Tuesday 15 October 2013

A small initiative to make my readers aware....... STOP smoking

90 percent of smokers began before the age 21.


Every day, almost 3,900 adolescents under 18 years of age try their first cigarette. More than 950 of them will become daily smokers.



About 30 percent of teen smokers will continue smoking and die early from a smoking-related disease.

Teen smokers are more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression.

1 of 5 teenagers who are addicted to cigarettes smokes 13-15 a day.

Approximately 1.5 million packs of cigarettes are purchased for minors annually.

Smoking can age skin faster, second only to the effect sun exposure has on giving premature wrinkles.

On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers.

According to the Surgeon General, teenagers who smoke are three times more likely to use alcohol, eight times more likely to smoke marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine.

The lungs of teens who smoke will not develop fully, which puts them at higher risk for lung disease.

In the United States, about 20 percent of teens consider themselves to be regular smokers.

Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive


  • Bad skin= Because smoking can slow the flow of blood vessels, it can prevent oxygen and nutrients from getting to the skin — which is why smokers often appear pale and unhealthy. Studies have also linked smoking to an increased risk of getting a type of skin rash called psoriasi
  • Bad breath. Cigarettes leave smokers with a condition called halitosis, or persistent bad breath.
  • Bad-smelling clothes and hair. The smell of stale smoke tends to linger — not just on people's clothing, but on their hair, furniture, and cars. And it's often hard to get the smell of smoke out.
  • Reduced athletic performance. People who smoke usually can't compete with nonsmoking peers because the physical effects of smoking (like rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation, and shortness of breath) impair sports performance.
  • Greater risk of injury and slower healing time. Smoking affects the body's ability to produce collagen, so common sports injuries, such as damage to tendons and ligaments, will heal more slowly in smokers than nonsmokers.
  • Increased risk of illness. Studies show that smokers get more colds, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia than nonsmokers. And people with certain health conditions, like asthma, become more sick if they smoke (and often if they're just around people who smoke). Because teens who smoke as a way to manage weight often light up instead of eating, their bodies also lack the nutrients they need to grow, develop, and fight off illness properly



Want to kick that bad habit that makes your hands, clothes and hair stink, and probably has your lungs as black as coal? Putting some thought into it can help you quit for good!


  • Set a date. Pick an “I quit” day that is stress free but you have stuff to do to keep your mind off the cancer stick.
  • Write down your reasons . Jot down why you’re quitting and keep the list with you so you can look at them when you get a craving.
  • Quit for love. Carry a picture of someone special with the message: “I’m quitting for myself and for you.” When you have an urge, look at the pic to remind you.
  • Expert advice. Talk to your doctor about quitting. Guidance from a physician will improve your chances of quitting for good.
  • Get help. Find yourself a quitting partner and set a quit date together so you can support one another.
  • Recruit your team. Tell your friends about your plans. Ask them to be supportive and non-judgmental, and warn them that you may be irritable.
  • Work it out. Start an exercise and healthy eating plan. Exercise and the right food will help you relax and relieve anxiety.
  • Identify your triggers. What makes you want to lights up? Stress? Coffee? Try to avoid them and/or decide how you’ll deal with them.
  • Plan for the urge. Figure out a plan for dealing with cravings. Try deep breathing, a short walk and keeping your hands and mouth busy.
  • Give yourself props. Celebrate the milestones in your journey. After a month of smoke-free living, see a movie. After six months, treat yourself to a nice 
  • dinner. After a year, throw an “I quit!” party. You get the idea.



  • Believe you can. Be positive and confident that you can quit and remain a non-smoker!





More tips to quit smoking :
http://techtouchindia.blogspot.in/2012/08/quit-smoking-tips.html

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