Watkins Heritage Remedies - Help Stop Smoking

What Everybody Ought to Know About Second Hand Smoke

thacker@watkinsonline.com (Melody Thacker) — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:38:56 -0700

Have you noticed that more and more restaurants, bars, stores, and even entire cities have banned smoking in public buildings? If you are a smoker you probably think it's a pain but the reason is simple, it's because we now know that you can not only die from smoking cigarettes, but also from breathing in smoke in the air around us. Second hand smoke, whether from the burning end of the cigarette, or from a smoker exhaling, can be a serious hazard to your health.

Here's what everybody ought to know about second hand smoke:

Did you know that second hand smoke contains over 60 chemicals that cause or may cause cancer? Thousands of non-smokers die of lung cancer every year, thought to be caused from second hand smoke.

Did you know that some of the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke are: formaldehyde, benzene, vinyl chlorine, arsenic ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide? Sounds pretty awful!

Did you know that second hand smoke causes heart disease in non-smokers? Heart disease accounts for tens of thousands of deaths every year.

Did you know that non-smokers often visit the doctor for lung related problems caused by second hand smoke? These problems range from coughing, respiratory infections to a decrease in lung functioning.

Did you know that pregnant women exposed to second hand smoke are more likely to have babies with below average birth weights?

Did you know that the incidence of breast cancer may be increased by exposure to second hand smoke?

If you are an adult you generally have the option or ability to leave the room or an area where someone is smoking. However, children don't usually have that luxury and they are more susceptible to the damage caused by cigarette smoke.

Here's what everybody ought to know about second hand smoke that specifically affects children:

Did you know that second hand smoke causes over 150,000 lower respiratory infections every year, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, in children under the age of 18 months?

Did you know that second hand smoke has been indicated as a cause of many SIDS deaths?

Did you know that second hand smoke significantly increases the severity of asthma attacks in children?

Did you know that second hand smoke causes many children to develop ear infections?

Set a good example for your children, don't allow anyone to smoke near your children, including yourself. Subjecting them to smoking can not only cause health problems now but it can impact their health all the way through to adulthood. You are an important role model for your children so you should attempt to quit for their sake. I know how hard it is to do, if you can't quit, at least try to go outside to smoke.

These are just some of the known problems associated with second hand smoke. Tabacco companies have known for many years that both smoking and second hand smoke is dangerous, but they kept this information to themselves. Don't you think it's rather disturbing to think what other consequences second hand smoke causes that we haven't found yet?

Proctect yourself from second hand smoke, if you are a smoker, please try to quit or smoke outdoors to lessen your own exposure. If someone you know smokes near you, encourage them to quit or ask them not to smoke when they're with you or your children.

Immediate Benefit of Quitting Smoking

thacker@watkinsonline.com (Melody Thacker) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 16:10:59 -0700

The most immediate benefit you'll enjoy is the money you save! Since I quit I've saved almost $600, it's really incredible how quickly it adds up. I'm dreaming of all the things I can buy with my new found savings...

A car
New kitchen cabinets
A new wardrobe
A vacation

Actually I think I'm going to add it to my retirement fund because I'm planning on living for a long time!

The Stop Smoking Cigarettes Journey

thacker@watkinsonline.com (Melody Thacker) — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 10:37:03 -0700

After smoking two packs of cigarettes a day I think I'm doing pretty good, as I've only smoked about two packs in the last two weeks! The cravings are not as steady and intense and the habit is weakening. I can finally sit down, do some work and concentrate. My official quit day has come and gone so no more cigarettes for me.

The most embarrassing thing has been my behaviour! Being an addict makes a person do things that are strange and very out of character. Like sneaking around to have a smoke or even smoking old cigarette buts. Yuck! I feel like a criminal.

I'm reaching for a glass of water when I get the urge, water is a healthy replacement habit plus I have a few hard cardies handy and nicotine gum for the more intense cravings. First thing in the morning and after meals is the worst time for me right now. I know it will pass so I try to do something else to get my mind off wanting a cigarette. An interesting note; I'm not as cranky and irratable as I thought I'd be. Maybe it will come but in the mean time everyone around my house is lucky in that area.

My family has been very supportive and everyone says they are proud of me which is great. I also joined Quit Net and did a bit of exploring. It's free to join and they have a lot of resouces and support. It's easier to stop smoking if you have support. If you want to stop smoking cigarettes you might want to consider joining Quit Net too.

Another great information and resource site I'd like to share with today is How To Quit. Good luck in your journey to quitting for good!

What's Your Story?

thacker@watkinsonline.com (Melody Thacker) — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 16:15:35 -0700

If I'm honest I'll admit that I wasn't feeling that great for months but then I almost ended up in the hospital with a severe asthma attack. I noticed I was getting tired faster and just couldn't get motivated to go for a walk. There were a number of contributing factors to my getting sick, stress, weather, allergies, a virus and my poor body just couldn't cope any longer. I'm sure smoking didn't help either.

Getting sick should be my wake up call, I didn't smoke for nearly a week so it's a great time to quit. Now that I'm feeling better and back to my normal routine it's a hard habit to break. The cravings are hard but it's the habit I'm having the most trouble with I think.

I'm trying to reach for a glass of water rather than a smoke and there is no smoking in the house. I'm hoping that in a few days I'll be less antsy and be able to focus better. What's you story and what are you doing to quit?

Stop Smoking Help and Support

thacker@watkinsonline.com (Melody Thacker) — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 14:30:24 -0700

We all know that the best thing that you can do for your health is to stop smoking. But it's easier said than done. Are you trying to quit, or maybe you've been thinking about it for awhile? Why not join us on a journey to stop smoking for good. Whether it's you first time quitting or your tenth time you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

I'd like to share this interesting site with you today Quit Net, it looks like it might provide some excellent resouces and support.

Let us know what's working for you, and what's not by posting you comments!