Sunday, September 30, 2012

Quitting Cold Turkey

For years, scientists have been trying to find the reason behind why some smokers can successfully beat their nicotine addiction the old-fashioned way, by quitting "cold turkey", while the majority of long-term smokers find it much more difficult to stop smoking.

Recent research is uncovering that a person's genetic disposition may possibly be involved in that reason. That same research also suggests that a person’s genetic makeup can help better predict who is most likely to respond to drug therapy and other interventions into their nicotine addiction.

Regardless, what is known is that a nicotine addiction is a multi-factorial condition.

There are many different factors involved in the process of becoming and remaining a smoker, and there will be many different forces trying to keep one from successfully quitting. So, until scientists discover that reason, it makes sense that one must incorporate a comprehensive set of strategies in order to beat their addiction.

Know this - the odds are against anyone quitting "cold turkey", don't beat yourself up if you've failed.

Quitting smoking is NOT just dependent upon sheer willpower. And failing to quit smoking cold turkey shouldn't be viewed as being weak-minded. Persistence is the key to success. Keep trying to quit smoking, and use any and all of the tools available to you to help enable your success.


Source: Washington State Department of Health: Tobacco

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Are Your Children Being Targeted?

The tobacco industry's influence is everywhere, yet most people have become so accustomed to the ways that tobacco marketing infiltrates our daily lives and has become embedded in our culture that its presence goes unnoticed. They succeed in finding replacement smokers by using images of attractive young adults who look healthy, independent and adventurous - all of which appeal to youth.

But parents can easily prevent their children from falling victim to the tobacco industry by enlisting the free help and support of America's Doctor. Learn the facts about tobacco abuse and pass them on to your children before they reach that age when they think they know better than you.


Source: TobaccoFreeCA

The Environmental Impact of Cigarette Butts

Whether you smoke or not, we all pay the price of tobacco.


Source: TobaccoFreeCA

Thursday, September 20, 2012

A Good Death | Short Film About COPD

According to the film's creator, “A Good Death” is designed for patients with COPD or other serious lung conditions, their families, and the doctors and nurses who provide care for them.

It is not an easy film to watch, because it describes the end-of-life struggles of a real patient, Mr. Martin Cavanagh, and his family during the last months of his life.

The film is designed to introduce the concept of ADVANCE CARE PLANNING. It is meant to prompt meaningful discussion and helpful planning for future care for patients whose respiratory illness is leading them to the end of their life. It is about making thoughtful choices.

And it's that concept of "thoughtful choices" why I'm posting the film here too.

Not everyone diagnosed with COPD gets it from smoking. There is a small percentage of the patient population, like Mr. Cavanagh, who suffers from this terrible affliction through no fault of their own.

But, smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD. Smoking can be prevented.

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking. Female smokers are nearly 13 times as likely to die from COPD as women who have never smoked. Male smokers are nearly 12 times as likely to die from COPD as men who have never smoked.

And the age at which more people are being diagnosed with COPD is falling.

Traditionally found in smokers 50-60 years of age. Now-a-days, there are many more smokers being diagnosed with early-stage COPD while only in their 30s and 40s. Remember, COPD is irreversible.

It's disturbing to me to watch the slow, progressive, and painful death of someone who has COPD. Imagine yourself or one of your loved ones in this poor man's shoes. But what's really disturbing is that this mainly self-inflicted disease is one that can be so easily prevented by never becoming a smoker, or quitting smoking before it's too late.

So, I'm presenting this film on Smoking Blows as a message of PREVENTATIVE CARE PLANNING. As difficult as it may be for you, please make an effort to quit smoking before you contract COPD.


A Good Death from PRN Films on Vimeo.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Puck Smoking

What do you do when your child is six years old and there's tremendous peer pressure from his friends to start smoking? It's not too tricky. Show him the magic way to avoid becoming a smoker.


No Smoking from puckmagic on Vimeo and The Magic of Puck.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Are You Still Smoking?

How many more blog posts do I need to write in order to make you understand that your addiction to cigarettes is causing serious damage to your love life? Make an effort to put that cigarette down.


Source: Brandy

Friday, September 7, 2012

Gerri's Story

Meet Gerri. She's only 57 years old, and she's dying from emphysema caused by chronic smoking.

Emphysema is now the third leading cause of death in the U.S. In this incurable disease, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed.

Included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (pulmonary refers to the lungs), emphysema is called an obstructive lung disease because the destruction of lung tissue around smaller sacs, called alveoli, makes these air sacs lose their elasticity, and unable to hold their functional shape upon exhalation.

About 9 out of 10 emphysema cases are caused by smoking. Please don't wait to quit smoking.


Source: Tobacco Free Florida

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Quit Smoking Before You Become A Statistic

One-half of all lifetime smokers will die early because of their decisions to smoke. Quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. Quitting smoking may be difficult, but dying from smoking is rarely quick, and it's never painless.

Enlist some free help to kick your addiction before you become one of those unfortunate statistics.


Source: NYC Quits! | Hat tip: Tobacco Prevention K12

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Steve's Story

Can you name something that you do at least fifty times daily?


Source: truth