At this time, when I am writing this article, I am not smoking any longer, and I am very happy with my achievement. It was a hard way to quit smoking, as at the peak I reached burning out a full pack per day, since I was a teenager at 16 years old, now being in my 41.
I quit smoking 10 years ago, I am feeling very well since then, and I have decided to put in place few words to help you as well to make a decision on quit smoking, without any money spent on pills, drugs, creams or other substitutes (even though some of them may help) that are presented on the commercials this days.
Why Quit Smoking is So Difficult?
Regardless their way of being presented, traditional cigarettes, electronic-cigs, vaping cigs, or any other tobacco products, they are all very hard to quit smoking once started with them – and the main responsible ingredient for, is the NICOTINE, keeping our addiction alive.
Nicotine is getting immediately in our body and creates the addiction and the difficulty in quitting smoking even when we are trying very hard on stopping this habit.
After a quick research on the webpage of the American Lung Association, I found that a cigarette besides the nicotine, it has approximately 600 ingredients and when burned, cigarettes create more than 7,000 chemicals.
Below you can find listed the main chemicals that can be found in a cigarette highlighted on the American Lung Association:
- Acetone—found in nail polish remover
- Acetic acid—an ingredient in hair dye
- Ammonia—a common household cleaner
- Arsenic—used in rat poison
- Benzene—found in rubber cement and gasoline
- Butane—used in lighter fluid
- Cadmium—active component in battery acid
- Carbon monoxide—released in car exhaust fumes
- Formaldehyde—embalming fluid
- Hexamine—found in barbecue lighter fluid
- Lead—used in batteries
- Naphthalene—an ingredient in mothballs
- Methanol—a main component in rocket fuel
- Tar—material for paving roads
- Toluene—used to manufacture pai
Why We Should Quit Smoking?
Smoking, vaping, E-Cigs have the potential to affect us in many ways. Our body, our health, are very sensitive and can be affected immediately by all the factors around us, starting with processed food, air pollution, alcohol and tobacco products make no exception, contributing as well on this.
According to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarettes smoking can lead to::
- Cancer
- Heart disease and stroke
- Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Harmful reproductive health effects
- Other diseases, including certain eye diseases and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis
Benefits On Health from Quit Smoking
In my case, the main benefit, was in increased the lungs resistance/ capacity, especially during running or heavy efforts, better skin appearance, no more bad smells.
- Quitting smoking is one of the most important actions people can take to improve their health.
- Quitting smoking improves health and reduces the risk of premature death. Quitting also reduces the risk for smoking-related diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and COPD.
How to Quit Smoking?
Looking back on my situation, it was like this: New Year eve resolution – 1st of January – I will STOP Smoking! and I did so! No other secrets, no other pills or supplements to help me out – Just STOP!
During the New Year party, I smoke a last cigar, and after the mid night I throw everything that I had related to smoking, and this was the start of my road.
First two weeks, decisive, were very stressful, as the nicotine was pushing me to start smoking again. For this 2 weeks I stopped drinking coffee, zero alcohol or any other habits that could connect me to smoking cigarettes. A secondary effect, of the first 2 weeks, was eating more then usual – I took little bit of weight, which was a not a bad think at the end of the day, as I was kind of a skinny person.
In 2 weeks, the addiction for smoking dropped a lot, and I could feel the benefit of quit smoking, starting from the bad smell of cigarettes, no more money spent on cigarettes, better health habits, etc.
In conclusion, if you are smoker, and looking for solutions on how to quit smoking – JUST STOP – do not look for alternatives, reducing the cigarettes numbers per day, tablets with nicotine, creams, plasters, etc. (some may help but is not a guarantee).
Start from today, QUIT SMOKING, throw to the bin your cigarettes, lighters, e-Cigs, vaping bottles, and STOP. This is the hard way, but is the best way to do it for a better health. Take the courage and ambition and do it – ask for support on your family members and friends, are there for you and care on you – the benefits will reward you immediately.
If you need more advices from a friend, text me in the comments, leave your e-mail address and we can chat about it, I can be your support on this path, as I understand it very well.