous for they are the ones who inhale the smoke from the cigarette.

DISEASES caused by Cigarette

Smoking cigarettes will surely kill oneself, but before this person dies, he could experience some pretty terrible health problems from smoking because of some diseases. Here are some of the common diseases caused by smoking:

• Lung Cancer. This is one of the most common diseases caused by Cigarette smoking. Besides, Cigarette smoking is responsible for 87% of lung cancer deaths.

• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is an obstructive lung disease that makes smoker hard to breathe. It causes early death and long-term disability. COPD starts by making it hard to be active, then usually gets worse.

• Heart Disease. Smoking can harm every organ in one's body, including the heart. Smoking can cause blockages and narrow arteries, which means less blood and oxygen flow to your heart.

• Stroke. Smoking affects smokers' arteries, which can trigger stroke. A stroke can cause paralysis, altered brain function, slurred speech, and death.

• Asthma. A chronic lung disease that makes it harder to move air in and out of his lungs. This is because cigarette smoke irritates air passages, it can trigger a sudden and severe asthma attack. Smoking only makes it worse.

• Premature, Low Birth-Weight Babies. The effects of smoking not only impact the mom's health but also the baby. Smoking while pregnant is a big NO-NO for it can cause babies to be born prematurely and/or with a low birth-weight. Besides, Smoking reduced fertility--it more difficult to get pregnant.

• Diabetes. A person is more likely to get TYPE 2 DIABETES if he smokes. Cigarette smoking may increase the risk of complications once diagnosed with diabetes, such as heart and kidney disease, poor blood flow to legs and feet (which leads to infections and possible amputation), blindness, and nerve damage.

• Blindness, Cataracts, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Smoking can make you a person blind. It damages one's eyes and can result in vision loss.

How to Quit Smoking?

Quitting smoking is a hard thing for those people to love and addicted to it but to people who are willing to stop it can find it hard at the beginning but sooner or later they will find it fulfilling once he successfully stops it.

It is very important to make a plan which helps you easily get rid of your smoking habit. Having a nice and strategic plan is better than doing nothing. Remember, Smoking can end your life at a young age. So here are some ways to help you stop it.

Nicotine replacement therapy. Delivering nicotine to the body is controlled, relatively small doses by means of a transdermal patch, an inhaler, chewing gum, or tablets. They are much less addictive than cigarettes for these products do not contain carbon monoxide, tar, or other toxic ingredients that are largely responsible for the health hazards of smoking. All these products are effective, but considering prescriptions from doctors is much better.

Physical activity. It can help you divert your attention from tobacco cravings and reduce your intensity. Running up and down the stairs are easy physical activities that can make a tobacco craving go away. SO, why not getting out for a walk or jog?

If physical activity doesn't interest you, try prayer, woodwork, journaling, or do chores for distraction, such as washing dishes or doing laundry.

Practice relaxation techniques. Smoking may have been others' way to deal with stress but resisting a tobacco craving can itself be stressful. Practicing relaxation techniques, such as muscle relaxation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises, massage, or listening to calming music.

Remind yourself of the good benefits

Reminding yourself of the reasons you want to stop smoking and resist tobacco cravings is also pretty good. These might include:

• Feeling better

• Getting healthier

• Sparing your loved ones from secondhand smoke

• Saving money

Remember, you're one step closer to being totally tobacco-free each time you resist a tobacco craving.

To Sum up, SMOKING is the act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning plant material. Lung Cancer, COPD, Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Blindness, are just some of the diseases caused by smoking cigarettes.

On the other hand, quitting smoking is something that can change and make your life better. So always remind yourself of the diseases that may cause by smoking cigarettes and always remember the good benefits you may get in quitting smoking. But choosing not to do it, in the beginning, is better.

REFERENCES:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/smoking-tobacco

https://www.lung.org/research/sotc/by-the-numbers/10-worst-diseases-smoking-causes

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-depth/nicotine-craving/art-20045454