How Americans Became Addicted to Cigarettes

Good story on how Americans became addicted to cigarettes.  Now decades later, how are our youth still becomming addicted knowing everything we know about the damage it does to our bodies and others that we love ? Thinking about the billion dollar industy we spend on healthy living, health foods, healthy spas, gyms and supplements, I find it very hard to know that althougth we have many advertisments and have educated our young, they still choose to take up this ill serving habit - this is from someone who smoked for 33 year !  I would appreciate and like to hear your comments and thoughts on this subject.

Brians Story

Brians Story is not everyones story but the fact remains that SMOKING KILLS.  When we are smokers the habit is so bad that we justify it with "it won't happen to me" or "I feel fine".  It doesn't matter if this story happens to you at 33 or 73 - the fact is - Some form of smoking diesease will happen to you if you continue to smoke.  I smoked for 33 years.  I was at the doctors the other day and saw a brochure on COPD.  I have quit smoking for 4 1/2 years so of course I think I'm cured, but I asked the question anyway.  "Doctor, I said,  do I have any chance of getting COPD?" He stated " Of course you do - you were a smoker for many years, but we will continue to keep an eye on you and there is a good chance you won't get it since you have quit smoking".  The fact is the lungs recooperate, but I have done damage to my body. The good news is, there is a chance and hope.  Try quitting today if you can, get help in any form that is confortable to you.  You can do it !  I did it after 33 year, my mom of 77 did it after smoking for 62 years !  You can do it too !  I want to quit smoking NOW - Show me how .

8 More Tips to Help Lower Your Cancer Risk After You Quit Smoking

In addition to quitting smoking, the American Cancer Society recommends a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. Here are small lifestyle changes you can also make that may help lower your risk of developing cancer in the future:

• Limit or avoid fried foods.

• Choose whole grains over refined-flour products.

• Cut down on sweets.

• Avoid meats high in fat.

• Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

• Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages to no more than one drink a day if you’re a woman or two if you’re a man.

• Quit smoking.

• Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.

By quitting smoking you have taken the first step in taking charge of your health. Following these tips will help lower your risk of developing many kinds of cancer. Some people are genetically predisposed to cancer because of family history or environmental influences. If you think you may be at high risk of developing cancer, consult your physician

If you haven't quit smoking yet, watch this video

Beware of Rationalization When You Quit Smoking

It is normal when you quit to have thoughts of smoking cigarettes.  People even dream of smoking cigarettes.  I know one morning my dream was so powerful, my throat felt sore and I thought I actually smoked a cigarette in my sleep!  Yes after you quit you do go through some powerful thoughts.

What happens when you become obsessed with the thoughts of cigarettes thoughout your day ?  Many people do and it is something to become aware of.  You might start thinking about your cigarettes and how much you are missing them.  It may seem like you are spending your whole waking day thinking about cigarettes, when in the past you never gave them a second thought.  Soon you might find yourself rationalizing why you should give in to that cigarette.  If you had resolved yourself to quitting because it was good for your health you migh say to yourself " I don't think one cigarette will be that harmful to me ".  If you believed you quit because you might get lung cancer from cigarette smoking.  Now as that urge becomes so powerful, you are thinking to yourself " Millions of people have lived to a ripe old age who smoked and have not had cigarette induced illnesses".  Or what about the person who's cravings are so bad and quit heavy smoking now believes because he / she reduced the amount of cigarettes they smoke daily it no longer is a threat to their health and does not want to quit all the way. 

The rationalizations go on and on.  Do any of these sound familar ?
Cigarettes cost too much  - It's only money
I quit this time, I can always quit again
The tension is unbearable
It isn't worth the hassel
I can do it later
I'm just to weak
I can't do it
Which part of you wins?  The non-smoker will will if you are mentally ready to combat the rationalizations with your resolve to quit when these reationslizations pop into your head. 

If one of your reasons was to quit to become more health here is one example of how you can combat these retionalizations or games your mind plays with you :  During your workday you feel stressed and suddenly get an uncontrolable urge to have a cigarette.  You say to yourself  " This just isn't worth it " and want to light up.  You instantly have to be ready with another statement such as " You better believe this is worth it because millions of people do die from cigarette related illinesses and I want to live a long smoke free life "
This will be a life long process, because your mind may always want "just that one cigarette".  I know I do but I have to tell myself, if I have just one, I will be a full fledged smoker again and I know that's what I don't want - so I know that I cannot have "just one".