EVERYONE STOP SMOKING!!!

[thesandalman]

I am sick and tired of all my freinds smoking!!Hopefully, you all know I love ya, but seriously this is for you more than me.  I know it is hard.  I can't say I know how hard it is, but here maybe some motivation!  If this helps one person quit smoking this post will be well worth it!!!

Everyone knows that smoking can cause cancer when you get older, but did you know that it also has bad effects on your body right now? A cigarette contains about 4000 chemicals, many of which are poisonous. Some of the worst ones are:

• Nicotine: a deadly poison
• Arsenic: used in rat poison
• Methane: a component of rocket fuel
• Ammonia: found in floor cleaner
• Cadmium: used in batteries
• Carbon Monoxide: part of car exhaust
• Formaldehyde: used to preserve body tissue
• Butane: lighter fluid
• Hydrogen Cyanide: the poison used in gas chambers

Every time you inhale smoke from a cigarette, small amounts of these chemicals get into your blood through your lungs. They travel to all the parts of your body and cause harm.

• Smoking makes you smell bad, gives you wrinkles, stains your teeth, and gives you bad breath.
• Smokers get 3 times more cavities than non-smokers.
• Smoking lowers your hormone levels.
• When smokers catch a cold, they are more likely than non-smokers to have a cough that lasts a long time. They are also more likely than non-smokers to get bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Teen smokers have smaller lungs and a weaker heart than teen non-smokers. They also get sick more often than teens who don't smoke.

• You will live longer and live better.
• Quitting will lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or cancer.
• If you are pregnant, quitting smoking will improve your chances of having a healthy baby.
• The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier.
• You will have extra money to spend on things other than cigarettes.

          Healthy                                unhealthy




Studies have shown that these five steps will help you quit and quit for good. You have the best chances of quitting if you use them together:

1. Get ready.
   
2. Get support.
   
3. Learn new skills and behaviors.
   
4. Get medication and use it correctly.
   
5. Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations.

1. Get Ready

• Set a quit date.
  
• Change your environment.
  
  1. Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car, and place of work.
     
  2. Don't let people smoke in your home.
• Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.
  
• Once you quit, don't smoke-NOT EVEN A PUFF!

2. Get Support and Encouragement

Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. You can get support in many ways:

• Tell your family, friends, and coworkers that you are going to quit and want their support. Ask them not to smoke around you or leave cigarettes out.
  
• Talk to your health care provider (for example, doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, psychologist, or smoking counselor).
  
• Get individual, group, or telephone counseling. The more counseling you have, the better your chances are of quitting. Programs are given at local hospitals and health centers. Call your local health department for information about programs in your area.

3. Learn New Skills and Behaviors

• Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke. Talk to someone, go for a walk, or get busy with a task.
  
• When you first try to quit, change your routine. Use a different route to work. Drink tea instead of coffee. Eat breakfast in a different place.
  
• Do something to reduce your stress. Take a hot bath, exercise, or read a book.
  
• Plan something enjoyable to do every day.
  
• Drink a lot of water and other fluids.

4. Get Medication and Use It Correctly

Medications can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications to help you quit smoking:
  
  1. Bupropion SR-Available by prescription.
     
  2. Nicotine gum-Available over-the-counter.
     
  3. Nicotine inhaler-Available by prescription.
     
  4. Nicotine nasal spray-Available by prescription.
     
  5. Nicotine patch-Available by prescription and over-the-counter.
• Ask your health care provider for advice and carefully read the information on the package.
  
• All of these medications will more or less double your chances of quitting and quitting for good.
  
• Everyone who is trying to quit may benefit from using a medication. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, nursing, under age 18, smoking fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or have a medical condition, talk to your doctor or other health care provider before taking medications.

5. Be Prepared for Relapse or Difficult Situations

Most relapses occur within the first 3 months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit. Here are some difficult situations to watch for:

• Alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol. Drinking lowers your chances of success.
• Other smokers. Being around smoking can make you want to smoke.
• Weight gain. Many smokers will gain weight when they quit, usually less than 10 pounds. Eat a healthy diet and stay active. Don't let weight gain distract you from your main goal-quitting smoking. Some quit-smoking medications may help delay weight gain.
• Bad mood or depression. There are a lot of ways to improve your mood other than smoking.