LEARN  NEW WAYS TO STOP SMOKING

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Smoking is one of main public health problem. About half a million eaths per year in the United States are due to smoking. These deaths happen as a result of cancers, breathing problems, strokes, and many other smoke-related health problems.
Tobacco smoking causes an even higher number of disabilities, pain, and suffering from different diseases.

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemical agents; at least 60 of these cause cancer!
The addictive ingredient in cigarette smoke is nicotine. Nicotine is VERY addictive. Cigarette companies are aware of this and manipulate levels of nicotine in cigarettes to make sure that smokers become addicted.
Nicotine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream; within 30 seconds of entering the body, it reaches the brain. It causes the brain to release special chemicals that create feelings of pleasure and energy. One of these chemicals is called epinephrine. The feelings that are created are usually called a "high" or a "buzz."

Within half an hour, the "buzz" fades away and the smoker is left feeling depressed and tired. This feeling is what causes smokers to light up the next cigarette. The cycle of stimulation and depression keeps repeating, which leads to addiction.

Since the body is able to build up a high tolerance to nicotine, smokers gradually smoke more and more in order to get the same "high."
It has been proven that the craving for nicotine increases as levels of emotional and physical stress increase. Therefore, feeling stressed out can lead to more smoking.
During the period of smoking cessation the craving for nicotine leads to withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Short temper
• Anger
• Aggression
• Negative feelings

Besides nicotine, cigarette smoke also includes carbon monoxide, also called CO. This gas is the same gas that kills people who commit suicide by turning their car engine on and closing the garage door!
In small quantities, like the amount a smoker gets from smoking, exposure to carbon monoxide increases the risk of developing heart disease.

Tar is also found in cigarette smoke; it has been linked to different kinds of cancer, as well as damage to the lining of the lungs.

When a person smokes, it not only affects the smoker, but also the people who are exposed to the smoke. Anyone nearby when a person is smoking breathes in the smoke that is exhaled from the smoker, as well as the smoke that comes from the cigarette, cigar, or pipe. This is known as secondhand smoke.