Let's
assume that you smoke. We can further assume that you
have been a smoker for several years. I don't believe
that you started smoking yesterday, and if you did, just put
your cigarette out and don't pick it up again. This is
one of the nastiest vices any of us can become addicted to.
I
know, you have heard this too many times before. But is
your decision, you do what you want. No one can tell you
what to do right? Right. This is one of my
favorites: We all have to die of something. Here is
another one: I know of people who have never smoked and they
still died of lung cancer. I am not going to get cancer,
I am one of the healthiest people I know! I can continue
with pages and pages of excuses why we smoke and why we don't
want to quit.
Smoking
kills, not only kills us but those who we love. Especially if your lungs are already predisposed
with diseases such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonias, asthma,
COPD, and Emphysema. You are already suffering from lack
of oxygen to your brain and all the air is trapped in your
lungs, so why do you want to make matters worst? Because
you are truly hooked up on smoking. Stopping smoking is
one of the most difficult things you will ever do.
Quitting smoking can be compared with getting off drugs such
as heroin and cocaine. It is that difficult.
Smoking is more addictive as the above mentioned drugs.
Several
studies have shown that people who have quit cold turkey
without any type of support will more likely start smoking
again at one point in time. On the other hand, the
chances of really quitting smoking for good is higher
for those who not only get help with items like the patch,
gum, etc. but also get some type of support by a person or a
group. If you are serious about quitting, call
1-800-NO-BUTTS. They will send you a package with all
the information you need and will set appointments for one of
the counselors to talk to you every day. By doing this,
you are going to have a higher rate of success on your
endeavor.
The
tobacco companies put over 50 additives and carcinogens in the cigarettes not
only to make them more addictive, but to smell better, to
taste better, to open your air passages so more nicotine and
tar is delivered to your lungs and the list continues. Only the tobacco companies know what are the
additives they put on their products and own brands, and they
have not released the information to any one, not even the
government. You have to remember that the tobacco
companies have one goal and one goal only, sell their
product and keep people who are smokers, smoking.
Regardless of what they say, or how much money they claim to
spend on prevention, the core of their operation is to keep
smokers smoking, getting new smokers, and the younger they are
the better. Our children are the ones at risk here.
I
also believe that if you are a smoker and you develop cancer,
it is not the fault of the tobacco company that you did.
It is your fault as you are the one who smokes and has
disregarded the many warnings, programs, aids, etc., that have
been around for many years to help you kick the habit.
If you don't quit even though you know what the damage to your
lungs, organs and brain is, you should at least take
responsibility for your actions. Yes, it is true that
the tobacco companies distribute their product, and yes it is
true that you don't know how many additives and carcinogens go into the cigarettes,
and it is true that you believe that smoking is cool and you
are addicted to it, but it is also true that with all the
information that has been distributed about smoking and its
effects you know what you are doing so when you are on oxygen,
unable to move, unable to think and with cancer don't go suing
the company on the basis that is their fault you are in that
situation. You are in that situation because you chose
to be.
Now,
you know that if you have at least 50 additives and
carcinogens added to cigarettes they are not good for you.
Get
in a program that will help you quit smoking as it is not only
deadly for you but for those around you. Furthermore, if
you have children around you, or you have someone that suffers
from any lung disease such as asthma, the least that you can
do is have the courtesy of not smoking around them. The
damage you are causing them is as serious as the damage you
are causing yourself. Besides there are other ways to
prove that you don't care about those around you that is not
as obvious as smoking while you are around them. If you hate
them that much, come up with other ways to make them know that
you despise them.
Remember
that you are not playing Russian roulette only with your
health. You are doing it with the health of
others. If you want to die that is your choice, but
don't play God with the health and life of others.
