subject: To smoke, or not to smoke [print this page] To smoke, or not to smoke To smoke, or not to smoke
Smoking related illnesses are the #1 cause of preventable premature death in the nation, not to mention the world. 443,000 people lose their life each year in the United Statesdue to these illnesses. Thats more then the deaths related to illeagal drug use. Wow right! How is it that something that is so unhealthy could still be leagal? Thats easy $$$$$$. Not only is there money to be made from the tobacco companies point of view, but also the pharmaceutical, medical, and federal points of view, but I'm not going to go on a rant about that now. Thats a topic for another day. I am on here to discuss what is being put in cigarettes during the making/processing of cigarettes, and how it is affecting you overall health.
Would you knowingly ingest poison? Of coarse not, no one in their right mind would. Well that is exactly what you are doing every time you light up a cigarette. You are inhaling poisons such as benzene, (used as a solvent in fuel and chemical manufacturing) formaldehyde, (used to preserve the dead) ammonia, (used as a potent cleaning agent) acetone, (used as a solvent eg. paint thinner, nail pollish remover) carbon monoxide, (the same gasses that emit for the exhaust of a vehicle) arsenic, (used as rat poison) hydrogen cyanide (used in gas chambers), and polonium 210 (250,000 time more toxic than hydrogen cyanide. All of these chemicals can be viewed on wikipedia
No wonder so many people die each year. It's a wonder that the death toll isn't greater. That is a lot of poison even if it is in small doses, the end result is the same. Death! It may come in differt forms like heart disease, stroke, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, (COPD) or a variety of cancers. No one knows exactly how smoking will affect them until it does.
So is there a way out of this very addictive, and deadly habit? Yes, you have options. Some are more effective than others. Nicotine gum is one way that people try to curb the addiction, if this is a route that you are interested in be aware that there is only a 3-9% success rate with nicotine gum. The same could be said for the patch as well. unfortunatlly pharmaceuticals don't fair to much better due to their side effects. There has been breakthrough using lasers for cessation, but it can be pricey.I don't mean to dis these cessation techniques, but myself, and people I know have tried these technique with no lasting effects.
Electronic cigarettes are another option. Although they are not meant to be a cessation device many people swear by their effectiveness. They have none of the toxic chemicals found in traditional cigarettes, but have the nicotine that is craved.I am no longer a smoker, but I have family members that are. They have been able to switch to to e-cigs without the physical, mental or emotional withdrawl that usually is attached to quitting smoking. I have also looked in to it, and foud that e-cigs have been 83% successfull at helping people stop. I hope this has been helpful as I like many of you have lost loved ones to the illnesses that are linked to smoking. Good Luck with whichever option you choose
