Tobacco
Is there a safe way to smoke?
No...all cigarettes can cause damage to the human body and even a small amount is dangerous. Cigarettes are perhaps the only legal product whose advertised and intended use -smoking-is harmful to the body and is a proven cancer-causer.
Is cigarette smoking really addictive?
Yes...the nicotine in cigarette smoke is what causes an addiction to smoking. Nicotine is a drug which is addicting for three main reasons.
First, when taken in small amounts, nicotine produces pleasurable feelings that make the smoker want to smoke more.
Second, smokers usually become dependent on nicotine and suffer both physiological and physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking.
Third, because nicotine affects the chemistry of the brain and central nervous system, it can affect the mood and temperament of the smoker.
What does Nicotine do?
Nicotine is a poison and taken in large doses could kill a person by paralyzing breathing muscles. Smokers usually take it in small amounts that the body can quickly break down and get rid of. The first dose of nicotine causes the person to feel awake and alert, while later doses result in a calm, relaxed feeling.
What in cigarette smoke is harmful?
Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds generated by the combustion (burning) of tobacco and additives. Cigarette smoke contains tar, which is made up of over 4,000 chemicals, including the 43 known to cause cancer. Some of these substances cause heart and respiratory diseases, all of which are disabling and can cause death. Some of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke include: cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol (wood alcohol), acetylene, and ammonia. It also contains the poisonous gases nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide.
Can Quitting Really help a life long smoker?
Yes! It's never too late to quit. The sooner the smoker quits, the more they can reduce their chances of getting cancer and other diseases.
How do people successfully Quit?
Each year about 17 million people try to quit for at least a day during the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. Of these quitters, more than 4 million still aren't smoking after three months. About 90% of those who have tried to quit have done so on their own...either by stopping "cold turkey" or using other methods. Cigarette smoking in adults dropped from 42% in 1965 to 25% in 1993. There is no right way to quit. Successful cessation may include one or a combination of methods including using manuals, attending self-help classes, utilizing a smoking cessation specialist, or using a nicotine replacement therapy (nicotine patch or gum, or nasal spray).
What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy?
Nicotine replacement therapies are medications that provide nicotine without the other harmful components of cigarette smoke. To be most effective, nicotine replacement therapy should be used with a cessation program that addresses a person's psychological and habitual dependence on smoking. By chewing gum containing nicotine or wearing a transdermal patch from which the skin absorbs nicotine, a smoker's withdrawal symptoms are significantly decreased or eliminated. When using these products, it is very important that users do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco in any form.