Quit smoking aids

Quit Smoking Tips - Your State of Mind Makes All the Difference

2010-01-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

keys:quit smoking, quit smoking tips, quitting smoking, stop smoking

One the best quit smoking tips I can give you is how to think about quitting smoking. By far the most problematic symptoms of withdrawal come from the ways in which you are thinking about smoking and not smoking. It is not possible to have no attitude at all. What attitude you take is what makes all the difference to your process, how traumatic it is and how successful you will be.

When you first quit smoking, assuming you are not avoiding and repressing, you can expect your desire to smoke to be fairly constant for about two days. For some people it's continuous and for others it comes and goes in waves. The second day is often more intense than the first.

During this time, you may also be quite disorientated, so you end up feeling rather peculiar, to say the least. After these two days (variable from person to person) you will see the desire to smoke begin to diminish.

The people I have worked with who just experience their desire, and nothing else, are willing to accept it as a temporary phase and don't see it as a problem. It doesn't have to feel like hell.

Problems arise if, when they feel the desire for a smoke, people tell themselves they can no longer satisfy it. They deny choice, and they do that because they think that to acknowledge the freedom to smoke means they will smoke. The challenge is to fully acknowledge that the option of smoking exists - without actually doing it.

If you feel any of the following symptoms of deprivation after you stop smoking, then you have not yet changed the way you are thinking in this regard:

Desire to smoke doesn't diminish. Even a week after you quit smoking, you still feel an intense and persistent desire, perhaps for hours on end, because the one thing you think you 'can't' have is the one thing you want the most.

Stress. Take a look at this list of symptoms: loss of temper, loss of sense of humor, loss of concentration, difficulty making decisions, 'cotton wool' head, tiredness not relieved by sleep, insomnia, indigestion, overeating, depression, headaches, heart palpitations, chest pains, heartburn, trembling, leg cramps, twitching in limbs.

I copied this list from a book, but it wasn't a book about smoking, it was a book about stress. It's not a complete list. Stress will show up in different ways in different people - depending on your Achilles heel.

The most important thing to understand about stress is that the symptoms are often psychosomatic: physical problems with causes created by a state of mind. Extensive research on stress points to lack of choice as the principal cause. If you have a desire and you tell yourself you can't smoke, you are guaranteed to create symptoms of stress, especially:

Irritability: which may really be repressed rage.

Anxiety: like a caged wild animal you become restless, anxious and can even reach a state of panic. Symptoms of panic attacks are: palpitations, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, hot and cold flushes, sweating and trembling.

Tension: fighting the desire can create aches in neck, shoulders and stomach, nausea and difficulty relaxing.

Depression: which could be seen as a form of repressed anger. Some of the symptoms are: loss of energy, apathy, early-morning waking, inability to concentrate or make decisions.

Forget ridiculous aversion and repression techniques - successfully quitting smoking is all about looking your addiction straight in the eye and dealing with it head on. Use these quit smoking tips to help you stop today and stay stopped for good.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kym_Litchfield

Discover the Easy Way to Stop Smoking - And Kick That Nasty Habit to the Curb!

2010-01-07T12:31:00.000-08:00

"The Easy Way To Stop Smoking" - does such a thing exist? Two weeks ago, I would have told you "no!"

From everyone I had heard from who had tried to quit smoking, it was the hardest thing in the world. Most had tried multiple times to quit smoking but kept going back to it, especially when something bad or stressful would happen in their lives.

The only people I had heard of who were able to quit smoking easily were my grandfather - who only smoked a pipe... and my roommate in college - who only smoked at parties. I didn't think it was possible for a regular "full time smoker" to find and easy way to stop smoking because of all the physical withdrawal symptoms that their body would go through as an effect of getting the nicotine out of their system.

But then, I was surprised to hear about a Stop Smoking program that had a 97% success rate. And the people who went through the program were able to quit in 7 days without all of the usual headaches and cravings that seem to be part of the quitting smoking process for many people.

I don't know all the quit smoking statistics, but I would guess that a success rate like that is higher than most smoking cessation programs.

Even if you take all the stop smoking aids like the nicotine gum and patches... I feel like you just get addicted to those instead of to cigarettes.

To me, it makes sense to find out what other people are doing who have stopped smoking successfully and then duplicate their success.

That's why I think you should read more about the easy way to stop smoking that I discovered. I wrote a little article about it on my website. Read my story, read the testimonials and then make the decision yourself if you're really ready to quit smoking for good!

Of course, if you don't believe it and want other easy way to stop smoking, I've got a separate article about that for you here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Emily_Cressey

HOW TO STOP SMOKING IN FOUR EASY STEPS

2009-09-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

veryone will agree that to stop smoking successfully you have to get your mind around it. Hypnosis makes it easier to do just that. Hypnosis downloads can be used to make it easy to be a non smoker.

Everyone approaches the idea of stopping smoking in their own unique way and for their own reasons. In a similar way, each individual has a unique twist to their smoking habit. Some people only smoke socially; some only smoke in the evenings, some smoke 20 a day, some 50, and so on. Each person's expectation about how easy or how difficult it may be to stop smoking tends however to be on more similar lines. Most people look upon the final act of quitting smoking with about as much fondness as the prospect of having their leg amputated!

Thoughts tend to run along the lines of "how will I cope?" or "I'll put on 20 pounds in weight" or "I'm going to be really grumpy", etc, etc. Thinking like this definitely does not help matters. You are creating an expectation that it will be very difficult and extremely uncomfortable. You are creating an expectation of weight gain, bad temper and failure. The thing is, what you expect to happen, does indeed happen. Such is the power of your own mind. This is why you have to get your mind around stopping smoking to pave the way to success and long term freedom from the weed.

You can feel a bit hungry, you can feel pretty stressed. This can last up to three weeks if you go cold turkey. BUT if you get your mind around the subject of stopping smoking you do not need to suffer this discomfort; you do not need to be subjected to an inner battle of wills inside your psyche. You can use hypnosis to access the inner workings of your mind, to access your subconscious mind, the part where deep-rooted habits and beliefs are stored. Smoking is a habit, and its various patterns, associations and behaviors are wired into your subconscious mind. You more often have a cigarette in hand before you even think about it, than consciously think, "oh, I fancy a cigarette now".

With hypnosis you can learn to relax and change state and this is a great mental skill to acquire if you are worried about being a ratty so-and-so! With hypnosis you can learn to distract yourself from cravings and this too is a rather useful mental skill in the process of stopping smoking. Just imagine how much easier it will be to quit smoking if you no longer suffer from cravings...You can, with the help of hypnosis, effectively zap ANY cravings you might otherwise have had. Hypnosis, in short, can provide you with the inner steel to quit smoking as it guides you to think in a different way, both consciously and subconsciously.

Wouldn't it feel nice if you didn't have to avoid smokers or social occasions? This too, can be achieved with the correct use of hypnotic suggestion. If you thought that you would not be affected by other people who are still smoking and so could mix with them comfortably, would that make stopping smoking a little easier as well? This too, is easy to achieve...with the help of hypnosis.

Hypnosis is the real key as it allows you to get your mind around EVERYTHING you ever worried about or was afraid of. You don't have to put on weight and become a roly-poly person! In fact, the correct hypnosis suggestions will empower you to wonder why you ever smoked; why you ever smoked will be a complete mystery to you. Nothing else will ever control your life again, as you learn to use the hidden powers of your own mind, with the help of hypnosis.

I'm sorry if I sound like a broken record or a parrot. But the key really and truly is - you got it! - HYPNOSIS. The only proviso here is that you need to be guided with the RIGHT suggestions; you need to cover every base, every circumstance and every eventuality. And your mind needs to adjust in bite-sized chunks, which is why I recommend a four step approach.

The four steps to stopping smoking successfully with hypnosis are these:-

Step 1 - challenging and changing your present belief system and making sure that you look at stopping smoking from a different angle. You need to address your thoughts and beliefs so that they can be changed quickly and easily. You can then create an expectation that you will quit smoking easily without experiencing any negative effects at all.

Step 2 - When you are ready to stop smoking, you do it, there are then. Now it's time to be guided by hypnotic suggestions which turn your desire to stop into immediate action. Now you learn to think as a non-smoker, not as a smoker who is attempting to quit.

Step 3 - Reinforcement is the name of the game. Learning to enjoy being a non-smoker and appreciate the benefits is the key here. And you don't feel that you are out there on your own; you can listen to your hypnotic download every day and reinforce again and again how great you feel. It's also important to notice how you feel better physically and kick-start your body's ability to self-heal. Suggestions can be made to create new habits and expectations about lifestyle, eating, social events, and so on.

Step 4 - The final step is to future pace; to step into the future and imagine yourself as you want to be, to see yourself as a non-smoker forever. It's no use being a non-smoker now whilst at the same time having an image of you smoking in the future!

So these are the four steps to stop smoking easily with hypnosis. You don't even have to go and see a therapist, Stop smoking hypnosis downloads are easily available on the internet. You can easily stop smoking on your own terms, in the way that you want to, when you are ready.
Roseanna Leaton, specialist in stop smoking hypnosis downloads.
http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com

Ideas For How To Help Someone Quit Smoking

2009-08-26T12:00:00.001-07:00

There is much information available for people who want to quit smoking, but what if you are wondering how to help someone quit smoking? Many people are interested in giving their loved ones the support they need to kick the habit, but they really don’t know how. Hopefully, this article will answer many of those questions about how to help someone quit smoking for good.

What Kind Of Support Can I Give?

The first thing remember if you want to know how to help someone quit smoking is that you cannot make this decision for them. No one is going to be able to quit unless they really want to, and they certainly won’t quit if you are pressuring them. You need to wait until they are truly ready quit. At this time, they may approach you and inform you of their intentions. This is when they decide to quit for their own reasons and not because someone else wants them to. This will greatly increase their chances of success.

At this point you can begin to support them simply by praising them for making a decision to quit. You also need to remember that giving them unwanted advice is not how to help someone quit smoking. Wait until they ask for it so you do not seem pushy. Be patient with them, especially since you may not know what they are going through. One thing you could do is guide them to areas where they can find tips on how to quit smoking. This way you are helping them without actually telling them what to do. Keep in mind that they are going through enough without having to listen to you nagging them.

As time goes by, you can also help them by helping them occupy their time. Suggest activities that can help keep their mind off of their cravings. This is an important step in how to help someone quit smoking. Make yourself available to them at any time should they want to talk or work their way through the cravings. Try to help them avoid the situations and places that they would normally smoke in.

If your loved one does stumble while trying to quit, don’t come down on them like a ton of bricks. Many people will have moments of weakness while trying to quit. Be as positive as you can and let them know they can always get in touch with you if they feel like the temptation is too strong. read more

Pets may help people quit smoking

2009-08-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Not to pat ourselves on the back too hard, but it turns out the kind of information we provided in a January article about the effects of secondhand smoke on pets may save some human lives, too.

A study published by the American Veterinary Medical Association today found that pet owners who are informed about the burden their smoking poses for their pets are more likely to quit. The study, conducted by the Henry Ford Health System's Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, surveyed 3,293 adult pet owners.

Within that survey group, 21 percent currently smoked and 27 percent lived with a smoker.

Presented with the facts about secondhand smoke and pets, many of the pet owners said they were ready to change their habits:

• 28 percent of smokers said they would try to quit.
• 8.7 percent of smokers would ask other smokers in their house to quit.
• 16.4 percent of non-smokers who live with a smoker would ask their housemate to quit and 24.2 percent would ask them to only smoke outdoors.
• 40 percent of smokers said they wanted to receive information on quitting and the effects of secondhand smoke.

Maybe living with an animal has even more health benefits than read more

Benefits of Breaking the Smoking Habit Within 3 Days

2009-07-17T11:36:00.001-07:00

Anyway, here they are...

First 7 Minutes
Some benefits of breaking the smoking habit are instant! You don't believe me? Get this - just spend 20 minutes without taking a puff of your favorite cigarette brand, and your blood pressure will decrease. Along with it, your pulse rate as well as over all body temperature will drop to normal and safe levels.

First 7 Hours
Try stopping smoking for 7 hours and your body's carbon monoxide (a VERY poisonous gas!) content will drop down to insignificant levels. On the other hand, the beneficial oxygen levels will be restored to normal...something which is very crucial for better blood flow, proper organ and body functions, and that's just to name a few.

First 24 Hours
Are you beginning to get passionate about the idea of quitting smoking? Well, you'll love it even more when you realize that within 24 hours of stopping smoking, you'll reduce the risk of suffering from heart attack by a whopping 45%!

Now, for many smokers, especially those who held their love affairs with their favorite cigarette for years now, stopping smoking for 24 hours seem like a daunting task. However, with a health incentive as good as that, it's outright stupid not to quit!

First 48 Hours
I'm sure you'll agree that smokers have very low energy levels. Their heads always feel heavy, their movements are sluggish, and they easily get tired. However, within 48 hours or 2 days of quitting smoking, you'll start to feel more energetic!

Aside from that, your mood will change for the better...and you'll have a more optimistic view if things. Additionally, your stamina along with your muscle coordination will get better. Last but not the least, not even a trace of nicotine can be found in your body!

First 72 Hours
Within 3 days of quitting smoking, you'll have a better respiratory system. Your lungs will become recharged, while your bronchial tubes will be relaxed. Say goodbye to fatigue as you gain more energy that will make you more efficient throughout the day.

It won't be long before you're totally free from irregular blood circulation as well as other disorders that you sure don't want to have!

Are you prepared to quit smoking successfully? It is possible to reduce the stress and discomfort of quitting smoking visit http://breakingyoursmokinghabit.com/ to learn how.

Quit-Smoking Drugs Led to Suicide Attempts

2009-07-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

Two drugs used primarily by smokers who would like to quit the habit will be required by the US Food and Drug Administration to carry boxed warnings about health risks – specifically the onset of symptoms that are neuropsychiatric in nature – that have been associated with the drugs.

quit smokingThe FDA has received reports regarding the effects of the drugs varenicline (Chantix) and buproprion (Zyban, Wellbutrin and generics). The agency reportedly started receiving reports two years ago, which included the onset of symptoms such a depression, suicidal thoughts and tendencies, agitation, hostility and other such changes in behavior. Among varenicline users, almost a hundred ended up committing suicide, while more than 180 have attempted suicide. There weren’t as many among buproprion users, with 14 suicides and 17 attempted suicides throughout the drugs’ respective marketing histories.

The agency further recommended that clinicians should monitor patients who have been prescribed the drugs to help them quit smoking. There were cases that the symptoms were resolved with the mere cessation of treatment, although this does not happen all the time. Monitoring should not only occur while a patient is in the midst of treatment but even after stopping medication, until such times that the symptoms have been fully resolved. While such neuropsychiatric symptoms are also characteristic of nicotine withdrawal, these also occurred in patients who are still smoking while taking the drugs.

Aside from placing warning labels on their products, the manufacturers of varenicline and buproprion will also be required to conduct a clinical trial which will look into the appearance of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients who are taking the drugs. The trial should include patients who already have psychiatric disorders as a pre-existing condition before taking the drugs.

The drugs’ labels will also be updated to include, aside from the warning on neuropsychiatric risks, information about allergic and skin reactions as well as the risk of accidental injury when driving or operating machinery while taking the drugs.

Read more: http://hometestingblog.testcountry.com/?p=2902#ixzz0KW1hjySD&C

Make This Father's Day Special By Quitting Smoking

2009-06-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

The American Lung Association in New York is encouraging all New Yorkers who smoke, and dads in particular, to make this Father's Day all the more special by quitting smoking. Each year in New York state, more than 14,000 men die as a result of smoking and 1,600 kids go through the pain and anguish of losing their dads.

"While quitting smoking can be difficult, not quitting has tragic consequences," said Michael Seilback, Vice President for Public Policy and Communications. "The day that we honor dads and recognize the very special bond that exists between a father and child is an ideal time to make the commitment to finally quit smoking."

Seilback pointed out that those who decide to quit smoking can look forward to living richer, fuller and healthier lives free from the grip of tobacco and the myriad health risks that come with its use. What's more, fathers who quit aren't just helping to improve their own health, but the quality of life their children and other family members enjoy. Secondhand smoke contains more than 40 substances known to cause cancer. Exposure is dangerous and can prolong and worsen numerous medical conditions including bronchitis, asthma and sinus infections.

Despite the known health risks of smoking, tobacco use among men remains a serious problem. There are more than 25 million men in the U.S. who currently smoke, 1.5 million of them New Yorkers.

The best way for New Yorkers who smoke to celebrate this Father's Day is by quitting smoking. One easy way to begin the process is to pick up the phone and call the New York State Smokers' Quitline at 1-866-NYQUITS (1-866-697-8487).

Another helpful resource is the American Lung Association's free online smoking cessation program - Freedom from Smoking. The seven module program empowers smokers by providing them with the information they need to become smoke free and stay smoke free. The Freedom from Smoking website can be accessed at http://www.ffsonline.org/.

How to Quit Smoking Effectively. Is Smoking an Addiction?.

2009-06-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

How to Quit Smoking Effectively

Although every former smoker has their own unique story on how they quit smoking, there are some tried and true how to quit smoking methods that have worked well over the years. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you can always try out different methods and work your way onto telling your own how to quit smoking story.

*Try smoking fewer cigarettes than usual. For many smokers, holding out few hours without smoking can prove very difficult. Familiarize yourself with the sensation and understand how difficult it can be. I know what you are saying, "Why the practice run for the suffering". Some smokers get very panicky when they first experience a serious withdrawal symptom. It's much like dipping your toe in the pool before jumping in. You do not want to be discouraged to a point where you can't even imagine yourself ever quitting smoking.

*Skip the entire morning smoking session. Experience what happens when you don't jump start your day with your nicotine fix. This is different from just holding out few hours without smoking. You'll try to spend an entire morning without smoking a single cigarette. With enough patience on your part, by noon when you are about to finally light one up, you will notice a few things. First it's the ups and downs of the craving. The withdrawal symptom is not constant and there will be long periods, a whole chunk of minutes that go by when you don't really feel much craving. This was true for many former smokers I've interviewed and it was true for me as well. You have to try this in the morning because otherwise it's no different from the method above. I encourage you to try this because many former smokers will attest to the fact that on your quit day, you have to make sure you start the day clean without a smoke. By the way, when you give up smoking for good, you will inevitably experience these mornings.

*For some, postponing smoking half an hour to an hour every time craving hits works wonders. Again it's a similar method to the two above but it's very different in its approach. This method is used to strategically cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke in a day but in a very gradual manner. Reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day will undoubtedly be helpful in quitting smoking. The general rule of thumb is the less you smoke per day, the less severe withdrawal symptoms you will have. Remember, if you know you are not a particularly patient person. You do not want to try this method.

*Stop smoking aid products do work, you just have to work with them. There isn't a stop smoking product that's suitable for every smoker in the world. While a particular product may work better for Joe no.1, Jo no.2 might just do better with a different product. The recurring cost of using stop smoking products should be less than the cost of maintaining most smokers' addiction. That's not even counting the fact that once you quit you no longer need buy additional stop smoking products, but you will keep smoking as long as you are still an addict. You have to understand that stop smoking products are meant to aid you in combating nicotine addiction. They are not automatic fix it all products and they don't claim to be it. It's useless unless used as intended. So you might be wondering, "Since I do all the work, why would I even bother with these products". The answer to that it's simple. You can run miles without sneakers, but that doesn't mean you do it. You can run faster and safer if you just put on a sneaker, so we choose to run with our sneakers on. Stop smoking aids can make smoking cessation experience anywhere from easy to tolerable for many smokers. As withdrawal symptoms can last days to even weeks, you can make the quality of your life substantially better than going cold turkey.

*Convince a buddy to quit smoking with you, anyone in your life who smoke can participate. Having a quit partner can trigger either camaraderie or competitiveness and either one can be beneficial in quitting smoking. If you don't know anyone who smokes, make a wager with a friend on that you can quit. Tell everyone you know you are quitting, their support and the responsibility that comes with your announcement will help you keep your word and stay cigarette free.

*Don't set a quit day, rather quit on the day that cigarette taste particularly nasty. Every smoker undoubtedly has these days when cigarette taste awful. Of course following this advice alone most likely won't make you quit, but you could combine different strategies together. For example, you start by cutting down on the cigarettes you smoke. Tell everyone you know you are quitting and go grab a nicotine gum at your local pharmacy. Wait until "the day" comes, it should be easy enough. As former smoker I know smokers live through nasty cigarette tasting days at least a couple of times a month. Just use it as another arsenal to combat your nicotine dependency, it's as simple as that.

*Stop buying cigarettes by the carton or have spares at home. Force yourself to buy a new pack every time you run out of cigarettes making smoking very inconvenient for yourself. Smokers tend to smoke more than usual when they know they have stocked extra cigarettes through the roof.

*Ask your smoker friends to avoid smoking around you. If your friends object to the idea, try to stay away from them for about a month. It is imperative that you do not linger near cigarette smokes because for most people quitting smoking is hard enough as is.

*Avoid drinking at all cost. Many smokers can't resist to light one up with a cold one. You do not need to quit drinking forever, but try to avoid alcoholic beverages for two weeks. If you insist on drinking wine, beer, or whatever you are into, don't drink them at bars and drink less than you normally would.

*Throw away all your smoking gear. From lighters to ashtrays, also those matches you have in stock in case your lighter decides to give. Get rid of everything that has anything to do with aiding your smoking habit.

For most smokers, quitting smoking will not come down to a single action enabling them to quit. In general, it's the combination of strategies and their persistence that will end the addiction. Make the most out of all the information on how to quitting smoking and do not give up even if you fail on your first attempt. It does not matter how many attempts it takes, all it matters is that you quit smoking. Good luck. visit Giving Up Smoking

Is Smoking an Addiction?

Over the years I have noticed how everyone's beliefs can differ in relation to whether they think that smoking is an addiction or simply a habit. This core belief has a missive impact upon how easy or how difficult you find it to stop smoking. If you think that you are addicted to smoking then you will find it more difficult than if you thought it was just a habit. Your thoughts and beliefs shape your experiences about everything in life, not just stopping smoking.

Not only will believing in the addictiveness of smoking impact upon how easy you find it to stop smoking, it can also create a justification for remaining a smoker. It becomes easy to say to yourself "I'm addicted now so I can't stop smoking" and then not even try. Also, if you think that smoking is an addiction, it is easier to fool yourself into the belief that continuing to smoke is not your fault - that you cannot help yourself because you are the victim of an addiction. This thought pattern is anything but empowering!

To stop smoking easily you have to get your mind around this subject. It is important to ask yourself why you assume that smoking is an addiction. We know that innumerable chemicals are produced as you smoke even a single cigarette and this may lead one to believe that smoking must therefore be addictive. But we also know of many people who have decided to stop smoking and have done exactly that; they stopped smoking and didn't get withdrawal symptoms, not a single symptom. We know others who tried to stop and didn't manage it. We know people who got angry when they stopped or put on a lot of weight.

Everyone is different, and the different experiences will always reflect one's expectations. If you want to stop smoking easily, it's important to work upon your expectations and in this way you pave a pathway to success. One thing which is undeniable is that smoking is indeed a habit. Each individual has their own associations with smoking; some people only smoke socially, others never smoke socially. Some people don't smoke until after breakfast, others smoke before they even get out of bed. Some smoke when they are happy, others when they are sad.

Smoking is a habit which can be associated with feelings and emotions, places and times of the day, events and circumstances; smoking can be linked in your mind to anything and everything, and as a matter of habit, whenever that situation or circumstance pops up, out pops the cigarette, and you are smoking before you've even had time to think about it. It's as automatic as brushing your teeth or tying your shoe laces.

It can take time to train your brain to change a habit, no matter what that habit is. If you decided that from tomorrow you were always going to put your right shoe on before your left, or vice-versa, you would probably have to put a post-it note on your shoes to remind yourself that this is what you plan to do. Otherwise you would have your shoes on your feet before you had time to think about it! Habitual behaviors are ones which you just do, they just happen. You do not consciously think about doing them, they are part of a "sequence" and they are driven by your subconscious mind. Therefore to change a habit you need to somehow get into your subconscious mind to "unpick" that sequence.

It is for this very reason that hypnosis is such a successful method of stopping smoking. Hypnosis is a state of relaxation which is both normal and natural. You pass through hypnosis every night as you fall asleep. In hypnosis you have access to your subconscious mind, where these habitual beliefs and behaviors are stored. In hypnosis you can truly get your mind around your smoking habit and you can change your beliefs and expectations. With the help of hypnosis downloads, you can see smoking from a different angle, seeing it as purely a habit as opposed to an addiction, and train your mind to expect it to be easy to stop smoking.

If you expect it to be easy to stop smoking this is what you will experience. Hypnosis really does make it easy to stop smoking. By using hypnosis, you can learn to imagine yourself as you want to be, and this is very important. Whatever you imagine you create, and so it is vital that the pictures you see in your mind's eye reflect your new expectations of quitting easily. Hypnosis allows you to get your conscious and subconscious minds in alignment, so that both parts of your mind expect the same results. You therefore get away from those old feelings of knowing that you shouldn't smoke but at the same time wanting to smoke. With the use of hypnosis you will no longer be "in two minds" about stopping smoking. http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com

Popular Quit Smoking Resources

2009-06-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

Many people who try and stop smoking utilize some of the excellent quit smoking resources that are available. It is very hard to go it alone, most have tried and failed, that is when they realize that it is not as easy as they think. If you just try and give up half heartily, not fully understanding what you and your body are about to go through, then invariably this will lead to failure at the first hurdle.

There are so many different ways that can help you give up smoking. Some quit smoking resources are more effective than others, it really depends on the individual and what they respond to best.

Some people opt to have acupuncture to help them quit. This has been a popular method that has produced many successes in recent years. It is also very good for helping the side effects caused when smoking cessation starts. While it is a popular and proven method, what does put a lot of people off are the amount of sessions required to make this effective and the costs involved with using acupuncture therapy. Of course each person is different and some may require more sessions than others, but the costs soon mount up and it can be a time consuming treatment.

Hypnosis has been widely used also, and has produced mixed results with some people swearing by the treatment and others declaring it a complete waste of money. On average a one hour session is around $60, so it is another expensive treatment, especially if it is not effective for the individual. People's response to hypnosis varies considerably, which is why we see such a mixed bag of results. But even for those that it does work for initially, the long term results for using hypnosis as a quit smoking resource and not very good with many people relapsing again between 6 months to a year.

Going cold turkey refers to people who just stop smoking suddenly without having to ease themselves off it slowly by lowering their intake. It is literally a 'stop now' method but results can be very mixed again as a person really needs to prepare themselves properly in order for this to be a success.

The side effects experienced by anyone who stops by going cold turkey will usually be very strong as the sudden halt of nicotine into the system really gets the cravings working on overtime. Headaches, sweats, anxiety attacks, sadness and mild depression are all common side effects that need to be overcome to successfully beat the addiction.

Some of the best quit smoking resources are available online. Programs that have been developed by experts in the field have proven to be very effective, plus they can be downloaded instantly which means the patient can start the same day, and most are very affordable at a fraction of the cost of some of the therapies mentioned above. In this modern day and age the internet is able to provide resources and solutions for all kinds of problems, and smoking cessation is certainly one of the.

With proven track records and thousands of success stories it is not only a sensible move to use an online program to help quit smoking, but also a recommended one. One of the most powerful online programs that has a proven method is called the Quit Smoking Today program.

This program has helped thousands of people quit smoking, but this is not just a quick fix, the results are long lasting and the methods used will not have you craving for a cigarette again after a few months.

To read a few helpful tips on how to give up smoking, and to take a look at the Quit Smoking Today program please visit my website through the link below.

==> http://online-niche-store.com/?p=79

How to Easily Stop Cigarette Cravings Naturally and Safely

2009-05-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

Everyday, thousands of people make the decision to quit smoking. But unfortunately, most of them can't stop cigarette cravings and end up going right back to the habit. Of course there are some smokers who manage to stub out their last cigarette and never smoke again. But most of us are not that lucky. The large majority of smokers discover that giving up the habit is a tough job that requires determination and will power.

But what if I told that there was an easy technique to stop cigarette cravings; a system that allows you to quit easily so that you don't even want a cigarette. Would you be interested? Of course you would, you are not stupid!

This system does not include expensive prescription drugs nor does it require you to visit your doctor. It is completely natural and involves a secret combination of vitamins and supplements that stop cigarette cravings right away. In addition, this system has the added benefit of cleaning the accumulated tar, chemicals, and toxins out of your lungs.

As the vitamins and supplements begin to work and clean your lungs, your cravings stop almost immediately. Like magic you won't even want to smoke. Imagine how great it would be to get up in the morning and not have that hacking smokers cough. No more disgusting phlegm balls.

Using this system, you won't even have the urge to smoke. If you smoke heavily, you can easily spend 300 dollars a month on your nicotine habit. Imagine how nice it would be to have extra money in your pocket. You can use that extra money to buy a nice new car, or go on that great vacation you've always wanted.

So now that you know that you can stop smoking easily, what are you waiting for? Download my easy system to Stop Cigarette Cravings!

Stop Smoking Hypnotherapy

2009-04-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Stop Smoking Hypnotherapy and How it Works

Hypnotherapy is to Stop-Smoking as Door is to Frame, as Chair is to Table. Mention hypnotherapy to most people, and they will think of smoking cessation. Mention giving up smoking naturally to most people, and they will think of hypnotherapy.

But what is hypnotherapy?

Well, hypnotherapy is hypnosis plus therapy.

In the hypnosis part, you go into a state of relaxation that varies from a light relaxation to a deeper half-asleep half-awake state of trance. At the end, you awaken fully, feeling relaxed and refreshed.

In the therapy part, various techniques are used to achieve the desired outcome. These days techniques like NLP and EFT are so advanced and so effective, they are often used by hypnotherapists without the hypnosis part!

NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming. It utilises the relationship between how we think, how we communicate, and our feelings and behaviour.

NLP works a bit like this: You may be starting with thinking your glass is half-empty and anesthetising your sense of emptyness with cigarettes. Then you may be coming out of the hypnotherapist's delighted that your glass is half-full and so fulfilled, the desire to smoke has gone.

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique. It uses the principle that the cause of all negative emotions (and therefore behaviour) is a disruption in the body's energy system.

EFT works a bit like this: You may be starting with feeling a bit bad without a cigarette, due to various negative emotions stored in your body as "energy". Then you may be coming out of the hypnotherapist's feeling so peaceful and calm, the desire to smoke has gone.

Most people have the impression that stop smoking hypnotherapy consists of going into the hypnotherapist's, lying down, becoming unconscious, and walking out a totally different person. Popular television and theatre programs, especially in the past, do nothing to dispel this view. Subjects are chosen for the show that look unconscious when they are hypnotised, giving the popular illusion of a state of deep sleep. Also highly suggestible subjects are chosen. Most modern techniques are so good, there is no need for this suggestibility. Certainly only a very small percentage of hypnosis subjects go into a sleep-like trance, maybe 4%!

So when you go to your hypnotherapist to give up smoking, you may be pleasantly surprised to remain awake and become free from cravings. If you have already made an appointment, it is good to print out this article and read it before you attend to allay any fears should this be your first time. And most of all, congratulate yourself for making the decision to be free!

A virus caught along with 5 other students at university at the end of 1986, plus medical negligence, meant that I got smokers lung at a relatively young age. In desperation for help with my symptoms and quality of life, I turned to complementary therapy, and I have outlived one doctor's prognosis by over 12 years now.

I am now a complementary therapist, author and trainer specializing in techniques referred to as "energy psychology". Want to use this article? You can, as long as you credit me with it and invite your readers to get my FREE book "7 Real Truths of Energy Psychology" at http://www.newagetherapies.com

You Quit Smoking How Many Times?

2009-04-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

How many attempts do you really need to quit smoking for good? Most people are curious and want to know exactly how many times it takes to really quit. They believe that getting a strong grasp of the number of tries is important to them. Some people say what this information can do for you might just confuse you rather than give you strength. Knowing the number of tries might just give you a boost in confidence as your quit date approaches. Remember, this is the date you need to quit smoking. Knowing the amount of times it might take you to quit smoking will help you not feel like a failure if it takes you more than one try. This information is extremely important to you simply because many people feel like a failure if they cannot quit on their first try.

When looking at the majority of people, and in all honesty to them, it usually takes at least two attempts to successfully quit. Most people would love to quit after the first attempt but it is usually takes two attempts at a minimum. Sometimes it may take three or more. You may wonder why it may take two or more attempts. Quite frankly, most people have the attitude and belief that quitting smoking is very simple. Many people are caught off guard when they find it harder to quit than they thought. It is not easy to quit.

You have an addiction to nicotine that will not be easily broken. Most often it is not something that can be accomplished in a single attempt. You will find that your chances of being successful are much lower if you try to quit on your own if you don't get some sort of help. Making a plan for quitting is essential, no matter how many attempts you make trying to quit.

So, being aware of how difficult it really it is to quit smoking could be very significant to you. You will be in a much better position to develop your plan and quit if you are aware of the challenges you face in the beginning and not the end. Knowing your challenges when developing your plan will be helpful particularly because you know the reasons you smoke cigarettes in the first place. If you stress out and smoke to cut out the stress you can make your plan to quit accordingly.

If you should attempt to quit smoking without a plan, you might just find that you are not able to quit in a single try. This will increase the number of attempts you will have to make to quit. It is not impossible for you to make a plan; it just means that you will have to identify the challenges that you may encounter and ways to work through them. When you develop your plan you can decide what to do when a temptation approaches or with any other potential problems. This will definitely help you succeed.

So, now you know. Deciding to quit on a whim will, without a doubt, decrease your chances of success simply because you will encounter many unrecognized problems and not know how to work through them. Take time to create and organize your plan, it means your success or failure. Taking your time with the details means that you will ultimately be successful. Your confidence will grow day by day rather than having a feeling that you will not be successful. This will help you elimate many problems simply because their elimination is extremely important for your success. You can quit smoking now--with a little wise planning.

Find out how to quit smoking on your first attempt This is a program developed by Simply Quit - Smoking that will work for you. Give it a try today.

How to Give Up Smoking the Easy Way - How to Give Up Smoking Now

2009-03-30T11:06:00.000-07:00

You will not need any nicotine replacement therapy
* No aversion therapy is required such as chain smoking
* You will not crave cigarettes anymore!
* You will not use any drugs or pills to assist you and put your health at risk
* You will not have to read any books on how to stop smoking

Any action that leads towards quitting the consumption of a smoked substance, usually tobacco, is crucial in learning how to give up smoking. Smoking cessation also applies to learning how to give up smoking cannabis as well. How to give up smoking is one of the most popular topics in contemporary health. Discovering the best way for you might take a bit of time and research. For many people, it can take 6-8 attempts to learn how to quit smoking before success is achieved.

"Cold turkey" is one way to quit. This means to just stop at some point. A person doing this can go through many withdrawal symptoms. The main symptom is usually anxiety, though there are many others. These symptoms, knowing they will come, makes it more difficult to learn how to give up smoking.

There are many smoking cessation products and methods that are available. Some of the available products are known as nicotine replacement therapy. These products are sold as gums, sprays, lozenges and other forms that all contain nicotine to replace what you don't get from the cigarette itself. These products have nicotine in them to slowly help with the nicotine withdrawal and make it easier to learn how to give up smoking.

You can also obtain smoking cessation drugs from your doctor by prescription. The most popular drugs, in pill form, are Zyban, Chantix or Champix, and Valium. Zyban and Champix help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and help the smoker learn how to give up smoking more easily . For seven to ten days after you begin the treatment you can continue to smoke. After a 7 to 12-week treatment plan, you could be smoke-free.

Being addicted to smoking often is related to your lifestyle making it harder to quit even if you already think you know how to give up smoking. There are other ways to quit smoking, which are injections, hypnosis, acupuncture, aand support aand counseling. Three to five percent of successful attempts used willpower alone to quit. Not many people are successful after their first try in learning how to give up smoking. Giving up smoking is very challenging. Some people need 8-12 tries, but it doesn't have to be that way. Each attempt is a learning experience that moves them closer to their goal: permanent freedom from smoking!

Another effect of learning how to give up smoking is that after three days, it is easier to breathe and your body begins to heal itself.

Stacey Shaw is a fitness consultant and trainer in the Austin, Texas area. Once a smoker herself, learn about the system that Stacey recommends to her clients who need help in learning how to give up smoking.
How to Give up Smoking Now

Harmful Smoking Effects and Your Smoking Habit

2009-03-23T11:49:00.001-07:00

Smoking is dangerous; plain and simple. If you are the smoker it is dangerous to you in many ways. And, non-smokers, did you know that you are in danger from second hand smoke yourself. Second hand smoke seems so harmless, yet in some ways it can be even more lethal than putting the cancer stick up to your very own mouth!

Read on if you want to find out about some of the most harmful smoking effects associated with the habit of cigarette smoking.

1) Second hand smoke. Did you know that the terrible effects of smoke can enter through the skin! This alone should make a smoker think twice about smoking around people suffering from asthma, heart disease, and allergies.

2) Smoking robs you of your youthful appearance; it can cause permanent damage to our skin after a very short period of time.

3) It can cause the onset of gingivitis, an inflammation and infection of the gums surrounding the teeth. And of course, we all know it causes the teeth to become yellow.

4) It can cause a thinning of bones, also known as osteoporosis.

5) It can cause many heart and lung diseases that, of course, cause one to age prematurely.

6) When you begin smoking, it is highly likely that you will develop an addiction to nicotine.

7) Women who smoke have a higher incidence of infertility.

8) Women who smoke during pregnancy, greatly increase their odds of miscarriage.

9) Some of the ingredients in cigarettes are pure poison: ammonia, benzene, DDT, butane gas, carbon monoxide, and arsenic.

This is just a small sampling of the harmful smoking effects I identified during my research. Frankly, the list is enough to keep me on the wagon!

If you have been trying to quit smoking with no luck, despite knowing all of the dangers perhaps you need a surefire method that will take you from smoker to former smoker in one day. How would you like to banish your smoking habit today? Harmful smoking effects are robbing you of years of your life and possibly hurting your loved ones as well. Click Here to banish your smoking habit once and for all. Learn how I did it in one day!..

Smoking and Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease (COPD)

2009-03-20T10:51:00.001-07:00

My friend Susan (not her real name) called me yesterday to tell me she's just been diagnosed with COPD. She feels terrified because she is a single parent with a young son and knows that COPD can lead to death. The reason she was diagnosed is because she caught a cold from me. I had a sore throat for about 3 days, along with painful bronchial tubes and a feeling of weakness. Susan caught this cold from me, but it hit her harder than it hit me because she smokes. When she went to the doctor for what she thought was bronchitis, the doctor questioned her about her cough. He started by asking her if she started her mornings trying to clear the phlegm out of her lungs. She agreed that this was how she started her day. He asked her if this had been going on for a year or more. When she said she wasn't going to answer that he said he would take that as a "yes" and told her she had COPD. She told me she's been coughing up mucous in the morning for at least two years. She has been a smoker for about 20 years.

I have another friend with COPD. Her name is Penny (also not her real name). When she was diagnosed with COPD about 12 years ago, she was told in no uncertain terms that she needed to quit smoking. Although she told her doctor that she had quit, but she continued to smoke. Within 3 years of her initial diagnosis, she received her first prednisone prescription to help rid her lungs of the mucous associated with having bronchitis. Prednisone, a steroid, helps loosen the mucous so that you can cough it up. Her doctor warned her at that time (about 8 years ago) that prednisone use came with risks and she would be able to use it three or four times total before side effects came into play that would force her to never use it again. She continued to smoke, continued to get lung infections and continued to have prednisone prescribed. Five years later (three years ago) her COPD had progressed to the point that she had to quit working and go on disability. She tires easily and is always short of breath. When Penny was sick with the cold that I caught from her and Susan caught from me, it hit her harder than ever. She couldn't stop coughing, but the coughing provided her with no relief. All that happened was that her entire upper body got sore from the constant coughing. She couldn't rid her lungs of mucous and began to cough up blood. She was prescribed prednisone again. Instead of using it the three or four times total as she had been told eight years earlier, she used it one to three times per year for eight years before the side effects hit her. The side effect for Penny is alarmingly high blood pressure. I don't know if she's finally been scared into quitting smoking - we don't discuss it - but I sure hope she has. I hope Susan quits smoking before her COPD progresses to the point of Penny's.

For those of you who don't know what COPD is, Wikipedia defines it this way: "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed. This leads to a limitation of the flow of air to and from the lungs causing shortness of breath. In contrast to asthma, the limitation of airflow is poorly reversible and usually gets progressively worse over time. COPD is caused by noxious particles or gases, most commonly from smoking, which trigger an abnormal inflammatory response in the lung. The inflammatory response in the larger airways is known as chronic bronchitis, which is diagnosed clinically when people regularly cough up sputum. In the alveoli, the inflammatory response causes destruction of the tissues of the lung, a process known as emphysema. The natural course of COPD is characterized by occasional sudden worsenings of symptoms called acute exacerbations, most of which are caused by infections or air pollution."

In simple English, COPD is a combination of asthma, bronchitis and emphysema that are with the sufferer constantly, 24/7. Once you have it, it's there for life and it gets worse with time. By stopping smoking, you can dramatically slow the worsening of this disease. With COPD, lungs lose their elasticity and ability to absorb oxygen from the air you breathe in and also lose the ability to get rid of the carbon dioxide left behind after the oxygen is absorbed. Mucous production is increased but because your breathing process is impaired, you can't get rid of the mucous either. COPD is one of the major causes of death worldwide, and it can cause increased respiratory infections, high blood pressure and heart problems as well as lung cancer. COPD makes you tire easily and short of breath. It means you will eventually need to use a lot of expensive puffers (prescription) to keep your airways clear enough to breathe half decently. It means that on a cold and windy day, even if you keep your nose and mouth covered, you wind up paying the price for having gone out at all. That cold wind affects your ability to catch your breath and makes your lungs hurt for a day or more. It can make you susceptible to catching a cold that will quickly progress into bronchitis, pneumonia or asthma. It means that catching a simple cold is not simple. A simple cold will always work its way into your lungs, and you will without a shadow of a doubt develop bronchitis, bronchial asthma or some form of pneumonia that will force you to seek emergency medical help.

I started smoking when I was 11 and smoked for about 30 years before quitting for the last time. I remember that when I started smoking, I was bullied into it. The popular kids (I wasn't one of them) knew I had access to cigarettes because my parents smoked, so they told me if I didn't start smoking with them, they would tell my parents that I did, and since there were more of them than me, they assured me my parents would believe them rather than me. I bought into it because we're really not too swift at age 11. I'm pretty sure nothing has changed where starting to smoke is concerned. When we begin to smoke as adolescents, it's usually in an attempt to be accepted and to fit in. I thought smoking made me look pretty cool and grown up. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Too bad I set my standards so low!

What prompted me to finally quit smoking? Every year, I got four or five colds. From the time my cold symptoms started, it would take less than 24 hours for me to develop full-blown asthma, bronchial asthma or bronchial pneumonia. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that one day my smoking would kill me. I determined and promised myself that the next time I developed cold symptoms, I would quit. The evening of March 18, 1995, I had a sore throat. The following day, I had to go to the doctor for antibiotics as I had already developed bronchitis. That was the day I quit forever. I chose life and health over illness or death and I don't regret it. Is quitting smoking easy? No. You're an addict as certainly as an alcoholic is, and you have to know that there is no way you can ever control smoking. It will always control you. The first few days weren't the worst. It was after a few weeks that it was tough. I quit cold turkey and it worked for me. However, there are many products on the market that can help you stop smoking, and a medical doctor also has products he or she can make available to you to make quitting easier.

We all seem to be aware that we would be much better off health-wise and financially if we didn't smoke, yet when we are addicted to smoking, we would almost rather give up food than cigarettes. We wall ourselves off to the reality that we are spending a great deal of money to harm ourselves. Even highly intelligent and intellectual people fall victim to that lie. We are told time and time again the risks associated with smoking, but it's like so many other things in life where we tell ourselves it will never happen to us.

I will never smoke again. I love the fact that I no longer stink. I love the freedom of being able to go wherever I choose and for how long I choose without being consumed by the need to smoke. I used to plan my outings with how often I could sneak away to smoke. Having two friends with COPD makes me so thankful that I have been spared their diagnosis. My lungs are completely healthy again. Anyone who is a smoker and reading this, I can only tell you what you already know: quit smoking. COPD (or cancer or emphysema, etc.) can happen to anyone, including you. Quit today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Wiebe

The Effects of Smoking on Your Health and How You Can Quit

2009-03-17T11:01:00.000-07:00

Whether you smoke five cigarettes a day or a pack a day, it still has a serious effect on your health. In the United States, every 1 out of 5 deaths are caused by smoking and 1 of 2 smokers will die from their habit. I simply don't get what the point of smoking is. I know that people pick up the habit many different ways and I understand that, but I think it is time to quit that filthy habit and save your life.

My views on life might be different from you who is reading this article, but if I dead at age 35 or 40, I would not be happy. There are so many things to go and see in the world, so many things to do. This is why I write this article, not only to make you aware, but to try to convince you to stop.

So what happens when you take a drag on your cigarette?

When you take you first drag on your cigarette, your body already starts to take in the chemicals. One cigarette has over 4000 chemicals in it, and at least 400 of them are poisonous, one of the main ones being tar. "TAR? Like the black stuff they put on roads?" Yes, tar. When the smoke enters your lungs, it begins to coat both lungs with tar. A smoker who smokes 20 cigarettes a day is said to breathe in a full cup of tar in a year. If you were a 20-a-day smoker, would you be willing to digest a cup of tar? Oh and by the way I am going to charge you about a year full of cigarettes for that cup of tar.

Some other chemicals found in cigarettes are:
- carbon monoxide - a highly toxic gas
- hydrogen cyanide - a very poisonous and unstable chemical
- heavy metals - metals that are found in your car, appliances, etc

The next most damaged organ in the body is your heart. When nicotine is introduced to the body, one of the first things it does it constrict the blood vessels and this leads to higher blood pressure. The nicotine also raises your heart rate. These two things put a huge stress on your heart which can lead to many different heart diseases and problems.

Some diseases commonly found in smokers are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema for the lungs. And as for the lungs, coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke are common among smokers.

The risk of death by any of these diseases is very high when you are a smoker. This is why I encourage you to quit, I already have you reading this article so you must be interested in quitting, so make today your day.

How Can I Quit?

There are many things that you might be wondering about where to start. The best way is to stop right away. Don't say you will finish your pack of smokes and then quit. Start RIGHT now because I know you can do this and so do you.

If you need more tips on how to quit smoking and what you should do to start, I have an Ebook that I am selling and I think it would interest you. The book includes:
- Setting a date to quit
- Getting support from friends and family
- How to quit cold turkey
- What to do when you're around people who still smoke
- How to react if you relapse
- Places to find support
- And MUCH more

So please for your sake, make today your day to quit. Start right now by throwing out the rest of your pack. I know that you can beat this habit, and so do you. If you have any questions, or this article has inspired you to quit, please let me know because I would like to know if this article inspired you at all.

I wish you the best of luck.

James Walker
http://www.a-quit-smoking-plan.com

Nicotine - A Modest High?

2009-03-15T11:01:00.001-07:00

It's said that cigarettes are more addicting than heroin - ask any smoker and he or she will probably agree without hesitation. If you're a smoker, then you know that trying to quit smoking is tough. Nicotine (along with some other properties designed in to the cigarette) is so addicting because it performs so well in each of the three areas that determine the addictive potential of a substance. Those areas are:

The ability to trigger a high
How fast that high hits you
The level of pain you feel when you try to quit

Nicotine's relatively low score on the first measure is totally overwhelmed by its off-the-chart score on the other two. This is one of many reasons why it's so difficult to stop smoking. This article explores nicotine's performance in the first measure.

A modest high: Nicotine is very similar to a naturally occurring neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Nicotine has the ability to bind to and "unlock" the same receptors in your brain that acetylcholine opens. And this releases another neurotransmitter called dopamine, which controls the feelings of motivation and reward. Dopamine pushes you into action and then provides a jolt of pleasure that rewards that action. Sex, eating food, drinking water all trigger the release of dopamine. Unfortunately, this usually isn't enough so people turn to nicotine (or painkillers, alcohol, gambling, etc.) for stronger and faster gratification - and so begins the addiction.

Because the pleasure that dopamine triggers is generally the same no matter what stimulated it, we don't really know why some people are "seduced" more easily than others or why some get hooked on cigarettes and others on gambling or alcohol - the brain makes no distinctions. Brain scans have revealed that the parts of the brain that "light up" when you take a hit of nicotine or crystal meth are the same ones that are triggered by hitting the jackpot at the casino.

Visit my blog here to learn more about why you should quit smoking and how you can do it.

Define Nicotine Addiction - Facts on Nicotine and Addiction

2009-03-05T14:17:00.000-08:00

Nicotine is a very dangerous dependence producing drug. It provides the reinforcement for cigarette smoking. The dependence produced by nicotine is extremely durable as evidenced by the difficulty to quit smoking. According to American Psychiatric Association, only 5% of the smokers are successful in unaided attempts to quit.

Nicotine is absorbed readily through the skin, mucous membranes, and lungs. The pulmonary route produces discernible CNS effects in as little as 7 seconds. Thus each puff produces some discrete reinforcement. With 10 puffs per cigarette, the one-pack-per-day smoker reinforces the habit 200 times daily.

Nicotine demonstrates both depressant and stimulant actions. The smoker will feel alert and muscle relaxation. Nicotine activates the nucleus accumbens reward system in the brain. Release of endogenous opioids and glucocorticoids is also influenced by nicotine.

When the blood concentration of nicotine reduces, dependent smokers develop withdrawal symptoms. They tempt to smoke. Low nicotine level sometimes have a disrupting effect over sleep, therefore some smokers even awaken in between sleep to have a cigarette. Commonly seen symptoms of nicotine dependence include anxiety, irritability, difficulty in concentrating, craving for tobacco, drowsiness, restlessness and stomach upset.

Depressed mood (dysthymic disorder, affective disorder) is associated with nicotine dependence. Depression increases significantly during smoking withdrawal, and this is an important reason for relapse.

Nicotine replacement therapy helps to overcome nicotine withdrawal symptom.

People addicted to gradually develops other health problems. Their heart, lungs and blood vessels are affected. Most common complication of nicotine addiction is lung cancer. Other complications include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, esophageal cancer, oral cancer, throat cancer and infertility.

For the facts on curing nicotine addictions, and the Natural Prescription Report, click here: quit smoking natural or chewing to visit. It's a popular Free site, and the authority in natural medicine.

http://TheNaturalPrescriptions.com

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10 Ways to Quit Smoking With Ease

2009-03-05T14:12:00.001-08:00

Once a person develops the habit of smoking, it's often very difficult to quit. Here are 10 Ways to Quit Smoking that I believe will help you focus your attention on a more healthy 'life after cigarettes'.

One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is that you try to identify what causes you to want a cigarette in the first place. Take notes on your habits for a few days. The more aware you are of your other habits, the easier it will be to pinpoint your smoking 'trigger' (what tips the scale and makes you think you need a cigarette).

Some of these ways of smoking will be easy; others will require your constant focus and attention. I wish you the best of luck and sincerely hope one of these methods helps you banish your smoking habit forever.

1. Make a commitment (a promise) to yourself that you are going to quit. Don't make the promise complicated; just plan to quit and keep your promise to yourself.

2. Write down all of the reasons you would like to quit on a piece of paper; keep it handy. Don't forget that it's an expensive, health threatening and mostly socially unacceptable pastime. On the flip side of the paper write out all of the benefits you'll experience once you quit -such as easier breathing, clean smelling clothing and hair, and the relief your family will feel once you quit. Just the exercise of writing these reasons to quit and the expected benefits should make you feel empowered to quit.

3. Clean up your environment and rearrange your furniture at home and at home. As you already know, we are creatures of habit. If you are accustomed to sitting in your favorite chair at night to watch TV, and you leave an ashtray out, it could trigger a craving. Remove all potential cigarette reminders and all tobacco products from your home and office.

4. Sign up for regular exercise classes. When you start to get into shape, a very magical thing happens to the way you treat your body. Often times just beginning a regular exercise regimen will cause you to watch what you eat, get more sleep, and take better care of yourself overall. Consider taking small walks throughout the day, if you used to use smoking as your break time activity.

5. Make a conscious effort to avoid people and places that enable you to smoke easily. Nobody should subject themselves to needless temptation. These people and places should be relatively easy to identify.

6. If you are a nervous eater, plan the healthy snacks you will consume before you embark on your cigarette quitting journey. Many people smoke with the excuse that they believe it keeps them thin. If you are suddenly afraid you will over eat, you may be tempted to light up instead. I live in a dry climate and was used to drinking water, so water really helped me to quit.

7. Don't sabotage your success by talking yourself into a cigarette. Sometimes when we are trying to make a major change in our habits, we can easily slip into the habit of justifying why we should break our new routine. Don't tell yourself you need a cigarette because you had a really rough day. Take a walk instead. Call a friend. Do anything but break your new routine.

8. Let everyone know you are quitting. It will bolster your determination to meet your goal of stopping smoking. It's quite possible your friends and family will be a source of support as you avoid temptation.

9. Be sure to set milestones for yourself and treat yourself. At one week, schedule a lunch out with a friend or family member and announce your success. At one month, plan a special event. Gents you could play a round of golf at your favorite course and ladies you could treat yourself to some spa time. Whatever you decide to do, congratulate yourself and keep treating yourself as you achieve each new milestone.

10. Quitting smoking is a mental game above all. Be sure you read literature about empowering yourself to make this change. You can surf the internet for free information, or you can purchase a self help program that will help you quit in a structured way.

These 10 ways to quit smoking are all important aspects to achieving your goal. Try to use several, if not all of them, for the best chance of success in quitting.

Learn more about how to stay focused and virtually guarantee your stop smoking success by visiting the following link: http://www.squidoo.com/Cigarette-Smoking-Pros-and-Cons

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Hypnosis to Stop Smoking - How to Quit Smoking the Easy Way

2009-01-26T15:44:00.001-08:00

How Does Stop Smoking Hypnosis Work?

Stop Smoking Hypnosis involves the process of providing suggestions to your subconscious mind by a trained hypo-therapist. Every smoker has their own personal psychological trigger to bring positive effect about smoking, such the smell, the smoke, driving a car, being under stress, or while watching a TV. Hypnotherapy helps you to be rid of these craving and built up a stronger and improved smoke free personality. These treatments also provide a very easy home program through CDs or through other audio aids. The effect and the result of this treatment vary from person to person. It entirely depends upon the susceptibility being hypnotise. It is observed by many users that the treatment allow them to gradually move away from smoking with out leaving behind any long lasting cravings or symptoms.

What Are The Advantages of Stop Smoking Hypnosis

This treatment harbors many advantages that are not provided by other products or treatments in the market such as nicotine patches or gums. Such as no side affects, effective cure and a long lasting feeling of self improving. Whereas the other products all leave behind one side effects or the other.
To learn more about how to use hypnosis to stop smoking just click here.

Why is it Hard to Quit Smoking?

2009-01-26T15:42:00.000-08:00

Tagged: quit smoking,stop urge to smoke,hooked on nicotine
You really want to quit. Tried several times! Given in because the urge to light up overpowered the good intentions?

Don't worry - this is "normal".

Like most smokers you believe you are hooked to nicotine! But that's a myth!! If it was true, then the nicotine replacement therapy should work. But it does not. It just cost you a lot of money.

Nicotine acts as a light anesthesia on the taste and smell senses. It softens the foul taste of smoke. But the urge, the wanting to light up, is mainly caused by a change in blood sugar balance. There are of course often, in addition to this, also different psychological prompts for lighting up. But for now we will focus on the physical situation - the blood sugar imbalance.

As soon as lowered blood sugar level is sensed, the body pushes you to consume something, something that can calm you. Neutralize the urge. Anything sugar laden will do. But getting the relief in a natural way takes some time as sugar has to be absorbed via digestion.

Now here is a surprise! Among almost 100 different substances in tobacco it contains also sugar!

Well, here you have it: Urge - Light-up - Smoke - Relief ! Smoking becomes a conditioned reflex!!

Lighting up can give you immediate relief, because when inhaling smoke, many of the substances are directly passing into the blood system. The slight add of sugar plus the soothing effect of the nicotine are enough to disarm the urge for a while and the smoker feels a certain calm.

How can I change this behavior? You could ask. Well, the solution is to keep your blood sugar balance within certain limits, so strong urges don't get a chance to offset your calm. This of course is done by feeding yourself on something with a sugar value sufficiently enough to keep that blood sugar balance.

Here planning and guidance is important for success.

The essence of this information is of course that you now understand that blood sugar imbalance is the trigger of urges to consume something. And to avoid these urges you just have to feed yourself more often, i.e. less time between servings.

In this article I have indicated why it's so difficult to quit smoking and that being hooked on nicotine is a myth.

And I have mentioned how formation of urges can be avoided by keeping the amplitudes in the blood sugar variations small or hardly noticeable.

These ideas are used in a program described on my blog. http://quitpainfree.blogspot.com/

Omell (requested pseudonym) Bio: The author of this article is retired, former fighter pilot and airline captain, now commenting on health and cure issues recommended by the alternative medicine.

Natural Ways to Quit Smoking - A Smoking Cessation Quiz

2009-01-26T15:40:00.000-08:00

True or False: Natural Supplements for Quitting Smoking Contain Nicotine

Answer: False

While there are products out there that contain nicotine and claim to help you quit, the natural supplements available use herbs and plant-based supplements to help you quit smoking with no drugs or harmful poisons. Nicotine replacement therapies such as gums or lozenges are made with chemicals and drugs. Although they may be effective for some people, I found much more success with the nicotine-free herbal remedies.

True or False: Prescription drugs are an appropriate part of a natural smoking cessation plan

Answer: False

I have tried several prescription drugs and they either did not work as they said they would, or I experienced horrible side effects that were even worse than the typical cravings of nicotine withdrawal. When you quit smoking naturally you will feel your body returning to a normal healthful state gradually. Expensive medical treatments that I tried were harsh, felt very artificial, and did not help me with my cravings.

True or False: Cold Turkey is the best natural way to quit smoking

Answer: False
source StopSmokingHealth.info

Bid good bye to smoking with quit smoking aids

2009-01-15T16:11:00.000-08:00

If you have spared a thought about quitting smoking you have definitely kept the first step. There are lots of options to help you recover from smoking habit. Since in some societies smoking is not reckoned as a respectable habit it is better to avoid it. Quit smoking kids can be used to come over from the habit. However there is a range of aids available. From which you can choose the one that best suits you. Take a look at the article. This article covers.

* What are quit smoking aids?
* Quit smoking aids drugs
* Quit smoking aids gadgets
* Herbal quit smoking aids

There are many ways to quit smoking. A person can choose a smoking cessation program or even take up hypnosis to quit smoking. Quit smoking aids are another type of tool that helps to quit the habit of smoking. They are available in the form of drugs, gadgets and herbal products. Nowadays many companies are interested to sell these products due to the huge demand.

Quit Smoking Aids are different instruments that help you to quit the habit of smoking. Each aid is significant in its own way and you can choose your favorite one. For e.g. if you are comfortable with drugs you can choose them. If drugs are likely to cause any other medical complications you may choose gadgets or herbal products whichever is comfortable to you.

Quit Smoking Aids Drugs
Quit smoking aids drugs acts as a substitute to smoking. The drug contains nicotine or some nicotine replacement substance. You will therefore not face any difficulty to quit smoking because the nicotine requirements of your body are automatically taken care off. After you completely quit the habit of smoking suitable therapies will be recommended to remove the addiction of the drug.
source

How To Quit Smoking Cold Turkey – Help & Advice

2009-01-12T15:35:00.000-08:00

If you’re a smoker, deciding to quit is one of the best decisions you’re ever likely to make. While it’s far from easy, the ultimate benefits – to your health, lifestyle and hip-pocket – are more than worth it. There are numerous products on the market to help you quit smoking, and many people swear by quitting gradually. Quitting smoking cold turkey, however, is commonly acknowledged as the most effective method of kicking the habit once and for all.

Why Go Cold Turkey?

It’s a common belief that smoking is as much about environmental and behavioral cues as physiological addiction. Quitting abruptly makes it easier to break out of old behavior patterns you associate with smoking, as old reminders such as cigarette packets or ashtrays won’t be around. Additionally, while detoxifying your body from long-term nicotine use is unpleasant, it’s better and easier to get this process over and done with quickly rather than dragging it over days or weeks as you gradually cut down your nicotine intake.
source

What Happens to Your Body if You Stop Smoking Right Now

2009-01-12T15:30:00.000-08:00

On July 19th, 2006, I published a post called “What happens to Your Body if You Stop Smoking Right Now?” It received 1/4 million hits within 24 hours, and a handful of comments. Since that date it has gained a life of it’s own, as it accumulates millions of views as well as pages and pages of responses from readers. With people either detailing their own successes/failures to put down the puff, or offering advice for those of us wanting to do the same, the comments section has turned into an impromptu support group, and forum for, discussing nicotine addiction.

I’m now pleased to offer this 18″X24″ graphic representation of the post, and the conversation it inspired. It includes the time line, detailing the physiological changes your body starts to experience the moment you stop smoking. The graphic in the center is made up of some of (they wouldn’t all fit) the reader comments on the article. ~~I am selling a high-quality print.~~ I’m also offering a free, print-quality, zipped .pdf file for download for the next 30 days.
source

Chantix: Stop-smoking medication to help you quit

2009-01-10T14:49:00.000-08:00

Smokers who want to stop smoking may consider varenicline (Chantix). Find out if this stop-smoking drug is right for you.

Cigarette smokers who want to quit have several medications to choose from to help in their effort to stop smoking. Chantix works by blocking the effect that nicotine has on your brain. Chantix may make it easier for you to stop smoking. To be successful, you still need persistence and commitment to your goal.
How is Chantix different from other stop-smoking aids?

When you smoke, the nicotine from your cigarette causes receptors in your brain to release several chemicals, including dopamine, which cause many of the positive feelings you get when you smoke. When you quit smoking, the lower levels of these chemicals cause the sometimes miserable signs and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Signs and symptoms such as irritability, insomnia and difficulty concentrating begin four to six hours after your last cigarette and can last a month or more after you quit smoking.

Nicotine replacement products, including the patch, gum and lozenges, and bupropion (Zyban), can help you stop smoking, in part, by continuing to stimulate the release of low levels of dopamine and other chemicals in your brain. In this way, these stop-smoking medications decrease your craving for nicotine and reduce the signs and symptoms of withdrawal.
source

Smoking Cessation Aids

2009-01-10T14:46:00.000-08:00

Hands down...
The best smoking cessation aid on the planet is your own will and determination. If you aren't motivated and committed to kicking the habit, no quit aid can help you. If you are ready to quit, any of them have the potential to work beautifully.

That said, a variety of products are on the market today that are designed to help people quit smoking gradually. Choosing one that is right for you is essentially a matter of preference, barring any medical concerns you may have. It's always a good idea to check with your doctor about quit smoking options and discuss what might work best for you before making a decision.

A Word about Cold Turkey...
Cold turkey is the term used to describe quitting smoking with no help from quit aids of any sort. The advantage of this method is that the majority of nicotine is out of a person's body within a few days. The discomforts can be intense, but physical withdrawal is short.

A lot of people quit successfully by going cold turkey. But if this sounds too extreme for your liking, plenty of other options are available to help you withdraw from nicotine more comfortably.
source

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO QUIT SMOKING?

2009-01-02T11:04:00.001-08:00

If you really want to quit smoking for good you need to use the best way to quit smoking and avoid all others. This may appear controversial at first but let me explain.

One of the popular ways to treat addictions or maladies is to take a pill. Americans take millions of pills per day. If you are honest and look at the volume of medicinal treatments available including vitamins, I believe you'd agree that we are a pill taking people.

Part of the reason why we take so many pills is that are a variety of ailments that can be readily treated by something taken as a pill or capsule. The need to take things often takes on near cult like status. We don't feel better unless we take our "pills."

The placebo effect is a commonly know issue in the medical community. What happens is that a patient is given a pill. But the pill is a sugar pill. It has no active ingredient in it that could possibly induce some bodily function. It is a dummy pill so nothing should occur in the body of the patient. But alarmingly, the placebo pill produces significant results in the patients body to that similar to an active pill. Amazing I know.

What this really highlights is the role of the mind in everything we do. Henry Ford the great automotive industrialist from Detroit, Michigan once said, "If you think you can or think you can't, YOU are right".

You see, the mind is the best way to quit smoking known to man. What you've got to bring whether you take the quit smoking pill Chantix, Zyban or a nicotine replacement patch or whatever, you've got to bring your mind to a point that it will over- ride the bodies conditioned response of "I want a cigarette."

You can do this really quite easily and effectively using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT for short is a treatment that was designed and proven effective at getting people hooked on Cocaine, Heroin, and Alcohol to STOP their addictions. This is something that was once only under the domain of the psychologists. But is just now being made available through this special resource below.

If you'd like to quit smoking for good and not deal with the cravings, weight gain issues, anxiety and agitation that this can often bring you need to check out the review on CBT right here. This truly is the best way to quit smoking and avoid the problems accompanying that change.

Todd D. Lloyd is a consumers health advocate the publishes the best eLetter about quit smoking plans. You can view his blog about quit smoking products and products that really do work right now.

Ready to Quit Smoking? 6 Steps to Ensure Your Success

2009-01-02T11:02:00.000-08:00

Ready to Quit Smoking? Six Steps to Ensure Your Success.

The idea of giving up cigarettes can be daunting and even a bit frightening. It's a lifestyle change. Along with the physical addiction to nicotine there are several psychological barriers that you will need to overcome. Consider the following as you prepare to make changes for a smoke-free lifestyle.

First -Understand the addiction. Nicotine is the additive drug found in tobacco products. Be prepared for the temporary symptoms of nicotine withdrawal . There are several nicotine patches and gums available which ease the physical aspects. Seek advice from your physician to determine which option is best for you. The following are some withdrawal symptoms you may experience. The important thing to remember is that these are temporary. Hang in there and don't be discouraged. What you're experiencing is common and it will pass.

Cigarette cravings will be most prevalent the first week, lessening over time.
Hunger pangs, sometimes confused with cigarette cravings.
Irritability and anxiety, usually lasting 2 to 4 weeks.
Temporary feelings of depression.
Decreased concentration, lasting a couple weeks.
Insomnia (sleepless nights) may occur initially, lasting a few days.
Light-headedness from increased oxygen, lasting a day or two.
Coughing or dry throat may result to rid extra mucus caused by smoking.

Second- Be clear on why you want to quit. Your reason for giving up cigarettes is likely because there is something you wish to gain in your life. What benefits will you get from quitting? What makes it meaningful to you? Are you looking for increased energy as when you hike, go for a jog or climb a flight of stairs? Do you want to sing at the top of your lungs? Do you want freedom from a controlling habit? Are you seeking increased social acceptance? Do you want to experience more joy in your life? Are you seeking a healthier lifestyle? Whatever your motivation for quitting, be sure to keep it the forefront of your thinking. Visualize yourself living out your ideal lifestyle. Focus your thoughts on what you are gaining not what you are giving up. This is your life. Whatever difficulty you face as you transition to smoke-free lifestyle is worth it. Remember what you stand to gain.

Third- Be Aware of your smoking patterns. Smoking is a habit. Habit is formed by repetition. Over prolonged periods the repetition of smoking becomes associated with your daily routine. What everyday activities do you connect with smoking? Talking on the phone, finishing a meal, driving in the car, waking up, feelings of stress or relaxation? Identify the parts of your routine that trigger the urge to smoke. Once you know what they are, you can begin to think of ways to disrupt these triggers and break the habit. This often requires lifestyle changes. Begin with those triggers which are strongest. What other behavior can you introduce in those situations? Wash the dishes, brush your teeth, have a glass of water, call a friend, read your email, workout, go for a walk or a bike ride, eat healthier, avoid alcohol, take a warm bath? Modify your lifestyle to create an environment that facilitates changing the old patterns. Change is not only possible it is inevitable. Stick with it. It will pay off.

Fourth- Recognize "gremlins" and negative self-talk. The gremlins referred to here are actually our fear habits. We all have them. This is the part of us that hates change and will do anything to keep the status quo. We may do this as a way of protecting ourselves from the uncertainty that may result from the change. Or sometimes it comes in the form of self-sabotage because we don't think we are worthy of a better life. The form the gremlin takes is the negative self-talk that occurs when we begin to make changes. These are the thoughts you have which attempt to justify why you shouldn't even try to give up cigarettes. "I'm going to be more stressed." "I'll gain weight." "I'll be irritable." " I won't be able to enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee." "I'll never succeed." "Why even bother?" You know the rest. These are self-limiting beliefs which are false. Recognize this negative self talk exists and be prepared to disarm it. Often just by noticing it, we weaken its power over our behavior. So when the negative self-talk starts in, don't listen to it. You know better. It's possible to be successful. You can give up smoking. You deserve to achieve a better lifestyle. Don't lose sight of this!

Fifth- Create an environment of encouragement. Find a least one person who will be your champion and hold you accountable. You need support. Don't be ashamed to seek it out. Be proud of yourself for quitting. Share the hurdles and victories with someone who cares. Reward yourself for the effort and sacrifice you are making. Treat yourself to something special, using the money you are saving by not buying cigarettes. Ask family and friends to support your decision by not smoking around you. Encourage them to join you in quitting as well.

Sixth -Be prepared for the possibility of a relapse. There's a good chance that this is not the first time you've tried to quit smoking. If this is true for you, then you have already experienced a relapse. A relapse can occur at anytime; sometimes within the first day or six months or even years after quitting. This experience can leave you feeling like a failure and often drains motivation to continue the process of quitting. The key here is to remember that quitting is a process; and the relapse is a common part of the process for many people. Instead of focusing on the relapse, turn your attention on what can be learned from the experience. What can you do differently? What caused you to take that cigarette? Was it a familiar smoking pattern? What was the social situation? Who were you with? Was the any negative self-talk occurring at time? With this information you can focus on what to do differently in the future. Remember your reasons for quitting in the first place. These reasons are no less important now. Be good to yourself, avoid self pity and get rid of the cigarettes. Changing habits and routines can be a challenging process but not impossible. A relapse does not mean defeat. You can still be successful in achieving a smoke-free lifestyle. Keep at it!

As a practicing Life Coach, Carla Paton is committed to helping clients reach their personal, professional and spiritual goals, unleashing their full potential for growth and success in life and business. Visit http://www.lifejourneynow.com to learn more.

Six Effective Ways to Stop Smoking Cigarettes For Good - Without Relapse Or Withdrawal

2008-11-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

If you are like I was, thinking and feeling that there was no way to learn how to stop smoking cigarettes after it had been such a huge part of my life for 25 years, then I have some great news for you...I have quit smoking without spending a fortune on worthless pills, patches, or gum...in 1 week. And I am dead serious that you can do the exact same. I'm so excited to be sharing this information with you that will change your life and get you off those cigarettes. Here are 6, simple tips that you can use to learn how to stop smoking now:

1) Stop smoking for your family or loved ones...not your own health.

2) Begin exercising everyday - just a mile or 2, along with some push-ups/sit-ups is plenty. I know that this may seem cliche and ineffective...but, as this tip was referred to me by a 47-year old, ex smoker, it has worked for me and you won't lose anything by trying it.

3) Start recording all the money you spend on cigarettes each week and think about how much money that you could save by stopping.

4) Set goals for yourself. Write down your goals and look at them everyday. The power of goal setting is very underestimated in today's society.

5) Start drinking a lot more water, not flavored water or gatorade, just good ol'fashioned H20.

6) When you crave a cigarette...drink a cup of pure, herbal tea...you'd be surprised how effective this tip can be. I found this out by accident when I was trying to learn how to stop smoking cigarettes when I just drank a cup of hot, herbal, green tea for the heck of it and actually felt better and didn't crave cigarettes as much.

Those 6 tips can help you to learn how to stop smoking cigarettes for good, but if you are dead serious about making a better life for you and your family, then please do what I did and visit Stop-Smoking-Today.net. That's the same thing that I used to end my smoking habit for good, and the great thing is: it's much cheaper than patches, pills, gums, or cigarette addiction conventions. I'm so excited that you are on your way to stop smoking cigarettes the natural(and best) way.

Trust me, life will be so much better and longer for you and your loved ones. Do it for their sake and your body's sake.

Stop Smoking Herbs - Why Herbals Are Popular in Stopping Smoking

2008-10-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

The popularity that stop smoking herb methods have garnered today is quite unprecedented. Conventionally used methods, such as nicotine replacement therapies and antidepressants for coping up with the withdrawal symptoms of smoking cessation are no longer in that much currency. The disadvantages of these conventional methods greatly outnumber their advantages, and people are awakening to that fact. That is why people are seeking out natural methods to give up smoking. This is one of the major reasons for the popularity of the herbal methods, which have proved their efficiency to the world at large.

Stop smoking herbs are fit for all people, irrespective of their bodily constitution. These are perfectly natural methods without side-effects. Herbal remedies are plant derivatives, and so perfectly safe. When one is on herbal remedies, there is no danger of introducing harmful chemical substances into the body. This makes these remedies extremely popular.

Antidepressants have a lot of contraindications in them, which do not qualify them as universal methods to quit smoking. A prolonged use of antidepressants can cause delusions in people and in younger people, they can also create suicidal tendencies. They will surely reduce the mental capacity of people using them. However, there is no way stop smoking herb methods can play on the mind to such a significant extent.

Despite the present spurt in the use of stop smoking herb, it must be said that these methods have always been in used in several parts of the world. There are records of their use since millennia. Saint John's Wort is a very popular stop smoking herb that acts as a natural depressant. Its use has been known to people since several centuries. Also, some stop smoking herbs in very ancient use for smoking cessation work by creating a total dislike for the taste of the real tobacco. The most popular stop smoking herbs used for this are spearmint and peppermint.

Herein lays a very important reason for the popularity of stop smoking herb. Professional help methods such as medicines will take a smoker away from cigarettes temporarily and will help them to cope with withdrawal. But stop smoking herbs will create a total dislike for the taste of tobacco itself. This acts in a very emphatic manner to give up smoking. Even in people who smoke casually and are at a risk of becoming chain smokers, herbal remedies can nip this habit in the bud.

To get FREE REPORT about Stop Smoking Herb, just visit to our website.

John Lam is the founder of Stop Smoking Herbs - website where review the best seller for stop smoking herbs. You can get the latest market trend and information about natural smoking cessation and quit smoking aids.

The Recent Smoking Ban in India - Another Reason to Quit Smoking

2008-10-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Suddenly smoking seems to be such and important issue in India because of the countrywide ban on the deadly habit all public places and offices. Is this ban justified? Definitely. Compared to other countries who have banned smoking in public places, Indians were free to smoke as and when they wished, risking hundreds of lives. This will now end, hopefully.

Agreed that when a person smokes, he or she is solely responsible for their health. Why should it trouble others if someone is spoiling their health? But do they have the right to endanger the lives of others? Medical evidence has shown that the dangers and health problems associated with passive smoking is almost the same as that of regular smoking and this is the main reason why the Government of India and put a nationwide ban on smoking. Kudos to Dr. Ramadoss, the Union Health Minister, for his efforts in bringing up the issue of smoking.

People, especially young children, are picking up smoking like never before leading to more and more health concerns. A major inspiration for them to start smoking is through films and media. As film stars have a huge fan following, their actions and on-screen mannerisms are often aped. Likewise, a popular actor when smoking on screen can unintentionally inspire many other fans to start smoking. This fact quite fully justifies the ban on on-screen smoking on television and films.

However, the point about banning smoking in films such like taking away freedom of art and expression. Most directors and actors smoke on screen to portray certain characteristics in a particular character and by banning smoking, they have limited one aspect of characterisation. If smoking is an issue, then alcoholism, and so many other evils are equally important issues and banning these will not solve the problem, or even limit it.

Not surprisingly, a poll conducted by a popular Indian daily revealed that almost 84% of it's readers are quite happy with the smoking ban. In addition to this, many popular celebrities and other figures are endorsing the ban, so that the public takes it more seriously. Sadly, officials in the country need to be informed of this. Following the day after the ban was imposed, several Indians were booked, however the officials who booked them were not aware of the rules of the ban themselves. This is indeed a sad comment on the law enforcement service in the country.

There will always be a debate about the culture of smoking, especially since the country has a population of an estimated 120 million smokers, one of the largest in the world. We can only hope, pray or speculate that positive results can be achieved by imposing smoking bans.

Watch this for more articles : http://healthexercisepro.com

The Truth About Quitting Smoking and Weight Gain

2008-09-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

If you are someone who fears quitting smoking because of the side effects of weight gain, then we will discuss several issues in this article that you will find very interesting.

The reality is, there is a possibility you may gain weight when you quit smoking. First I will discuss the reasons why this happens. Secondly I will discuss why you shouldn't let this be a reason not to quit, as there are very simple solutions to the problem. If weight gain is a problem for you there may be other areas in your life that you can improve the same time.

Quitting smoking may be the excuse you need to improve other areas of your health and well-being at the same time. At the conclusion of this article you will be able to face quitting smoking without the fear of ever gaining a single pound.

One of the unfortunate side effects when you stop smoking, is the possibility of gaining weight. This will not happen to everybody (some lucky people never put on any weight), but it is a frequent occurrence. Some people may only put a little bit of weight while others can put on 3 kg's or more.

The reasons for this weight gain are thought be because:

Smoking actually burns about 200 calories a day as a result of your body working overtime to metabolise is the poisons from your system. So even if you don't eat any more when you quit, you still need to find a way to burn an extra 200 calories, or cut this from your daily intake.
Years of smoking can dull the taste buds and when you stop taste returns to normal. This may lead to overindulgence.
When some people quit, they substitute cigarettes with food. Instead of going outside for a ciggie they head straight for the fridge.

Many smokers use the fear of weight gain as an excuse not to quit. The fact of the matter is, there are plenty of solutions to this problem.

Here are some ideas to make sure you don't pack on the pounds after you have stubbed out that last cigarette.

As soon as you have stopped smoking, put yourself on a healthy eating plan. I'm not saying go on a diet (an evil word that should be banished from the English language), but instead make some healthier choices.

Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean meats. If you find it hard to eat healthy all the time then allow yourself to have one day a week where you spoil yourself. This makes it easy to stay on track the rest of the time.
Another good point about eating healthy straight is that it helps your body become more efficient at repairing itself and getting rid of poisons/toxins. You will need this after smoking for all those years.
Add 30 minutes of solid Aerobic activity to your daily routine; this will burn up those extra 200 calories. This can be anything from jogging, biking, skipping, or playing sports like tennis, netball or touch rugby.

The thing is, it is absolutely vital for human beings to exercise, it is simply not an option not to. There are no ifs or buts in this equation. If you are not getting any exercise, quitting smoking could be the opportunity to add this to your healthy lifestyle.

Now we all lead pretty hectic lives and it can be hard to fit 30 minutes in. You could break the 30 minutes up into segments during the day or sacrifices may need to be made like waking up 30 minutes earlier, or missing out on TV for half an hour.

If you find yourself substituting cigarettes with food, then you really need to make a conscious effort to stop. Throw out all the junk and sugar foods in the house and fill your fridge and cupboards with healthy, low calorie snacks like fruits, veggies and nuts.

If you are really serious about stopping smoking, then there is no way you should let a little something like putting on a couple of extra kg's stop you from achieving your goal. If it does stop you from quitting, then you may not be serious enough about stopping smoking in the first place.

Download our Free Report: 36 Powerful Superfoods to Start Healing Smoking Damage, get FREE NLP and Hypnosis Downloads and sign up for our Free 12 Day Quit Smoking eCourse at the following blog: http://stop-smoking-101.blogspot.com/

For a wealth of free quit smoking information and links, please visit the following Stop Smoking blog.

What Is Wrong With Most Ways To Quit Smoking?

2008-09-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

If you're asking "how to quit smoking" then you owe it to yourself and your family to read this article which might actually change your life. As someone who quit smoking over 8 years ago, I want to shock you by telling you that there is only one method to quit smoking that works and that you will simply fail if you ignore it.

What Is Wrong With Most Ways To Quit Smoking?

Before I tell you why, let me give you the simple facts.

If you take 100 people and tell them to use traditional ways to quit smoking then in 5 years time only 7 of them will still be non-smokers.

That's right, only 7% of people succeed at quitting smoking using traditional methods such as patches, hypnosis, acupuncture, the laser, inhalers, the shot or just quitting with willpower alone.

Why Do Traditional Methods Fail?

The key problem with all of these methods is that they focus on the symptoms. All of these methods try to reduce your cravings and sometimes they do actually work and you can give up smoking.

But the problem is that none of these methods will totally cure your symptoms forever. Within days, weeks or months, the cravings will come back. What's more, with these ways to quit smoking you will never lose the desire for a cigarette and you will always miss your cigarettes, you'll feel a sense of emptiness.

Think Back To When You Were A Non-Smoker

Do you remember when you were younger before you had ever smoked a cigarette? You might have had a curiosity but did you have a hunger for cigarettes? Did you "miss" cigarettes? Did you constantly think about cigarettes whenever you were unable to smoke one?

What if there were some way to truly become a non-smoker again?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If you really want to learn how to quit smoking then you must take a look at cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is the only method to quit smoking which actually works and has a success rate of over 80%.

Ever seen on TV somebody who is afraid of flying? When they get near to a plane, they start to sweat and their heart rate shoots through the roof. Doesn't this behavior seem irrational? But after a successful course of CBT, they are able to fly just like you or I with no problems.

When we look at someone scared of flying and see it as irrational - that is exactly how non-smokers look at suffering smokers who are trying to quit using traditional methods. This means that quitting smoking using CBT works in exactly the same way as overcoming a fear of flying: the effects are 100% natural and permanent.

In conclusion, CBT is the only method to quit smoking that actually works. You can ignore this method but I must warn you that to do so is at your peril. I urge you to make the right decision, for you and your family.

Discover how I used CBT methods to quit smoking 25 cigarettes a day, over 8 years ago, by clicking here: how to quit smoking.

China Tried to Stop Smoking For the Olympics - What Happened?

2008-08-24T12:46:00.001-07:00

Pubs and restaurants in Beijing were supposed to stop smoking. Then there was a big uproar and China had to allow smoking in the end, despite the Olympics.

Clearly this was a PR exercise that failed. But the point is, most people do not associate athletics with smoking. Just like you would not associate healthy living with smoking. Put it this way, if you were to choose a new doctor, would you feel confident choosing a doctor who smokes? If you were to visit a hypnotherapist, would you feel assured of the outcome with a hypnotist who smoked?

Although smacking of Big Brother, it does actually make sense to stop smoking in restaurants and bars, I have just come to Cape Town in South Africa from London in the UK. In Cape Town, smoking is allowed in bars and restaurants. Some restaurants make an attempt to make a non-smoking section, the rare coffee bar is non-smoking, but most bars and restaurants frankly stink. In London, smoking was banned in all public places last year, and it is a pleasure now to go out for a drink or a meal. There was initially much worry about going smoke-free. Businesses were worried about losing custom. However, in the UK most people are non-smokers now, and so this was a great deal easier.

And despite the health risks, in Cape Town, just like Beijing, there is a need for a drug. Nicotine happens to be a perfect drug. It calms you when you need calming, wakes you when you need to be alert, is easily delivered into the body, and is legally available.

Smoking is a coping mechanism. Smoking takes the not-Fun out of life and the smoker is left with Fun. Smoking takes the not-Happy out of life so the smoker is left with Happy. Without smoking, the smoker is faced with a great deal of not-Fun and not-Happy, and life is very grim indeed. People need to be healthy. However, they also need to be happy. Sometimes being happy is more important than being healthy. Why should it matter if you die early of cancer or a heart attack, if you have lived a happy life? And who actually wants to live a long and miserable life?

This is why nicotine replacement and various wonder pills alone fail. When the smoker is given ways to be naturally happy, such as with EFT, hypnosis, or meditation, then they can finally be calmly free from smoking. And when a nation is healed, when it becomes stronger from within, you get smoke-free restaurants. It really is a holistic matter.

China has a great deal of trauma from the past, as does Cape Town. The pain of the people needs the balm of nicotine. I sincerely hope that one day, this pain will release. With this release, there will no longer be a need for cigarettes. And then China can rest assured that its bars and restaurants will be smoke-free.

Complementary and alternative health education and empowerment is my passion. My name is Suzanne Zacharia and I am committed to empowering people to take control of their health and wellness. A virus caught along with 5 other students at university at the end of 1986, plus medical negligence, meant that I got smokers lung at a relatively young age. In desperation for help with my symptoms and quality of life, I turned to complementary therapy, and this is beyond a decade that I have outlived one doctor's prognosis. I am now a complementary therapist, author and trainer. My big passion is to help others stop smoking, as in my http://www.stop-smoking-ebooks.com

Little Known Tips For Using Acupuncture to Stop Smoking

2008-08-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

Every year, the number of people who make the decision to quit smoking increases. Some choose to quit because smoking costs them too much money. Others quit due to concern over their health. Regardless of their initial motivation, many of these would be quitters soon realize that quitting smoking is not as easy as they thought. Smoking is an addiction, and like giving up any other addiction, quitting is a difficult task. Even popular methods like a medication or the patch may fail or become too expensive. A viable alternative treatment for the smoker trying hard to quit is acupuncture to stop smoking.

Acupuncture which has been practiced successfully for centuries is now commonly used for a number of ailments, including nicotine addiction. Acupuncture to stop smoking can help smokers to conquer their addiction to nicotine and relieve withdrawal symptoms. Acupuncture assists people to quit smoking by treating symptoms specific to each individual, which creates balance within the body. A physical exam is often done to learn each person's needs and to develop an individualized treatment plan.

Acupuncturists can help people who want to stop smoking but the number of treatments and frequency of the treatments will depend on the individual diagnosis. Most smoking cessation treatments last between fifteen minutes to a half an hour and a majority of patients visit an acupuncturist once or twice each week. Patients who seek the help of an acupuncturist to stop smoking will receive about four to six 30-minute treatments during the first few weeks. The number of treatments varies, but one or two per week are generally recommended. As symptoms of nicotine withdrawal decrease, patients need only attend one session per month.

A patient's unique symptoms will determine the exact treatment that he or she gets. For those who are trying to quit smoking, however, certain spots on the body will usually be the focus for the acupuncturist. Many acupuncturists work with the body's shen men point to relieve tension, the kidney to improve self-control, the master point zero to stimulate homeostasis, and also the lungs to alleviate nicotine withdrawal symptoms. To help patients quit smoking they may also turn their attention to a point in the wrist referred to as the tim mee along with the four gate points to relax the nervous system.

Acupuncturists have also been known to prescribe herbs and supplements along with their treatments in order to control symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. For example, many acupuncturists prescribe green tea during the detoxification period so that the body is discouraged from experiencing nicotine cravings.

Other acupuncturists recommend tonics to moisten the lungs and mouth, thus preventing cravings, as well as herbal preparations in order to relieve anxiety and irritability.

While on the road to quitting smoking, smokers are urged to eat plenty of fresh fruit, citrus fruits, leafy greens and vegetables and to exercise to flush out the toxins from their system. Foods such as sugar, chocolate, coffee and junk foods are to be avoided.

Smokers should drink a lot of water, practice breathing properly, do daily exercises. Developing a strong support system to help them quit smoking is a good idea as well as having a plan in place to help them fight cravings. For example, when they crave a cigarette, smokers should instead call a friend or take a walk to shift their focus.

Searching for an effective method to stop smoking? There are a ton of products that claim to be the best at showing you how quit smoking but how do you know which is junk? Visit the How To Quit Smoking website at http://www.howquitsmoking.com to learn more about the most effective ways to get that monkey off your back.

Stop Smoking Programs - Which One is Right For You?

2008-08-19T13:26:00.002-07:00

Stopping smoking is extremely difficult to say the least, especially when going it alone. Many people have successfully learned how to quit smoking after getting help from stop smoking programs. If you have tried to quit smoking and failed and have wondered if a stop smoking program could help you, learn how to choose one that is right for you.

The Different Types of Stop Smoking Programs

You can take smoking cessation classes, have private counseling, join a support group run by a therapist or join a 12 step program like Nicotine Anonymous. But all good stop smoking programs have certain things in common:

Plenty of Sessions - Whether it is a formal class or just a one-on-one with a private counselor, your program should hold sessions or classes over several weeks. A good program should have at least 4 to 7 meetings as the minimum for you to get the most out of class or program.
Adequate Session Times - You should have sessions that last at least 30 minutes or longer. Any shorter and you are still getting your coat off and redirecting your mind from the "busy-ness" of the day! An hour or 45 minutes is ideal. Don't let yourself be pushed into a "get in, get out" mindset.
Help Past Your Quit Date - Some stop smoking programs are designed to spend several weeks preparing for you for your quit date. Others like a 12 step program have ongoing support before and after your quit date. Still others work with you 2-3 weeks past your quit time before ending. The programs that continue to assist you after quitting have the most success and are the most useful.
Money Matters - A stop smoking program should be affordable and fit into your budget. Most communities have free or low-cost public stop smoking programs hosted by local health departments. Private programs can either be very reasonable (usually in a group setting) or cost a bit higher for individual counseling. Choose the program you can afford. There is no sense in adding money woes to an already stressful situation.
Be Flexible - Public health stop smoking programs and some private support groups have preset schedules and may only teach a class or program a few times during the year. You should take this into consideration and be willing to change your quit date to match that of the program.
It's Not Easy - You should avoid any stop smoking program that implies that quitting is going to be quick or easy. There is no "magic pill" despite all the great treatment prescriptions available. Choose a program where the counselors are honest and supportive.
Use the Internet - A good many stop smoking programs make after hours help available via a website or by email. The Internet allows you 24-7 access to program information, publications or contact with a mentor/sponsor or counselor. The Web also works well for those are uncomfortable in a group setting.

About the author:

After smoking for more than 15 years, and trying every product, plan, and trick in the book to stop smoking cigarettes, it is great to be able to say I Finally Stopped. After years of struggling with trying to kick the habit, blaming myself for the failures and wishing I had the will power and motivation to quit, I finally found that being successful required more than just the desire to quit. I decided to share the information and resources that helped me, so that hopefully it will help someone else as well. Understanding the habit, addiction, and what it takes to overcome it are key to quitting. I hope that this information helps at least one person stop smoking and feel better about life and themselves in the process. Find Out More at http://www.ifinallystopped.com

Is Smoking Reducing Your Chances of Getting a Date?

2008-08-19T13:26:00.001-07:00

Lots of us know that smoking can have a major negative impact on our health. But what is less well reported are the subtle changes that it has on our appearance. Studies have shown it makes us appear less attractive and prematurely old. In a nutshell, it contributes to us being less sexually attractive.

There have been widely publicised campaigns to reduce smoking for years. But despite all these health education efforts, there are still a significant proportion of people that continue with the habit. And there are still a worrying number of young people starting smoking everyday.

But smoking can have subtle changes on a person over time that can affect their appearance. This can include their skin becoming greyer and prematurely aging. There maybe more wrinkles on the face especially around the lips where there can be puckering lines. The hair can become thinner and have less life. In some cases there may also be a problem of teeth falling out due to reduced circulation in the gums.

In short, smoking can make you look old before your time and sexually unattractive. There have been a number of twin studies carried out that have confirmed these findings. The genetically identical twin that smoked had a significantly worse appearance than their non-smoking sibling.

Concentrating on these factors maybe a more effective deterrent to young smokers than concentrating on the diseases that can be caused by smoking. Educating a young person that they may develop lung cancer when they are older just doesn't seem to have had the effect of significantly educing the number of people smoking. But relating the effects to their appearance could really make it relevant to their lives.

The society that we live in is now dominated by the way that you look and appear to others. Millions are spent each year on medical procedures to improve our looks. But a little bit of prevention is far better than resorting to surgery at a later date. Stopping smoking is one of the best ways of making yourself more attractive to others.

If you really want to quit visit http://www.stop-smoking-quit-tips.com. Discover whether stop smoking lasers work or not and the best quit smoking aids.

How to Stop Smoking Now!

2008-08-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Addiction is one of the hardest things to deal with in life, it doesn't matter if its drugs, alcohol, food, smoking or something else altogether. With addictions, there's always that nagging feeling that you need it, even though it might be obvious to other people that you do not.

Only a true addict knows what addiction feels like. But I feel like the realization to stop smoking and the guilt that comes along with it is more prevalent than it is in drugs or in alcohol addictions. When I was a smoker, it was obvious that it wasn't good for me but I just couldn't stop myself. It sounds stupid but there's the pain of realizing you will never have another cigarette again if you quit smoking and that's all that comes to mind, not the pros but instead all the cons.

For some people who may decide to stop smoking they can do it cold turkey without a problem but for other people not only is it a hard thing to realize that you need to stop smoking, but it's also hard thing to do in general. There were several times where I tried to stop smoking, by using an aide such as Nicorette, hypnosis, and commit, and the only thing that really worked for me was commit.

They say that after a few months, the cravings go away, but for me they just heightened especially in times when I was used to having a cigarette, such as going out for a drink with my friends, having finished dinner, or having a stressful day. Maybe it was all in my head but that nagging feeling kept coming back again and again. Finally I just gave in and started smoking again.

Then I tried something a few years later, after I decided to give it up again. But this time I went for an over-the-counter drug, i figured if I was going to stop smoking this time around, I better do whatever it takes. The reason I finally decided to give it up, I really decided to sit down and research what is in cigarettes and why we are addicted. The results are astonishing, not only astonishing but frightening. In the end this ended up not working either.

So finally it came down to the very last thing I could try and I decided to try something my mom actually suggested, which was something homeopathic. She's really into healthy things and such. So I figured I would give it a try, not even a month later I started to feel those nagging symptoms lessen each day. And as said above that nagging feeling is just one of the worst things I could possibly think of. I would suggest anyone that's having a problem with quitting smoking; If you've tried everything else and have failed, try a homeopathic remedy.

There is no magic fix. You have to realize that. You're going to have to actually work at this. The first couple weeks are going to be hard. Do you want to stop smoking? You want that nagging feeling to stop right? You would do anything to stop smoking right? Then try this, do yourself a favor right now go online and look for things relevant to Homeopathic stop smoking kits, homeopathic cures to stop smoking, stop smoking healthily, or natural herbs to stop smoking. This should give you a few sites to take a look at as well as a few natural herbs to look into. By, if you're looking for some sites right this very second, you can try these:

NaturallyDirect
Homeopathic.
ABCHomeopathy
*NativeRemedies (terrific site for ANY homeopathic and natural cures)

I wish you all the luck in the world, but always remember, if you want to stop smoking then your going to have to put a little effort into it! Good luck!

This author is a huge fan of Smoke Deter Guide

Why the Need to Quit Smoking?

2008-08-17T15:49:00.001-07:00

Do you ever try to think of the consequences of smoking?

I am not saying that every time the end is cancer or death. But there are common symptoms, which are more affected in the smokers' area than any other; which are bad breath, cough, stained teeth, stained fingers, stinking body and many more.

By quitting smoking, you are becoming a new person with a new breath, cleaner lungs and whiter teeth.

Definitely, not every non-smoker had lived up to the age of a hundred years but the life expectancy of a non-smoker compared to a smoker is at a higher step.

Did you ever think about the brown colored finger nail?

When you gave somebody your hand and on a casual look, you yourself realize the difference in colors of the nails! Quitting smoking is a remarkable step towards this end.

Another benefit of stopping smoking is monetary in nature. Just count the dollars you spend on cigarettes every year. Accumulate this, a huge sum of money, isn't it? Yes, that is what I say.

If you become a non-smoker, the money is automatically saved and can be spent on any other leisure or if you are more a philosopher, you can spend it on charity.

An overall health is affected by smoking. You will feel better and confident, if you feel healthy. Could you ever think about a day which was happy even though you are suffering from phlegm, heavy breast and acidic stomach?

On my days, I hear always that "Every Father is a King". Can you imagine a King smelling tobacco, fingers stained and coughing and spitting? No... That might be looking like some savage ruler. A non-smoker is a better adored King for the reasons that you smell human, speak without disrupting coughs and have a regular healthy body.

The kids just imitate their parents in the beginning, and a father is always their role model as a man, and mother, as a woman. They always want to be a man or women and so they copy exactly what you look like.

By quitting smoking, you would become a good role model for your growing children. If you are with many servants in your home and you never ever thought about cleaning of your house etc, then this might not look anything unusual to you or even relevant. But think about cleaning your home every time which is full of tobacco ashes and if some visitor comes to you and to your surprise if you find they behave as if they got into a burning house. How bad it is to face that? Better... decide now to quit smoking. Every time you complain about the tasteless food, did you ever notice that every where you feel the same. Yes, the food from wherever you take feels tasteless if you are a smoker. Smoking causes less-reactive taste buds and therefore, unpleasant food.

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Public Reminder - Cigarette Smoking is Dangerous to Your Health

2008-08-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the health principles behind our health and wellness products, we consistently try to increase awareness that cigarette smoking is dangerous to your health! Smoking shortens your life span and steeply increases your chances of getting cancer. Despite consistent warnings on the dangers of smoking, we still see cigarette brands aggressively advertised on TV and more people buying into the glamorized image of cigarettes.

The warnings are everywhere - subway stations, anti-smoking TV ads and even on the packs of cigarettes themselves! We certainly know the dangers that cigarette smoking pose to our health. Why then do we still see celebrities with their requisite cigarette sticks? Why do we see teenagers hanging out with a cigarette dangling from their lips? If you are a smoker, why don't you stop smoking? Here are five reasons why you need to quit smoking today.

Smoking is bad for your health - Aside from lung cancer, smoking is also considered as a major cause of cardiovascular diseases. Smoking is also linked to cancers of the bladder, mouth, and throat just to name a few. It also raises blood pressure and increases risk of cataracts. In addition, smoking may contribute to fertility problems.
Smoking can break your relationships - Non-smokers prefer non-smoking partners due to obvious reasons. For one, they don't want to expose themselves to second-hand smoke. Non-smokers also hate the smell of cigarette, which usually clings to a smoker's body even after they have washed their hands.
Smoking looks so out of style - The days of looking "cool" while puffing a cigarette is long gone. Nowadays people are more educated on the risk of smoking. Still, a lot of people, especially young adults, think that lighting up a cigarette will make them appear better than their peers.
Smoking is more expensive than quitting smoking - You will be surprised to know how much you are actually spending for cigarettes. Do a quick online search for "smoking calculator" to find out. On the other hand, seminars and programs that will help you quit smoking will set you back just a couple of hundred dollars at most.
It's not as hard as you may think to stop smoking - Every smoker will tell you that it's hard to quit, when in actuality it's not. They just don't want to quit. If you put your mind and heart to it, with a little help from family and friends, you can kick that nasty habit once and for all.

On the other hand, if you have decided to quit smoking our health articles will provide you with impetus to start and take solid steps to leading a nicotine free life! Read our posted health articles and be enlightened. Another one, some of the health website can provide for you with pertinent information, advice, tips, and other alternative means to overcome your smoking. If there are other concerns and experiences that you would like to share with other smokers feel free to contribute your feedback and comments to them.

SixWise.com as Health and Wellness provides a FREE and very popular newsletter containing highly engaging and entertaining expert articles, and independent product recommendations, in the six key areas of practical importance to adults: personal safety, health, relationships, finances, home and career.

Quit Smoking Benefits - Looking at the Improvements That Occur

2008-08-12T15:39:00.001-07:00

The habit of smoking can be a difficult one to break and for that reason many are afraid to commit to the process. In order for some people to realize the necessity of quitting smoking they need to look at quit smoking benefits that will occur once they stop smoking. Of course the most common ailment we hear associated with smoking is cancer, but there are many other problems that you should be concerned with as well. Unfortunately, Quitting smoking is thought to be more difficult that quitting heroine! This gives you an idea of the seriousness of this issue.

Finding Out About Quit Smoking Benefits

Once a person stops smoking there are immediate quit smoking benefits that set about. The body starts immediately to repair itself and things such as blood pressure, heart rate and the body temperature of the hands and feet increases within twenty minutes of smoking that last cigarette.

Within eight hours the carbon monoxide level decreases to normal and the oxygen level returns to normal. During the first year after quitting smoking people report improve in energy, circulation increases, shortness of breathe decreases and people report being able to smell better.

The quit smoking benefits for up to fifteen years include the risk of a stroke becoming that of any average person and the potential for a hear attack also decreases when a person stops smoking. The chances of developing lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cancer of the mouth, throat, kidney, bladder and esophagus also decrease.

The overall health improvement of a person who quits smoking is dramatic. They will find that they feel better and can be as physically active as they want without the need to stop and catch their breathe. People who quit smoking also add to their life expectancy, living longer and healthier lives is certainly a quit smoking Medicare.

There are also health benefits to those around you too. Folks who are exposed to second hand smoke are also at an increase risk of lung cancer and other health difficulties including asthma. Children who are exposed to second hand smoke are sick more often than those that are not, by stopping smoking those around you can have healthier lives too.

Other quit smoking benefits include things as simple as monetary benefits. Not only do non - smokers receive better health insurance rates they are also saving money because they aren ' t spending it on cigarettes. The monthly fee for cigarettes can be very costly and by eliminating this cost, people find they are actually saving money.

Smoking is a difficult habit to break but there are many beneficial reasons to stop smoking and these should be considered and evaluated. By stopping smoking a person adds years to their own life as well as those around them.

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Top Tips to Help You Quit Smoking Fast

2008-08-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

Learning how to quit smoking can be a very difficult thing to do. There are many techniques and approaches one can try and it can get easy to get confused as to which ones might work well for you. Here are some tips to help you on the road to quitting permanently:

Tip 1: You must first want to quit

Willpower is critical when it comes to quitting and you must be serious about wanting to let go of smoking as there will always be moments where you will feel like going back.

Tip 2: Focus on the negatives of smoking and positives of not smoking

As human beings we tend to things in order to avoid pain and gain pleasure. You should focus on all the pain that smoking has brought into your life like lack of stamina or other negative health effects and focus on the positives that not smoking will bring into your life such as improved health and energy levels and also having more money from not having to buy cigarettes anymore.

Tip 3: Give it up gradually

Going cold turkey will be too difficult for most people so consider reducing the amount you smoke slowly until you do not need to smoke anymore. Setup a plan where you will smoke 2 to 3 less cigarettes a day or a week until you no longer feel the need to smoke. Most people smoke to relax and the deep breaths that smoking forces you to take can be soothing and stress relieving. Why not take the deep breaths without the cigarettes as this can be just as effective anytime you feel stressed.

Tip 4: Chew gum

Every time you feel like you need to smoke try chewing some gum instead as it can help to reduce cravings. You can try the nicotine gums if you like as they may be useful at reducing cravings better than normal gum. Follow the directions closely when trying the medicated gums in order to get the best results possible.

Tip 5: Join a quit smoking club

If you can network with others that are trying and have successfully quit then your chances of quitting are better since you will receive support and positive feedback for your efforts which will motivate you further to quit. Another good strategy can be to find a friend who has a similar goal of quitting and work together to help each other quit and stay on course even when things seem tough.

Tip 6: Hypnosis

There are many hypnosis training systems that can help you to quit smoking. These systems will train your mind to avoid cigarettes. Many people that have smoked heavily for years are able to quit rapidly because they learned to use the power of their mind to help them quit fast. It is important to have an open mind and believe that the hypnosis system you are trying will be effective otherwise you will have a harder time getting good results if you do not believe in it first. Try some of these quit smoking tips to help you lead a healthier life.

Joseph is an online researcher, author and a regular contributor to a health and fitness site. Learn more about how to stop smoking and also be sure to stop by and read our Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review as a possible weight loss solution.

Real Facts About Smoking and a Review of a Program to Help Quit Smoking

2008-08-12T15:37:00.000-07:00

Tagged:quit smoking, quit smoking fast, smoking facts, quitting smoking, smoking statistics
I want to begin my article with several facts about smoking, which you might have not even been aware of (and hopefully which will make you quit smoking, or at least make you rethink of what you are doing with your body) Later I will talk about a program to help quit smoking.

Fact 1: Smokers have a blood pressure about 10 points higher than normal and their heartbeat is about 20 beats faster than in a non smoker.

Fact 2: In US alone, nearly half a million people die annually because of smoke related conditions.

Fact 3: About 25% of the world's population are smokers. That is about 1 and a half BILLION people.

Fact 4: Tobacco companies are one of the most profitable companies in the world, and the most profitable of those companies that make money by degrading people's health.

Fact 5: 1 out of 5 deaths that happens is tobacco related.

The facts are shocking, and a lot of people who find about them are horrified. I will not recommend that you quit smoking. I will not hint you to quit smoking. I will demand that you quit smoking. By smoking you do not just hurt yourself but others around you as well.

Second hand smoking is often regarded as even worse than smoking itself.

Now that I am through the scary part of smoking let me talk about a program to help quit smoking as fast as you have learned it. the program is called Quit Smoking Today. The program is for those smokers out there that have tried the pills, gum, patches, and other methods of quitting. The program claims to make you quit smoking in the first day of you trying it. However, the results may vary for everyone because everyone's bodies are different and work at different rates.

My mother actually tried the program not too long ago, and guess what? After 27 years of being a smoker, she finally is a non-smoker.

To find out more about scary facts about smoking, I recommend going to http://www.smoking-facts.net

To find out more about the program Quit Smoking Today go to My Wordpress Blog

Help! I Can't Stop Smoking

2008-08-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

"Help! I can't stop smoking". Have you ever said that to yourself or have you ever actually said that to someone? I am not a smoker but my father has been a lifetime heavy smoker. He has reached out and asked for help and I can see deep inside that he is screaming for help.

It has been a very difficult journey for him in the quest to stop smoking. As far as I can remember, he has tried to quit smoking. He tried cold turkey, the patch, the gum, and anything that was suggested to him. He even tried to chew tobacco thinking that would stop the smoking habit. Nothing has worked for him and he feels like a failure. This is a man who had always helped others, loved his farm, loved to travel, loved adventure and the outdoors. He is unable to help anyone, needs constant care, and is unable to enjoy all the things he loved.

Today, he can barely take a few steps because he can't breath. He is in a wheelchair and needs a tank of oxygen. He constantly gets infections even though he coughs out mucus all day. He has given up on himself and life, accepting what has happened and doesn't want to try anymore. He has lost all his hope. At this point, I see a man waiting to die. The most devastating thing about all of this is that he still smokes. He cannot quit and his life depends on it.

He has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This disease has severely limited him from enjoying the rest of his life. He already misses things like, fishing, camping, hiking, traveling, driving, just to name a few. He has lost a lot of his independence and daily tasks become increasingly difficult. He also had to sell his farm that he worked so hard to acquire, just to help with his medical expenses.

I can see that trying to quit smoking, failing to quit smoking, and the disease has been mentally draining on him. All I can say as his daughter to anyone in this similar situation is to please don't give up on yourself. Keep trying to stop smoking whatever it takes and for as long as you possibly can. And as a father who has been struggling with smoking and smoking related diseases, if you are unable to fight for yourself any longer, please fight for your children and all who love you.

I have not given up on my father even though he has given up on himself. I will keep trying to help him stop smoking even if he has to try a method, two, three, or more times until something works. Don't ever give up on yourself.

To any smoker who has not yet succumbed to any smoking related diseases, and for whatever reasons, you want to quit, try to quit as soon as possible. Keep trying. Don't find yourself in the same position as my father and so many others out there struggling with a disease, the heartache, and the mental anguish.

COPD doesn't have to be a death sentence.

http://www.copd-international.com/

http://www.my-linker.com/hop/nlptostopsmoking

Ways to Stop Smoking. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

2008-08-11T13:46:00.002-07:00

There are many ways to stop smoking but they are not all equal in effectiveness. Let's take a closer look

Willpower Alone

I call this bad because the success rate is very low. When you think about it, it's obvious why. Going cold turkey, you will feel cravings almost immediately and require incredible willpower to get through the first week and month.

Very few people are successful with this method.

The Patch

I call this ugly because it deceives you into thinking that it is a good way to stop smoking.

What happens is that you come off the cigarettes and onto the patches. You then cut down on the patches over a period of 12 weeks.

Then you have the problem of coming off the patches.

This method is no different to cutting down on cigarettes and is designed to keep the drug companies in profit. Steer well clear of the patches.

Hypnosis

I would call this a moderately good method. Why?

Because, at first glance, it looks great. You see a hypnotist and they put you into a trance. During this trance, they give you various suggestions such as "incredible willpower" and "no cravings".

What then happens is that you are highly likely to stop smoking on the day of the hypnosis.

But you are also extremely likely to start again. After 6 months, over half of patients have started again. And after a year, it's over 80%.

You cannot call hypnosis a good method.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

This method is different. It's used for all sorts of other conditions such as phobias.

Think about this technique for a moment. If someone has an irrational fear of flying that they know is crazy but they can't help it, then CBT can help them. The therapist breaks down the irrational fear bit by bit until the person sees it for what it is - a totally irrational and illogical thing.

CBT is used in exactly the same way for smoking. There are many myths that you believe because you are a smoker and it is hard to convince you otherwise. But, bit by bit this can be broken down and your addiction quashed.

CBT is definitely a good method.

I quit smoking 25 a day over 8 years ago. If you're lazy and don't feel like quitting then don't visit my site, http://www.QuitSmokingWithJoe.com

The Beginners Guide to Quitting Smoking

2008-08-11T13:46:00.001-07:00

"Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things you will ever do".

If you have been a smoker for any length of time, I'm sure you've heard this many, many times before.

The fact of the matter is, this is nothing more than a myth. A very dangerous one. It is dangerous because too many of us believe it to be true.

Unfortunately, this way of thinking prevents many of us from successfully quitting smoking. I know this, because I was one of them.

If you wish to quit smoking, there is one thing you must have. That one thing is belief. If you believe you can quit, than you can. If you don't, you are already on the path to failure. I failed to quit numerous times because I didn't have self-belief.

It comes down to the age old adage, 'Whether you believe that you can, or believe you can't, either way you are right.'

If you want to quit and believe that you can, then make a firm decision. Quitting smoking takes 100% commitment, nothing less. If you go into the process thinking, "I'm not sure I can quit but I will give it a go," then I'm not sure you should bother trying . You have pretty much convinced yourself you can't do it before you have even begun.

Set yourself a quit date and stick to it. Give yourself time to think it over and prepare mentally. If you reach your quit date and still believe 100% that you can do it, then the time to quit has come.

Here are some tips to help you out in the early stages.

On your quit date get rid of everything that reminds you of smoking. This includes all your cigarettes/tobacco, lighters, matches, ash trays, etc.
For the 2-4 weeks try to avoid all smokers and smoking areas. This may mean staying low for a while. Seeing and being around other smokers is the worst thing you can do early on.
Stay positive throughout. Always think about the reasons why you have decided to quit. Keeping these thoughts in your head will help keep motivation high and willpower strong. Quitting smoking is one of the most positive moves you can make, always remember this.

Throughout the quitting process, always believe in yourself and your abilities. The longer you stick at it, the easier it becomes.

Smoking is far, far more a mental addiction than it is a physical one. The more you believe you can quit, the easier the quitting process becomes.

If you believe you can quit smoking, then you can. It really is that simple.

Todd Williams is a reformed smoker who wants to help you quit smoking. Chat to him in the quit smoking forum at his website. Follow this link for more free tips on stopping smoking and to download his informative free eBook. For more free information on how to quit smoking please visit the blog.

Craving a Cigarette - How Long Will it Last?

2008-08-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

Craving a cigarette is, of course, one of the main worries about quitting smoking. How long the cravings for cigarettes are going to last after you have had that last cigarette is probably the main concern any smoker feels when they stop. It is such an overwhelming fear, that most smokers doom themselves to failure because they become obsessed with the little facets of the difficulties of quitting, like the ongoing cravings.

I do not mean to say this is a demeaning way. Smokers who want to quit (and by some research, that could be as many as 80% of them) usually try to quit smoking with a lot of pre-conceived ideas about how difficult it will be - including worrying about overwhelming cravings! The solution to these difficulties lies in education and knowledge.

There is absolutely nothing unusual in having pre-conceptions about how difficult it will be to quit, but by being so 'certain' of the pitfalls beforehand, you close down opportunities to make it easy.

So how long do cravings really last? Well, the first three days are always the worst, with day three often reported as the tensest. After that, cravings will subside rapidly and are often non-existent after a month to six weeks. But this is irrelevant in terms of taking your quit attempt from a plan to real success.

Let me explain with an analogy.

If you were to give a speech at a wedding, there are two ways to go about it; confidently or fearfully right?

If you are confident it will go well, you automatically dismiss lots of fears about a deadpan audience, worries and anguish over your jokes falling flat and so set about preparing you speech in a confident and positive mood. The result is very likely to be a confident and positive speech, packed with laughs and applause! Well done you!

If you are fearful, you start by preparing our speech in a fearful and fretful manner. You are not confident of your jokes and when you deliver your speech, you are filled with trepidation which reflects in your delivery. The result is a silent but polite audience and a lot of commiseratory comments after the speech as you search for a shovel with which to dig yourself a big hole to go and hide in!

The thing is, if you start out confident of success, you stand a damned good chance of getting the success you desire. If you start out fearfully and lacking in confidence, there is a good chance this will be reflected in your experience on the day. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So what has this got to do with cravings I hear you ask? Well my response is who cares about how long the cravings last? If you have decided to quit smoking, you should be so steely and determined, that piffling little cravings will be mere bumps in the road, not rock-falls and landslides blocking the way.

When you decide to quit smoking, you should understand that you will have cravings for cigarettes but you should have already decided that these cravings are a price that you must pay to enjoy the bounty on the other side - a smoke free you. Your health and well-being and confidence will all improve once you have achieved you goal and the reward will be great if there was effort involved.

How you view and perceive that effort depends greatly on you mindset and attitude to what you are trying to achieve. If you enter into trying to quit smoking, fearful, crestfallen and lacking confidence, your result will more likely failure. If you take a positive, determined and unswerving attitude, your success will readily manifest itself.

Having said that, don't make 'not craving for cigarettes', your goal. Your cravings are merely a measure of your success. Your goal is to know that you have overcome you dependence on cigarettes and that requires you to change your pre-conceptions on smoking as much as anything else.

If you would you like to learn more about changing your mindset before you quit smoking so you can make it a walk in the park, then the EasyQuit System might just be for you. You don't need willpower or effort to quit, just understanding with this remarkable approach. Available online to download right now at http://easyquitsystem.net with a full 60 day money back guarantee.

One way to quit smoking, care about your health--expert

2008-07-30T15:09:00.000-07:00

Are you one of those smokers who want to quit but can’t?

In a recently held forum, “Why Quitting Can’t Wait: A Forum on Nicotine Addiction,” Dr. Karl Fagerstrom, known as the father of smoking cessation, said that if the smoker cared for his health, then he should quit.

“They should stop smoking because if they care for their health, it’s [smoking] a very stupid thing to do since smoking kills every second of life of a smoker,” Fagerstrom said.

The Department of Health cited that 70% of smokers wanted to quit but only 30% of them have been serious and successful.

Dr. Edgardo Juan Tolentino, president of the Group for Addiction Psychiatry of the Philippines, said in the same forum that smokers found it hard to kick the habit because they underwent neuro-adaptation, a phenomenon wherein the brain has learned to adapt to substances of abuse due to continuous exposure to these.

Fagerstrom said that the most effective treatments would be to either seek professional help or use some form of nicotine replacement like gum or varenicline, a generic drug in pill form. In the Philippines, Pfizer Inc. has introduced varenicline as Champix.

A statement released by Pfizer said that varenicline was “one of the more effective treatments available for smoking cessation and was the only non-nicotine, doctor-prescribed pharmacologic treatment for nicotine addiction.”

“Varenicline gives patients a greater chance of quitting,” according to Pfizer, citing clinical studies where “44 percent of the more than 6,000 patients who used the drug successfully quit smoking in 12 weeks.”

Fagerstrom said that his patients go through a smoking cessation program for a period of at least three months.

Once the patient decides to take the smoking cessation program, the patient should set a timetable indicating when he would stop, Tolentino also said.

With the decision to quit, Tolentino said smokers would go through the following stages:

• Pre-contemplation where smokers become aware of the negative effects of the habit and realize that this is harmful to their health;
• Seek professional help; and
• Take action against the habit.

Tolentino also emphasized how important the families, friends, and co-workers of the smoker would be in his or her desire to change.

Tolentino also said that parents should lead by example. “If I am the father, and I’m a smoker, I will not have the moral authority to tell my kid to stop smoking.”

Fagerstrom said that a non-smoker surrounded by smokers in the workplace should have the courage to tell the smoker not to do so in front of him.

To those who have not yet tried smoking, Fagerstrom shared this piece of advice: “Best thing is to never start smoking!”
Source

Coalition teams with state officials to sponsor stop smoking contest

2008-07-30T15:07:00.000-07:00

For the second straight year, the local tobacco control coalition for Vigo County is teaming with state health officials to sponsor a statewide stop smoking contest known as “Quit 2 Win.”

The contest will offer cash prizes totaling $5,000, including a top prize of $2,500. Once the winner is determined, the prizes will be awarded later this fall.

To sign up, people can visit any one of the following locations: Booker T. Washington Community Center; Casey Indiana Business College; Indiana State University Cunningham Memorial Library; Owens Hall at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College; Bemis; Vigo County Public Library; and Kroger South.

The contest comes at an important time, as cigarette consumption in the state of Indiana is down significantly. In July 2007, a law was passed raising Indiana’s tobacco tax by 44 cents from 55 to 99 cents. Since that time, cigarette consumption in Indiana has dropped by 17.8 percent.

In order to enter the contest, you must be at least age 18, and pledge to stop using tobacco between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15.

All “Quit 2 Win” entries must be received by Sept. 1.

A winner will be drawn at random and tested to make sure they are tobacco-free. Cash prizes of $1,500 and $1,000, respectively, will be awarded to the second-place and third-place finishers. To enter online, visit the INShape www.inshape.IN.gov and click on the “Quit 2 Win” icon.

Hoosiers interested in signing up for the contest also can enter in person by filling out an entry card at various fairs and festivals throughout the state.
Source

Few aware that smoking can cause bladder cancer

2008-07-30T15:06:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - While most people know that smoking can cause lung cancer, a new study shows that few know that it is a major risk factor for bladder cancer -- even among people who have the disease.

In a research review published in the Journal of Urology, investigators found that in one recent study, just over one third of adults knew that smoking raises the risk of bladder cancer. In contrast, 98 percent correctly identified the habit as a risk factor for lung cancer.

What's more, a study of patients with early-stage bladder cancer found that just 22 percent knew that smoking contributes to the disease.

All of this points to a serious shortcoming in patient education, according to Drs. Seth A. Strope and James E. Montie of the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.

"A big gap exists between patient knowledge and their actual risk," Strope said in a written statement.

Smoking is believed to be responsible for half of bladder cancer cases, the researchers note, so quitting could substantially reduce a smoker's risk of the disease. And for people who've been successfully treated for early bladder cancer, quitting can reduce the chances of a recurrence.

One study Strope and Montie reviewed found that when smokers with bladder cancer quit after their diagnosis, they reduced their risk of recurrence by about 30 percent compared with patients who continued to smoke.

Despite this, the researchers found that many smokers -- even those with bladder cancer -- say their doctor never advised them to quit. In a government study of U.S. adults, only half of smokers with a physician said they had received advice to quit. And a UK study of bladder cancer patients found that only 7 percent said their urologist had told them to quit smoking.

"Our study suggests that physicians must do a much better job of communicating the risk to our patients, and directing them toward smoking cessation programs," Strope said.

SOURCE: Journal of Urology, July 2008.

Nicotine Effects. Want the truth about Nicotine Patches?

2008-07-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

Tagged: nicotine patch, nicotine patches, nicotine replacement therapy, quit smoking
Nicotine is a drug that can keep a person addicted to the dangerous habit of smoking cigarettes, this only happens to be the tip of several ice-burgs where nicotine effects are present. Small amounts of nicotine can cause a person to have lightheaded or dizzy symptoms, nausea, along with potential heart, breathing and blood pressure problems.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are available to alleviate several nicotine effects when a smoker decides to quit the habit of smoking cigarettes. Typically when a smoker quits the habit he or she can face numerous side effects within a few short hours or days. This can range in symptoms from irritable behavior through to a lack of concentration, and the symptoms will vary from one person to another.

Nicotine can cause a smoker to experience a pleasurable notion therefore causing a psychological addition to the drug. A smoker can experience many pleasurable emotions along with a desirable need to maintain these emotions or feelings. Many smokers would rather continue to be addicted to the drug due to the nicotine effects of quitting smoking. It can be an extremely stressful task to undertake.

Along with nicotine patches and gum, there are also nicotine products available in terms of nasal sprays or inhalers. It is however important that a smoker does not continue to smoke cigarettes during the process of using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products as he or she may suffer the effects of nicotine overdose.

Overall the nicotine effects can be numerous; difficulties arise for those who continue to smoke cigarettes along with those who wish to quit the habit are inevitable. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products can of course alleviate many of the withdrawal symptoms associated with the addiction however it is advisable that each smoker seeks the advice of a professional such as a Doctor, Physician, or Pharmacist before undergoing the treatment to successfully quit smoking forever.

Want the truth about Nicotine Patches? Then visit the Easy Quit System to successfully quit smoking 3 hours or less!

Hospital bans outdoor smoking

2008-07-29T13:45:00.000-07:00

Bandon’s Southern Coos Hospital and Health Center is paving the way as a community leader by responding to Oregon’s no-smoking legislation with a new policy of its own. The facility became a tobacco-free campus on July 1.

The vision of hospital CEO Jim Wathen, a 39-year smoker who quit his habit about 16 months ago, the program has extended the state’s ban against smoking inside buildings to the entire hospital property.

Wathen believes that, as a community leader in a small city, the hospital has a level of responsibility for promoting healthy lifestyles.

“One of the worst problems is smoking,” he said.

“We don’t deserve recognition as a community leader if we don’t address this prime concern,” Wathen said.

According to the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Oregon, each day 18 Oregonians die from tobacco use, 20 Oregon kids start smoking and 35,000 Oregonians are still exposed to secondhand smoke at work. TOFOC’s challenge to Oregonians is for communities to “take responsibility and become tobacco-free,” and “learn ways to fight the health and economic toll of tobacco use.” Southern Coos Hospital has stepped up to the challenge.

Now that Southern Coos is tobacco-free, hospital employees may no longer use any tobacco product on the campus. They are required to go off property if they must use tobacco during their workday, according to Wathen.

Southern Coos cannot fine patients and other visitors if they choose to smoke on the property, Wathen said. But, staff will politely ask them to smoke or use tobacco in their vehicles. In-patients will have access to free counseling if they want to quit, he added.

The program also has taken a pro-active role by establishing specific programs to help those employees who wish to stop using tobacco products.

Through the Employee Assistance Program, hospital employees may seek personal counseling or take advantage of the services of a staff nutritional counselor to stop using tobacco.

The hospital’s doctors are authorized to prescribe “proscriptive aids” for the initial 30-day period, Wathen said. Employees may also use over-the-counter aids at work. These aids do not contain tobacco and are used to help wean users off nicotine, the addictive element in tobacco. “Nicotine is among the top 1 percent of the most addictive substances. Few things are more addictive,” Wathen said.

Wathen admits that smoking is an enjoyable habit. He noted that most smokers do not like to think that it is an addiction. He added that statistics indicate that an average of 15- to 20-percent of the population will always be smokers.

Knowing from personal experience how difficult it is to quit and that coming to a hospital can be stressful, Wathen stated that it is vital to have a supportive environment in which to stop using tobacco. The hospital has replaced ashtrays with candies as one subtle encouragement. Wathen also intends to give staff members individual recognition for quitting.

“If just one person quits, that makes the program a success,” he said.

For more information about specific rules regarding the new tobacco ban at Southern Coos, those interested can contact Lauren Paquet, administrative assistant, at 347-2426.
Source

Big Tobacco, Meet Big Philanthropy

2008-07-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that the tobacco industry has met its match? After years of watching public-health groups and governments struggle to rein in the multinational tobacco companies, it was good to hear that Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City and Bill Gates have joined forces to combat the smoking epidemic threatening many low- and middle-income countries.

When two highly visible billionaire philanthropists put their resources and stature behind a campaign, the results are apt to be good. And their target is a worthy one: tobacco companies and government-owned tobacco enterprises trying to addict hundreds of millions of new customers in the developing world as sales stagnate or shrivel in the industrialized nations.

Mr. Bloomberg and Mr. Gates jointly announced commitments from their charitable foundations last week that will raise the money available to roughly $500 million over the next several years. Mr. Bloomberg plans to invest another $250 million over the next four years on top of $125 million that already had been committed. Mr. Gates, who was happy to join the crusade, is to allocate $125 million over five years.

The new funds will dwarf the $20 million a year currently spent on antismoking campaigns in poor and middle-income countries. The money is to be spent to promote strategies whose effectiveness has already been proved to the satisfaction of the World Health Organization. The campaign will urge governments to sharply raise tobacco taxes, prohibit smoking in public places, ban tobacco advertising, start antismoking campaigns and help people quit smoking. It will assist governmental agencies and provide funding for nongovernmental organizations to help press for tobacco controls.

The goal is to reverse the rapid rise of smoking in such countries as China, India and Russia and to head off the epidemic in Africa before it can become entrenched. One big problem is that many countries have become addicted to the revenues generated by tobacco taxes or government-owned tobacco companies. They will have to be persuaded that the long-term health damage caused by tobacco far exceeds any short-term gain from tobacco revenues.
Source

Smoking ban aids workers to quit

2008-07-29T13:35:00.000-07:00

By Telegraph newsdesk »

A BLACKBURN-based charity which provides shelter and support for young people is trying to lead by example by introd-ucing a no-smoking policy amongst staff.

Seven out of 12 staff at Nightsafe, which operates the ‘Fusebox’ day centre, two hostels and an emerg-ency shelter for young people, were smokers.

But after changing its policy as a result of the last year’s ban on smoking in public places, three of the seven workers have decided to quit.

They have been helped by East Lancashire PCT Stop Smoking service, who gave a presentation to staff and then held further events.

Operations manager Linda Sharratt said: “Some of our staff were more pos-itive about giving up bec-ause it had become more difficult for them to smoke at work.

“It was especially testing for staff on duty overnight as they had to go outside to smoke. We also have a policy of not smoking in front of the young people who come to us for help.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about the East Lancashire PCT’s Stop Smoking Services on the following numbers: Hyndburn and Ribble Valley – 01254 358095; Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale – 01282 607002.

Billionaires Back Antismoking Effort

2008-07-24T06:16:00.000-07:00

Nicole Bengiveno/The New York Times

Bill Gates and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced their half-billion-dollar pledge in Midtown on Wednesday.

By DONALD G. MCNEIL JR

Published: July 24, 2008

Bill Gates and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced on Wednesday that they would spend $500 million to stop people around the world from smoking.

The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco will kill up to a billion people in the 21st century, 10 times as many as it killed in the 20th.

This time, most are expected to be in poor countries like Bangladesh and middle-income countries like Russia. In an effort to cut that number, Mr. Bloomberg’s foundation plans to commit $250 million over four years on top of a $125 million gift he announced two years ago. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is allocating $125 million over five years.

Since 1999, the Gates Foundation has spent more than $2 billion on AIDS programs and about $1.2 billion on malaria. Mr. Gates has just left his Microsoft post for full-time foundation work and said he intends to form partnerships with other philanthropists.

The announcement was made at a joint news conference at TheTimesCenter in Midtown Manhattan attended by foundation staffers and foreign students enrolled in a tobacco control program at Johns Hopkins University that is supported by Mr. Bloomberg. He has campaigned against smoking for years, but this is a new direction for the Gates Foundation.

Thanking Mr. Gates, Mr. Bloomberg said, “I’m an optimist, but I’m also a realist.”

“All the money in the world will never eradicate tobacco,” he added. “But this partnership underscores how much the tide is turning against this deadly epidemic.” The new donations far outstrip current spending of about $20 million a year on antismoking campaigns in poor and middle-income countries, according to a recent W.H.O. report.

The $500 million would be spent on a multipronged campaign — nicknamed Mpower — that Mr. Bloomberg and Dr. Margaret Chan, director of the health organization, outlined in February. It coordinates efforts by the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, the World Health Organization, the World Lung Foundation, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, the foundation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

It will urge governments to sharply raise tobacco taxes, prohibit smoking in public places, outlaw advertising to children and cigarette giveaways, start antismoking advertising campaigns and offer people nicotine patches or other help quitting. Health officials, consumer advocates, journalists, tax officers and others from third world countries will be brought to the United States for workshops on topics like lobbying, public service advertising, catching cigarette smugglers and running telephone help lines for smokers wanting to quit. A list of grants is at tobaccocontrolgrants.org.

Dr. Richard Peto, an Oxford epidemiologist who leads studies on the effects of smoking in the developing world, called the announcement “excellent news.”

“I reckon this will avoid tens of millions of deaths in my lifetime and hundreds of millions in my kids’ lifetimes,” he said.

Catherine Armstrong, a spokeswoman for British American Tobacco — one of the Western tobacco companies that focuses on sales to the third world — would not comment directly on the new initiative. But she said, “We have no problem with government organizations educating people on the risks of tobacco.”

A spokesman for Philip Morris, which makes Marlboro, the world’s most popular cigarette brand, said the company agreed that children should be kept from smoking but thought that raising cigarette taxes promoted smuggling and counterfeiting.

Mr. Bloomberg, founder of the financial news company bearing his name and creator of the Bloomberg Family Foundation, has long been known for his antipathy to tobacco. During his administration, New York has adopted several antismoking measures, including a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants, and significant increases in cigarette taxes.

The global campaign promises to be a struggle. Cigarettes not only are highly addictive and supported by huge advertising campaigns, they are also an important source of income for many foreign governments. In China and other countries, tobacco is a state-owned monopoly, and low- and middle-income countries collect $66 billion a year in tobacco taxes.

Only about 5 percent of the world’s countries have any antismoking measures like those the campaign envisions. But Dr. Peto said antismoking campaigns were already having some effects, even in countries where no-smoking signs are often ignored. He surveyed thousands of tobacco users in China in the 1990s — “before the government was taking it seriously,” he said — and found 4 percent who identified themselves as former smokers. Now, he said, 20 percent do.

In India, where people have long chewed tobacco but widespread smoking is more recent, Dr. Peto said he found almost no one who had quit. “India is where China was in the mid-1990s,” he said.

Smoking is not widespread in most of Africa, where only about 20 percent of men smoke, and Mr. Gates said on Wednesday that he hoped to prevent a surge in smoking there.

Waves of lung cancer deaths — which typically begin about 40 years after smoking takes hold in a society — help convince the next generation that smoking is dangerous, as in the United States in the 1960s, Dr. Peto said. And, he added, “When doctors and journalists start to take it seriously, things start to change.”

The Gates Foundation’s main focus has been global health, but up until now it has concentrated mostly on infectious diseases. Mr. Gates said he had been “looking at” tobacco deaths but was unsure what to do. “We were thrilled when Michael and his experts took the lead,” he said.

The Top five in Quit Smoking Programs

2008-07-20T13:05:00.000-07:00

Quitting cold turkey, is not necessarily the best way to quit smoking, Actually it is reported to have one of the worst success rates of all the different ways there are to quit.

Not every quit smoking program is equally effective, and the program that works for you may not work for the next guy, that's a fact of life.

These 5 quit smoking programs, are generally known as some of the best and most effective ones. They are not in any particular order, I am not to say which one is best, but they are generally recognised as the top 5 quit smoking programs, and are listed in no particular order:

1. NRT = Nicotine Replacement Therapy, which is what you also know as patches, gums or inhalers just to name a few. However effective this kind of quit smoking program may be, there is a downside too: You risk getting addicted to the gum or patch instead of the cigarettes, so if you are not careful you risk replacing one addiction with another.

2. Zyban: Originally invented as a drug against depression, patients on the drug reported that they lost their desire to smoke, and therefore it became a quit smoking drug instead. As quit smoking pills go, this is known to be one of the more effective one's, but I highly doubt that it gets more than half of its users smoke free.

3. NLP= Neuro Linguistic Programming. This is a therapy form, that works with how you think, and acts, and it is closely related to the next 2 methods, that as a whole is reported to bring a quitting efficiency above 70%, one of these would be my choice if I were to quit today.

4. Hypnosis, or hypnotherapy, in this method we work with your subconscious mind, and work on changing the way feel and think about yourself, your identity and your relationship to smoking, there are subtle differences in how hypnotherapists work with you to quit smoking, but the good thing here are that you are able to download quit smoking sessions immediately after purchase, and in most cases with a no questions guarantee.

5. CBT= Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT works by uncovering your feelings thoughts and behaviours around smoking, and through keeping a diary you become aware of where you go wrong in relation to quitting. It helps you identify the "bad thought patterns you have around smoking, and as we all know, in for you to really want to change a behaviour, you need to think or feel that it is wrong, and then change becomes almost effortless. On the other hand, if you don't think what you are doing is wrong, you probably aren't going to change it.

I as a hypnotherapist would choose NLP, Hypnosis or CBT any day over the first 2. That's because I think in order to beat the habit, you need to treat yourself mentally, not just relieve the symptoms.

However choosing a quit smoking program is a personal issue, and I wish you the best of luck choosing yours.

If you would like more help choosing your quit smoking method, please visit my website.

When quitting you should remember that you are not only fighting the nicotine addiction, but even worse, you are fighting your subconscious mind, and the power of habits.

Learn more at http://www.hypnosisblog.net

How to (Almost) Effortlessly Quit Smoking

2008-07-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Most smokers would love to easily quit smoking, actually studies have shown that more than 80% of smokers would quit if they knew of an easy way to quit smoking.

I have personally been checking out how much people are searching online for ways to quit smoking easily, and have come up with a good number of results, but this is not an article on keyword research or the like, so I will not bore you anymore than say it is rather high numbers, and around new year its actually doubling up every year.

Most materials you find online is based around why you should quit, and the benefits of quitting, and you really find a lot of great advice out there.

Every method will require some effort and willpower on your part, but the good news is there are ways that works, some better than others.

We are all different as individuals and not every method works for all people, so in order to find what works you may have to try several methods on your way to becoming a non-smoker.

As I have already mentioned there is a lot of material about why you should quit, but not much of it tells you how. Motivating you by just telling you that you are slowly killing yourself, doesn't really do the trick. Actually it just hammers through the message that you are killing yourself to your subconscious, and most people realise that what they "know" to be true, tends to be just that, TRUE

Instead of telling you how you harm yourself, you would be a lot better off if you were told how to actually quit. And I have researched a few ways that really works, and if you go to the recommended page below, you will be able to read my recommendations for ways to quit.

The programs that really work, are not really to be found for free online. unless you do a lot of research, and put the information from a lot of different sites together, plus adds some creative thinking, that way you might be able to come up with a working solution, but that is a lot of hard work, not to mention the testing afterwards.

If you ever do, please let me know via the contact page at my site, and will be happy to review it and give you my honest opinion about it.

If you are serious about becoming a non smoker, you have to adapt a different attitude towards smoking, You have to change the way you think about smoking, in order for you to effortlessly quit smoking. Becoming a "recreational" or "party" smoker will not work either, you have to decide to quit once and for all, or you will just keep the nicotine dependency you have gotten from smoking.

However I will tell you right here that getting rid of the nicotine cravings is relatively easy to do, the hard part of becoming a non-smokers is breaking the habit patterns, and start thinking and feeling differently about smoking. Do that, and you can easily become a former smoker, and stay that way for the rest of your life.

If you would like more help choosing your quit smoking method, please visit my website.

When quitting you should remember that you are not only fighting the nicotine addiction, but even worse, you are fighting your subconscious mind, and the power of habits.

Learn more at http://www.hypnosisblog.net

Teenagers find it hard to quit smoking

2008-07-18T17:13:00.000-07:00

The study, published online in the American Journal of Public Health, has found that teenagers who make a serious attempt to quit smoking are usually unsuccessful. The findings of this study are based on the data collected from 319 participants who recorded their smoking habits for 5 years.

The study reveled that out of the 319 teenagers 70% wanted to quit smoking but only 19 % were actually successful and did manage to stop smoking for more than 12 months. It was found that females were more likely to quit smoking or at least attempted to so, than the males.

Jennifer O’ Loughlin Université de Montréal and also the co-author of the study said “teenagers really want to quit smoking and there is an urgent need to implement and develop tobacco control interventions.”

The participants who took part in the 5 years study were aged 12 to 13 years when they enrolled at the beginning of the study. For the non smoker who had their first puff it took 9 months to become monthly smokers, 19 months to become weekly smoker and about 23 months to become daily smokers.

The results of the study clearly indicate that no matter how hard the teenagers try to quit smoking only a few are actually successful. According to Canadian Cancer Society, senior analyst, Rob Cunningham there is more that need to be done to help teenagers quit smoking trough legislation, programming and even taxation. He pointed out that the government need to get the situation under control and making the cigarettes costlier could encourage teenagers to stop smoking. Source

Anti-Smoking PSAs on DVDs

2008-07-18T17:11:00.000-07:00

Six major film studios have agreed to include anti-smoking public service announcements on DVDs rated G, PG, and PG-13, in an attempt to discourage children from smoking. The PSAs will be produced by the California Health and Human Services Agency, and were proposed by the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a non-profit that aims to reduce the presence of tobacco on the big screen (or, in this case, the smaller one).

The foundation also proposed an R rating for any film that depicts smoking, but was unsuccessful.

"This is a strong and responsible step on the part of the entertainment industry that will go a long way toward countering the influence of tobacco use in films," said Kim Belshe, secretary of the California Health and Human Services. "With this agreement, we will be able to promote the benefits of living tobacco-free to millions of viewers at no cost to taxpayers, while encouraging important conversations between parents and their children about the dangers of smoking."

You can expect to see these PSAs in the opening minutes of DVDs soon, or view them online here.

Smoking: how to kick the habit

2008-07-12T16:01:00.001-07:00

A year into the smoking ban, Lucy Atkins clears the air on the problems of quitting

Since Britain went smoke-free in enclosed public places 12 months ago, 400,000 people have given up. For quitters, life is likely to get better.


	Be a quitter: It isn't easy to give up smoking

Even if you have been a smoker for 30 years, your risk of heart disease halves within a year of quitting. Ten years on, the risk of lung cancer is cut in two.

Those who have tried and failed to stop smoking should take heart from the fact that on average it takes 12 or more attempts to kick the habit. Here are some ideas:

GROUP THERAPY

Smoking has been called a "communicable disease" - no one starts alone - and quitting could work the same way. The NHS runs free, local no-smoking groups (see gosmokefree.nhs.uk), but new research shows that the odds of success are even higher if you know your fellow quitters well.

Entertainment Industry Foundation Unites Major Studios and State of California for Historic Anti-Smoking Campaign

2008-07-12T16:00:00.001-07:00

LOS ANGELES, July 11, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF: 12.95, +0.03, +0.23%) announced today that the six major studios will include anti-smoking public service announcements produced by the California Health and Human Services Agency on millions of youth-rated DVDs of motion pictures that include scenes with tobacco use.

Through this campaign, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. will place California's anti-smoking public service announcements in the opening minutes of DVDs of all new movies with tobacco use that are rated G, PG and PG-13.

"This is a strong and responsible step on the part of the entertainment industry that will go a long way toward countering the influence of tobacco use in films," said Kim Belshe, California Health and Human Services Secretary. "With this agreement, we will be able to promote the benefits of living tobacco-free to millions of viewers at no cost to taxpayers, while encouraging important conversations between parents and their children about the dangers of smoking."

EIF, which has focused for several years on combating the negative effects of "glamorized" smoking in films, brought the State of California and the Hollywood studios together and handled the production details to make this first-of-its-kind initiative a reality.

"The State of California is a great partner, having produced some of the most successful anti-smoking public service announcements. California's Tobacco Control Program PSAs have helped the state achieve some of the lowest adult and teen smoking rates in the country," said EIF President and CEO Lisa Paulsen. "We're proud to have played a role in bringing the state and all the studios together."

The public service announcements will appear before the films on each DVD and can currently be seen online at http://www.TobaccoFreeCA.com.

At the end of each 30-second PSA, viewers are directed to http://www.TobaccoFreeCA.com, for information on the dangers of smoking and for help in quitting and helping others quit. Resources are available in all 50 states. The PSAs were developed by the state's Tobacco Control Program, which is operated by the California Department of Public Health, one of 12 departments in the California Health and Human Services Agency.

Through its initiative called Hollywood Unfiltered, EIF is committed to working from within the entertainment industry to reduce tobacco's negative consequences by educating members about the impact smoking has on young people and the steps they can take to make a difference. This commitment from the studios is another step in EIF's work to reduce the impact of smoking on young people. Partners in this effort include the Motion Picture Association of America, Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Directors Guild of America, International Alliance for Theatrical Stage Employees, Screen Actors Guild and Writers Guild of America.

"The Motion Picture Association of America and all six of its member companies, including Disney, Fox, Paramount, Sony, Universal, and Warner Bros. have demonstrated their collective commitment to working in partnership with organizations like the Entertainment Industry Foundation to educate our own industry about the negative effects of smoking," said MPAA Chairman and CEO Dan Glickman. "The decisions by all six major movie studios to put anti-smoking PSAs on their DVDs, coupled with the MPAA's recent decision to incorporate smoking into the rating system, demonstrate that the industry is committed to informing parents about smoking depictions in films so they can make informed decisions for their children."

Additionally, EIF and the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF), with support from the Motion Picture Industry Pension & Health Plan, operate the first ever industry-led smoking cessation program. Called Picture Quitting, this program combines free counseling with low-cost medication for people in the entertainment industry who want to quit smoking. The success rate of this custom-tailored quit smoking program is twice that of the national average (American Journal of Health Behavior).

California's Tobacco Control Program, operated by the Department of Public Health within the Health and Human Services Agency, is one of the nation's longest running and most emulated anti-tobacco programs, and is credited with helping reduce smoking in California by more than 33 percent since its inception in 1989. The statewide media campaign challenges existing social norms related to tobacco use and provides cessation resources for people who want to quit.

More information about the program can be found at http://www.TobaccoFreeCA.com.

The Entertainment Industry Foundation

The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF: 12.95, +0.03, +0.23%), as a philanthropic leader of the entertainment industry, has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars -- and provided countless volunteer hours -- to support charitable initiatives addressing critical health, education and social issues. Visit http://www.eifoundation.org and hollywoodunfiltered.org.

SOURCE The Entertainment Industry Foundation

http://www.eifoundation.org

Help to Quit Smoking is Easy With Hypnosis

2008-06-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Once you are ready to quit smoking you may be quite anxious about which method to use to quit smoking, and to make certain you won't ever smoke again. Help to quit smoking is easy with hypnosis, because you don't have to worry about all of the unpleasant side effects you would experience with traditional quit smoking methods.

You can quit smoking, lose weight, or eliminate just about any bad habit with hypnosis. The best part is you can do this at home. You listen to an audio and can kick the habit in as little as three hours with some of these audios. Also, if for some reason years later you relapse, you can just listen to the audio again.

When you are under hypnosis your concentration is heightened. As an example, let's say you are under hypnosis to touch your shoulder. You will automatically touch your shoulder without any decision on your part. You don't lose control under hypnosis, a matter of fact if you want to come out of hypnosis you can, and will.

If you are wondering if you won't be able to be hypnotized the odds are you will be able to be hypnotized. The majority of people can easily be hypnotized and it may be a matter of how deeply one will go into hypnosis, not whether you can or can't be hypnotized.

Using hypnosis has become commonplace amongst many psychologists and even dentists' have mastered the technique to help people conquer eliminating unhealthy habits that contribute to illnesses such as heart disease from smoking to TMJ (teeth grinding).

Hypnosis is safe and effective and is the easiest way to quit smoking and not gain weight as a result of quitting. Also, you don't lose consciousness during hypnosis yet you are deeply relaxed and your mind is open to suggestions, such as you don't have cravings for cigarettes any longer.

Help to quit smoking is easy with hypnosis. Learn how you can quit smoking with hypnosis from the comfort of your own home and improve your health in hours.

It's Very Difficult to Quit Smoking Cold Turkey

2008-06-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

Smoking cigarettes is extremely harmful to your health and you're ready to bite the bullet and quit the unhealthy habit once and for all. You need to determine the method you plan on taking to quit. It's very difficult to quit smoking cold turkey as it takes much strength, willpower and determination on your part.

There are many different choices available to you to help you quit smoking. Let's look at your options.

* Zyban. The generic name is bupropion. It doesn't have nicotine in it and can aid in decreasing nicotine cravings. This drug can cause insomnia and severe allergic reactions are rare. Not all people can take Zyban, for instance if you have seizures, people who take antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), or if you have an eating disorder you should avoid Zyban.

* Nicotine gum. There are two nicotine gum products available and they are Nicorette and Thrive, but there isn't a generic gum. The gum can help take care of your cigarette craving. It's not ideal for people with dental work. You should not smoke when using the gum as a quit smoking aid. May cause nausea and dizziness.

* Nicotine patch. The two patches on the market are Nicoderm CQ and Habitrol with no generic patches available. Some side effects of the patch can be, nausea, dizziness, upset stomach, itching and irritation under and around the patch, sleeping disturbances along with vivid dreams. Avoid if you have psoriasis or eczema.

* Nasal spray. It's a prescription spray by the name of Nicotrol. Side effects can be an irritated throat, sinus and nasal irritation, watery eyes, coughing and sneezing. Avoid if you have asthma or allergies. May cause nausea and dizziness if you get too much nicotine.

* Chantix prescription. May control cravings and ease some of the withdrawal symptoms. May cause nausea, behavior changes and insomnia along with a slight possible severe allergic reaction. Avoid if you have kidney problems. You may be unable to operate machinery or drive.

It's very difficult to quit smoking cold turkey and the other quit smoking methods have possible unpleasant side effects. An effective and safe option would be to try to quit smoking with hypnosis, which can be done in the privacy of your own home.

A Quit Smoking Plan That Will Work For You

2008-06-15T13:08:00.000-07:00

In my business, I have found that most people trying to quit smoking just can't stay on a program. It's difficult to change your daily routine, especially if it triggers your smoking habit. And, because of the addiction to nicotine, it's even more difficult to quit smoking. So, what can you do to finally quit smoking?

You Must Have a Date Set to Quit Smoking

Unless you actually set a real date to stop smoking, nothing will matter. Most people just keep pushing off this date and one of the reasons is they never really commit to any real date. It needs to be written down and even signed. Make it, set it and believe in it.

Get Yourself Ready

Now that your date is set (you did do that, right?) it is time to get yourself physically ready to quit smoking. Begin by getting used to drinking plenty of water. Get your sleep patterns set. Get a checkup with your physician (always a good idea) to see if there are any complications you need to address. Watch what you eat, too, and keep a healthy diet. You are doing this now, before you really begin, so that you are not doing all of this and quitting smoking at the same time!

If You Need Help... Get it!

There are local support groups, online forums... perhaps, you have a friend or relative who quit smoking for good. Refer back to these resources during your stop smoking program to keep you motivated and on track. Most people try to blaze a new trail while quitting smoking. Don't be a maverick; get help from people who have already created that path for you.

You Are On Your Way To Becoming Smoke-Free!

Before you begin, do a "search-and-destroy" mission and get rid of all cigarettes, matches, lighters and any smoking-related accouterments. (Look in drawers, coat pockets, old purses, etc., too!) Do a load of laundry to get rid of the smoking smell in your clothing. Clean out your car and spray it with a nice fabric freshener. Keep drinking your water, too, as you need to flush your system of all the toxins you have in your body by smoking. Drinking orange juice, too, has shown to reduce nicotine cravings by more than 50%!

Set your date, get yourself ready to quit smoking, find the necessary help and support you may need and be determined to succeed. You can beat this. You can quit smoking!

As an expert in smoking cessation and quit smoking programs, Barry Martin personally helped hundreds and HUNDREDS of his clients end their addiction to nicotine with cigarettes.

He has reviewed most of the TOP quit smoking programs on the Internet. To view Barry Martin's quit smoking product reviews, please visit http://www.QuitSmokingReviewsOnline.com now

Buy Nicocure - the Last Review You Need to Read

2008-06-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

If you're thinking about buying Nicocure, be sure that you are making the right decision. Many products found on the internet are huge scams, so its important to make sure what you are thinking about purchasing isn't a waste of your time or money. As of late, there has been a lot of talk about a quit-smoking pill called Nicocure. Does it actually work or is it another overly hyped internet product? In this article I'll give you the information for you to decide for yourself.

What's In Nicocure?

Only 5% of all people this year will actually quit smoking for the long term. A huge number of people attempt to quit smoking, but only a small minority actually free themselves from this addiction. This is because the physical cravings, stress, irritability, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and all the other nasty withdrawal symptoms make it extremely difficult to quit.

The herbal ingredients contained in Nicocure helps to dramatically lessen, if not remove, most of these symptoms. Lobella Extract, its main component, will help give your nervous system similar effects that smoking a cigarette would which helps to combat your cravings.

Mullein roots will help to support respiratory track health. A variety of extracts such as passion flower, ginger extract, and linden flowers will help reduce the stress your body undergoes during the withdrawal stages and will help your body to relax when it normally would be tensed. Collectively these natural components help to deal with the physical difficulties in quitting.

There are no side effects when taking Nicocure, yet there are effects only when you cheat and smoke while on this pill. Nicocure helps to clear out the passages of your lungs and when cleaned, if you have a cigarette, you'll actually become nauseous and dizzy which only promotes you from to quit smoking.

There's Always a Catch...

Although this all sounds sort of hippy-ish, surprisingly, I've only heard positive feedback from this pill. I researched user feedbacks, forums, review sites, and I've only heard people finding success with Nicocure. Many sites claim that it has helped up to 97% of its users quit for good, I highly doubt that the success rate is that high.

I can be certain that Nicocure has helped a majority of those using it who are mentally ready to quit smoking. The reason why most people can't quit, and have not seen success with Nicocure, is because they weren't mentally prepared. Quitting smoking is two headed monster, the physical and the psychological. If you are going to buy Nicocure, it will give you all the tools to deal with the physical aspect, and if your determined and focused to deal with the psychological aspect, then you'll see success.

How does Nicocure stack up with its similar competitors? Did it get blown away by Cig-Arette or CigArrest? In our article, The Nicocure Review, we compared Nicocure with these popular quit smoking solutions. We exposed some really interesting findings we uncovered when researching about the 3 products. Click on the link to find out what these findings were.

stop-smoking-by-hypnosis

stop-smoking-with-acupuncture

How to Quit Smoking With Hypnosis

2008-06-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

Smoking is a horrible addiction that affects millions of people. Most stop smoking treatments contain unnatural chemicals that many times do more harm than good. Because of this, many people are looking for all natural remedies for smoking. The good news is that now it's possible to stop smoking with hypnosis. This provides a natural solution to your smoking addiction.

The Facts - Hypnosis Helps People Stop Smoking

Hypnosis has been around for years. It works by using either visualization or positive suggestion techniques. With visualization the subject replaces smoking with something undesirable, like garbage. The other method, positive suggestion, focuses on showing people that they are not depended on cigarettes to define who they are. It focuses on other positive elements of their lifestyle like career of hobbies.

Is It Possible To Do it yourself?

It's also possible to find free stop smoking hypnosis scripts online. These are outlines that you can use for self hypnosis to help you quit smoking. It's important to note that these online scripts aren't only for people who want to stop smoking. The can be used for just about any issue such as depression. In this regard, many people use them to lose weight.

Conclusion

Hypnosis isn't for everyone. If in doubt you should consult your doctor. He'll be able to advise you on the methods to quit smoking as well as telling you if hypnosis is a better treatment for smoking then the traditional methods. He'll also be able to advise you on the success rate. Most people who have tried it will tell you that it is. Who knows? It may be right for you.

For more information on how hypnoses can help you quit smoking, please visit our Stop Smoking Hypnosis Scripts page. We are a web site that's dedicated in helping people stop smoking today.

Create Your Own Smoking Cessation Plan

2008-05-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, you can create your individualized smoking cessation plan. You do not have to write it down, but you can if you think that would help. You can choose any method that you feel would work for you. You know yourself better than any doctor. Cold turkey is one possibility, or hypnosis, or nicotine gum and nicotine patches. There are also non-nicotine alternatives, such as biomagnetic earrings and plastic cigarettes. Choose only the smoking cessation aids you know can realistically follow.

After you have chosen your method or methods, and obtained your supplies, it is time to really get down to planning. If you can find the answers to the following questions, you can succeed. Answer the questions, and choose action steps to take when these situations arise, as they will undoubtedly do.

1. What will I do about severe cravings? Will I call a friend, go for a walk, take a shower? Choose several things you think will help, and be on the lookout for other ideas.

2. What related behaviors make me want to smoke? Should I quit those behaviors? Do them in a way that will not trigger cigarette cravings?

3. Do I need a support group? If so, will it be from family, friends, or friends-yet-to-meet.

4. How will I handle my first setback? My second one? What are some ways I can get re-motivated to try again?

5. What can I do to keep my mind off smoking?

Planning ahead for cravings, setbacks, and lack of motivation is a realistic approach, and one that gives many people success. Most people do not succeed the first time they try to stop smoking. So cut yourself some slack and be prepared to trip on the road to success.

Life is going to hand you difficulties and challenges. If you have a pre-planned list of strategies to use when those times confront you, you will have a better chance at succeeding. Stay as flexible as possible. If one plan does not work, abandon it as soon as possible and try something else on your list. Keep adding to your list. Ask others for their ideas to help you add strategies to your list.

Remember that you will reap healthful benefits and will attain the smoke-free life if you keep on trying.

Denise Meyer is the webmaster of Smoke-Free Zone, where you can browse smoking cessation products such as stop smoking gum and stop smoking patches.
http://quitsmokingaidssupport.blogspot.com/2007/12/quit-smoking-symptoms.html
http://quitsmokingaidssupport.blogspot.com/2008/01/simple-quit-smoking-action-plan.html

How To Quit Smoking Cigarettes

2008-05-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

For someone that has been smoking for several years, it's not so easy to lean how to quit smoking cigarettes in a way that is going to be pain free and effective. Sure, you can try patches, nicotine gum or smoking drugs, but you just end up spending a lot of money on products that don't exactly have great success rates. There are more effective methods that will make you give up the habit for good that won't cost you much, if any, money. After all, one of the reasons you want to stop smoking may be that you realize how much money you are flushing down the toilet each week, so why use products that are just going to cost you more money?

Once of the most important things you can do before you quit smoking is to identify a problem that smoking cigarettes is causing in your life. This should be a real major problem that is so significant that it is more important for you to quit give up your habit than to continue smoking and making the situation worse. Maybe you are constantly getting sick, or maybe it is affecting an important relationship, or maybe your doctor is warning you that you are developing a severe medical condition. Whatever the reason, this should be something very major in your life that really hits home with you.

Secondly, you cannot allow yourself to cheat. Having "just one cigarette" to help you deal with a stressful situation or to "reward" yourself will not just be one cigarette. That one cigarette leads to one a week, which leads to bumming smokes off people but not buying them, which leads to buying a pack to avoid being a mooch, which makes you a smoker again.

When you do this, you have a good chance of being able to quit cold turkey, which research shows has the greatest long-term success rate. Here's a tip to help you give it up cold turkey: inhale more. Part of your habit is consistent inhaling, so satisfy that desire by inhaling more. Take more walks, do some yoga, and use spicy breath mints that make you breathe in to cool your mouth. This will help you satisfy that part of the addiction.

Learn more about how to quit smoking cigarettes and how to quit smoking cold turkey by visiting Quit Now Smoking at: http://www.quitnowsmoking.info

Quit Smoking With Hypnotherapy

2008-05-28T13:43:00.000-07:00

So what if it is actually that simple? What if your entire attitude about how difficult it is going to be to quit are totally false? What if, after one session of hypnotherapy you will find it very easy to turn into and stay a happy, non-smoker for life?

Hypnotherapy is successful because our beliefs regarding smoking as well as our usual smoking behaviors exist in our minds. So whilst we may wish to give up the habit, often our unconscious mind just will not allow us.

You see when smokers first begin; they give into years of marketing telling them that smoking gave them feelings superiority, security and more tranquility. And as a result, lighting up those few cigarettes, smokers lastingly establish this unhealthy attitude along with beliefs that quitting smoking will be an insurmountable obstacle.

At the same time, smokers make conscious choices to select those apparent "benefits" of feeling better, more comfortable and more positive over the of inhaling poisonous fumes. So as time goes by, they begin to mistake relief of nourishing that addiction with feelings of leisure and self-confidence.

So several years and tens of thousands (perhaps hundreds to thousands) of cigarettes later, they have now re-enforced those beliefs regarding smoking and how difficult it is to quit. They have trained their subconscious minds to connect the procedure of smoking a cigarette with feelings of superiority, confidence and serenity.

Hypnotherapy and NLP permit us to re-train the subconscious minds of smokers to ignore those false attitudes and beliefs about smoking, and also how hard it is to stop, while exchanging those negative thoughts for positive ones.

As a result, the all too familiar pangs of touchiness, mood swings and cravings, which are the main reasons for failure to completely and successfully quit smoking, are removed and replaced with feelings of real self-confidence with the help of hypnosis.

If you want to Quit Smoking, then call your local Hypnotherapist now. It is actually simple to quit smoking with hypnotherapy. Hypnotherapy in addition to NLP permit us to re-train the minds of smokers to ignore those false beliefs regarding smoking and the misconception that it is extremely difficult to kick the habit.

For more information about Quitting Smoking with Hypnotherapy please visit QuitSmoking21.com where you will learn valuable tips on how to and available tools and aids to help you become a healthy, successful non-smoker.

Quit Smoking - Cigarette Plan

2008-05-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's finally time to quit smoking. Cigarette addictions are not only costing your healthy, but the cost of a pack of smokes is going through the roof, and it is just too inconvenient to be a smoker now. Many major cities have already placed a ban on smoking in restaurants, bars, and even near building entrances, and other cities are starting to catch on. As a result, when you want to have a smoke, you have to leave your beer behind and bundle up in the cold and the rain, as you go to a secluded area that looks like a bunch of disease ridden people being exiled.

The first step to quit smoking is to set a date. It's important to strategically pick a day and time of the year that will be low stress, yet busy. By setting a date in advance, you actually put it on your calendar and mentally prepare yourself to become a nonsmoker. You start to think what it will be like to finally be smoke free, and visualize yourself as a nonsmoker.

Secondly, by setting a day in advance, you'll start to tell family, friends and colleagues about your plan. When you start to tell others about your plan, you set expectations for yourself, and other people start to hold expectations for you. As a result there is some pressure to not let yourself down and not to disappoint other people. Plus you get social support, which is important.

The second thing you must do is identify the main reason you want to quit. Not just a generic, "I want to get healthy" kind of reason. You need something that is very concrete and really hits you hard when you think about it. Maybe you are deeply in debt and need to start saving money in order to get out of debt. Maybe a close relative or friend recently passed away from lung cancer, or maybe you realized that you are having a hard time developing intimate relationships because of your addiction.

Once you identify a real pain point, something that really makes you cringe when you think about it, you have something that will carry you through any discomfort you may feel when you kick he habit. This desire will be so compelling that you could not possibly ever light up another cigarette in order to solve this problem and reach your goal.

Now is the time to quit smoking. Cigarette smoking is only becoming more expensive, more inconvenient, and more of a turn off. Set a specific date, tell everyone about your plan to change your life for good, and think about the real reason why you need to quit. When you do this, giving up your habit cold turkey will be much easier than you imagined.

Enroll in the free quit smoking cigarette eCourse, and learn how to quit smoking naturally without the use of any supplements or drugs. Go visit this site now: http://www.quitnowsmoking.info

Stop Smoking By Hypnosis

2008-05-24T12:32:00.000-07:00

Like most people, you've probably tried at some point to stop smoking. And like most people you'll have had a variety of reasons for wanting to do so:

You realized the amount of money you spend a week on your habit
You just redecorated and don't want to ruin it with nicotine
You are worried about the long term health risks attributed to smoking
You are all grown up and it's no longer cool to smoke!

So what do you have in common with millions of other smokers around the world?

You tried to quit, and you failed miserably!

First things first, it's not your fault. An estimated 17 million people try to quit each year, many of whom are still smoking a year later.

So What Makes Quitting So Hard?

In a word, nicotine.

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known to man. Yes, you read that right. If we compare nicotine to cocaine, we find that cocaine has an addiction rate of 75-80%, and nicotine ranks just behind it at 60-70%. Looking at these figures, is it any wonder it's hard to quit?

What About Nicotine Patches, Gum, Inhalators etc?

There is no doubt that these products have their place in helping you to stop smoking. However, there are a couple of concerns:

You can become addicted to these products! It stands to reason that because the majority of these products still contain nicotine, you run the risk of becoming addicted to the products themselves.
They are generally expensive. Some of these products cost more than smoking! If money is your main concern, you are going to be less likely to try these products in the first place.

What Happens When We Get Addicted?

Simply, we enjoy pleasure. Whenever something pleasurable happens to us, our brain pays attention. Slowly but surely our brain sends us signals that we would like more pleasure. Nothing wrong with that. Why wouldn't we want more pleasure in our lives. Unfortunately, in the case of nicotine, our body finds nicotine extremely pleasurable. We become relaxed, it helps us destress after a hard day at work. And herein lies the problem.

Let us take for example stress. When we became stressed, we lit a cigarette and in doing so, we found that we began to feel calmer. Our brain takes note of this fact so that the next time we feel stressed, it'll know what to do. It becomes a crutch. When we couple the pleasurable effects that smoking has with it's addictive properties, it becomes very VERY difficult to try to disassociate what our brains have learnt over what could be many years.

Now if you've tried to stop smoking before, you'll know that as soon as we become stressed we begin to think about cigarettes, and the more we try to not think about having a smoke, the more we do think about it!

Eventually we think to ourselves, "I'm going though a really stressful time, I'll just have one cigarette". And right there is the beginning of failure. One cigarette is enough to tell your brain that all it needs to do is tell you the next time you get stressed you can just have "one" cigarette, it'll be ok.

So What Can I Do?

In essence, what we want to do is find a way of removing the strong association to pleasure that smoking provides. By far the most effective way of doing this is with hypnosis. If your only experience with hypnosis was by watching a TV program, you may be mistaken for thinking that it's only used for making people do silly things!

However, therapeutic hypnosis is completely different from stage hypnosis. Using hypnosis, we are able to bypass your conscious mind (that part of us that we are aware of), and talk directly to the subconscious part of your brain. It's this part of your brain that controls cravings. In our day to day living, we don't have access to this part of our brain, and so although we can think we want to stop, our subconscious may not! And folks, if your subconscious doesn't want to quit smoking, it won't matter how hard you try, it won't happen.

You may have heard of people who were able to give up smoking "cold turkey", and they found it easy. That people is the power of having your subconscious mind working with you.

So by working with the subconscious under hypnosis, we are able to change the way it thinks about smoking and in doing so, you'll begin to find that giving up gets easier. You won't crave for a smoke when you become stressed, in fact under ideal conditions, you won't actually think about a cigarette full stop. Ever!

It's never too late to stop smoking.

Are you ready to take the first step towards a new healthier life for yourself? If so, good for you!

To take that first step click here.

Believe in yourself, with the right help you CAN do it.

My Goodbye Letter To Cigarettes

2008-05-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

Dear Cigarettes,

We've been together for a long time, 13 years off and on I'd say. It's been a love - hate relationship. I know, I know, We've had some good times. I remember when we first met; my roommate introduced us. I noticed how you were always there for him, especially at stressful times. I was envious. I thought you were the friend I'd been missing. I thought I needed someone with me for the tough times. So, I started getting to know you. The funny thing is I didn't like you much at first. You gave me a headache. I vowed to never get with you on a permanent basis. So much for that vow, before I knew it you'd won me over. I became a smoker. And it was good....for about 2 seconds.

The way I see it, this relationship is a sucker's deal. It's all bad on my end. Oh sure, I pay out the ash for you, but what do I get in return? Nothing! Oh I forgot, I get to age faster, I get yellow teeth, my clothes stink, my lungs clog, my sinuses congest, my wallet's lighter, my wife complains and my son ask sensitive grown-up questions he shouldn't have to ask. You aren't any good for me. So I've made a big decision honey. Oh Yes, it's come to this....

I quit you! Don't look at me like that. Stay over there. Get your hand off my knee. I'm serious! I mean it. I need to show my son that his dad can kick this stupid habit. I'm tired of smelling like an ashtray. I'm tired of stinking up the house with you, fidgeting on long-drives, having to excuse myself during family-time just to spend time with you. You're not worth it. It's disgusting what I've let you turn me into. I'm better than that. Besides; some friend you are?!? You're killing me!

Okay, okay, the last couple of days without you have been a battle, but it's a battle I'm going to win. I'm in this for the long haul. There will be no taking you back. How do I feel? Baby, I feel good, real good. Smell this shirt. What do you smell? Cologne. Not smoke! See, I feel free and no matter how much you urge and beg I'm never going back to you. You've stole enough from me: My Health, My Money and most of all My Time. Good riddance, Butt Head! It's over. You're history!

Signed:

Timothy Crawford - A Non-Smoker

Timothy Crawford is a professional copywriter, consultant, inspirational speaker, writer and all around creative media guru. For more tips visit his website at: (http://www.timothycrawford.com)For marketing and advertising book reviews go to: http://www.squidoo.com/ADGameBooksFor my advertising, marketing and copywriting blog go to: http://www.timothycrawford.com/blog

Smoking And Its Effect On Ear Infection. Smoking also affects our ears, and can cause ear infection called Otitis Media

2008-05-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

It is common knowledge that smoking has numerous bad effects, both to the smoker and non-smoker who is able to inhale second-degree smoke. More familiar are lung cancer, emphysema and heart failure. However, it is not well known that smoking also affects our ears, and can cause ear infection called Otitis Media.

This ear infection is actually quite common to children. When a child has a virus or a cold, there is a thickening of the mucus on the nose that becomes home to bacteria. The bacteria could travel to the ear canal through the Eustachian tube in the nose. This bacteria could then very well turn into an infection which shows symptoms of fever, fluid on the ear, and earache after a few days. On the average, children experience this 3 times before the age of six. However, if the child is exposed to smoke, say from smoking parents, the average occurrence increases to 8.

Now, how does smoking cause the said infection?

As we are all familiar of, smoke is an irritant to our nasal passage. Since our body is equipped with defense mechanisms, our nasal passage will thicken with mucus in the presence of irritants. As mentioned above, thickened mucus becomes a favorable home to bacteria that could travel and infect our ears. Thus the Otitis Media is triggered by the protective action of our body against cigarette smoke.

Aside from thickening our mucus, cigarette smoke also weakens the immune system. Numerous researches have proven that exposure to smoke makes the body more susceptible to diseases. Also proven is that this is true not only for actual smokers, but for those who are exposed to exhaled smoke. Thus, even if children, or adults for the matter, do not smoke but are exposed to second-hand smoke, their immune system are still weakened, making it harder to fight off infections.

Now, it is not just the pain and discomfort that this ear infection brings that we must be wary of. Repeated Otitis Media could actually cause gradual loss of hearing to the child. Although this is rare, this is not something that we should risk.

Therefore, for all smokers out there, it important that if you cannot stop smoking, at least try to avoid smoking around children. Ear infections may be less evil than lung cancer or emphysema, but since it is children that we are talking about, even the smallest infection should be given much importance.

Smoking really stinks ! Visit NaturalStopSmoking.net and learn how to stop smoking naturally, get stop smoking tips, and find ways to stop smoking such as stop smoking self hypnosis or safe and effective herbal stop smoking aids

Smoking is a dangerous habit. Kicking The Smoking Habit Naturally

2008-05-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

Smoking is a dangerous habit. There are very natural ways to help kick the smoking habit. Curbing your nicotine cravings can be difficult but nature is the best way to go. Planning, cleaning and supporting your body can get you on the right path! Though many Americans understand the risks of smoking they choose to do it anyway. Nicotine is an addictive drug so powerful that even heroin addicts admit that smoking is harder to quit. Despite the 80% who want to quit they can't drop the habit.

There are 1/3^rd of pancreatic carcinoma cases that are due to cigarettes as is most lung cancers. Risk of lung Cancer is greatly elevated depending on the amount and when one started smoking; Smokers have a 5 in 10 chance of getting lung cancer over non-smokers.

Though we don't know a lot about SID or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome it is a little known fact that children with smokers in the house have a much higher chance of dying from it!

Other complications of living with smokers consist of:

Asthma
Bronchitis
Colds
Ear infection
Damaged lung development
Reduced lung functions

Smokers have deficiencies in vitamins such as:

Vitamin C
Zinc
Vitamin A
and Folic Acid

Though there are many negatives to smoking people find it difficult to stop anyway so let's look at a few ways to kick the habit without using any over the counter medications or unhealthy means:

Analyze your smoking habits figure out when and why you need each cigarette
Avoid being around others who smoke
Learn some deep breathing Exercises- stress is a big factor in getting the urge to smoke
Detoxify the liver- The liver holds many toxins and detoxifying can curb the crave for nicotine

Detoxifying your body can be an incredible help. The Liver is a meet up place for all the bad addictions of the day. Finding a way to naturally clean out your liver will possibly save you a lot of disappointment. Below are some things to help you clean out your as well as other areas of your body!

Echinacea- Cleans the nicotine from lymph system and lungs
Taking Vitamin C will help catch the toxins throughout your body. Taking 1000mg of Vitamin C 4 times a day.
Primrose Oils
Sun wellness Chlorella tabs
Glutamine

These products if taken properly will flush all the toxins through your intestinal tract. Do not eat a lot of junk this will make the craving worse.

A few good Herbs to try in your battle with cravings nicotine or sugar are:

Ginseng
Magnesium
potassium
Calcium
and Zinc

Taking other vitamins such as B-complex can only provide more positive results to your quest to quit! Quitting although not an easy task can be accomplished if you set your mind to it and using home remedies can improve your body! Finding the right combination can be difficult at first but definitely worth it when you get it down right!

Darren Williger is an over-caffeinated, low carbohydrate eating, winemaking enthusiast who writes for SmokersWebsite.com, DifferentMedicine.com, and RemedyZone.Com.

Electronic Cigarettes - Smoke In Bars, Restaurants, And Even At Work

2008-05-19T12:53:00.001-07:00

A new form of cigarette is currently hitting the market in a big way. It is called the electronic cigarette and it offers to effectively simulate the smoking experience, while being healthier and cheaper than regular cigarettes, and perhaps most importantly, completely legal to smoke anywhere you want, including bars and restaurants, the workplace, even on airplanes.

Electronic cigarettes look, feel, and taste like regular cigarettes but function quite differently. They are driven by a small rechargeable battery, and a unique, safe replaceable cartridge containing water, propylene glycol, a scent that emulates the flavor of tobacco, and nicotine. Which means that they are a great way to get your nicotine fix while avoiding all of the cancer causing agents found in traditional cigarettes.

The refillable cartridges come in a variety of nicotine strengths, ranging from full to medium to none, and while electronic cigarettes are not smoking cessation devices per se, the range of nicotine strengths offers some obvious potential as an aid in the fight to quit smoking.

When using electronic cigarettes, the act of inhaling or smoking it produces the tactile sensation and craving satisfactions that smokers seek. When you take a drag from the cigarette, you trigger a vaporizing process that releases a simulated smoke, which is actually a water vapor, which then harmlessly evaporates into the air within a few seconds.

There are a number of companies currently offering electronic cigarettes however one should be aware of the lower priced products out there because electronic cigarettes can range in quality somewhat. While all of the e-cigarettes that I am aware of are manufactured in China, the higher end products are manufactured in American managed plants, and e-cigarettes from such companies typically experience far fewer problems.

Electronic Cigarettes are rapidly catching on both with smokers concerned with the health risks related to Tobacco as well as smokers who simply want to be able to get their nicotine fix in places where traditional smoking is frowned upon.

Watch a video of an Electronic Cigarette in action at http://NjoyCigarettes.com

Ready for a smoke free life? Learn more about Smokeless Cigarettes

Quitting Smoking Can Be Dangerous?

2008-05-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Everyone Knows just how harmful smoking and other tobacco products can be. They can all be credited with cancer and many other health problems. What you probably don't know though is that some of the drugs on the market aimed at helping the smoker quit can be just as dangerous! Yes it's true. Some of you might already be aware of this. The FDA has issued a public health advisory to both the health care professionals and consumers of these products.

A new prescription product called chantix is the main target of this alert. They are now linking this "helpful" drug to serious problems such as neuropsychiatric symptoms! They are now rushing to get proper warnings out about this drug with disclaimers on the pamphlet and the bottle itself. That's just so helpful isn't it? The FDA finds serious risks and chooses not to take it off the market and cut profits, but rather just put a little warning on the label.

Some of the other popular ways of quitting are nicotine replacement such as the path or nicotine gum. These all are stimulants just like the nicotine you would smoke or chew. They are designed to help you slowly lose the need for nicotine. Does anybody see a possible addiction there? You have been smoking for a long time now, and just switching the form of nicotine that enters your body. Are you going to be ok with putting down the cigarettes? Maybe so, but what about the patch or the gum?

I'm not trying to discourage any of you out there to quit smoking! Obviously it's a great thing to do anyway you can. I just want you all to be educated before you choose how you wish to kick the habit. There are safer ways than what are common and are actually much easier even. I have more information on this topic and offer a 100 percent safe alternative to help you kick the habit easily.

James Tomshay has more to offer on this topic here:
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Quit Smoking - Why Is It So Hard To Quit?

2008-05-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

I want to be truthful first; I really feel that I am fully qualified to write this. Yes I am one of those annoying ex-smoker's who want to shout it from the rooftop I AM A NON-SMOKER.

Okay, so far it's been 3 months 9 days and counting, but I am determined to never smoke again. Visiting a Cancer hospice can really help to bring the truth home.

What I would like to share with you is. I know it's what everybody says: If I can do it, so can you! I smoked for 30 odd years. That little stick became my best friend. Somehow you were never alone with a cigarette, standing in line, just light up! Shocking to say if I was having a coffee and had to choose between a sandwich or my cigarette, guess which one won?

The problem with smoking is that the addiction is so strong regardless of your mood. Happy: you feel congratulated with a puff. Sad: That cigarette consoles you.

We all know it's the nicotine that is the addictive drug, but it is the added chemicals that are doing the damage to our bodies. By giving up there is also the wonderful reassurance that the damage done can start to repair along the years.

Personally when I was smoking I convinced myself that: well I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, why give up? Shockingly this is a common ruse by smokers! However I did sometimes get a panic attack if I stopped to add up how much it was all costing me. Now I'm smoke free at least I can afford a gallon of fuel!!

What helped me was firstly coming to terms with the fact that the smokers cough I had, really was not that pleasant, especially when you see others dying from the dreaded weed.

So once the decision was made, I used the nicotine patches, the gum, the inhalers, lots and lots of candy, cutting up white straws and sticking those in my mouth. The biggest motive was looking at my family and being supported by them while they suffered my many mood swings of desperation.

It took me about 4 months to be totally free and was certainly the best decision I ever made.

Please if you are considering giving up, try it, if you fail so what, next time round you will know what to do.

If I can you can. Save the money you would have spent, I still do and it's great to have extra cash to spend. Good luck, join me.

I hope this article was helpful to you. For a wider range of medical conditions please take a look at our website, where we can offer advice and information to keep you healthy and fit. http://www.mikelyall.com

Stop Smoking With Acupuncture

2008-05-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

Acupuncture is not a new method for relieving pain, stress or even to stop smoking. Acupuncture is a Chinese medical practice that is ancient. It is thought that acupuncture has actually been around for 3000 plus years. It has only recently been used for quitting smoking though and the results are amazing. Acupuncture is the act of using needles that are very thin into specific spots on your body that relieves pain, stress, fatigue and helps people to stop smoking.

Acupuncture is a great way to stop smoking and to help you beat the addiction. You cannot administer acupuncture to yourself, you will need to see a qualified acupuncture administer and for this you will probably have to pay. You may be able to get a few sessions prescribed from your doctor, but the likelihood of having to pay for the sessions yourself are high.

Acupuncture will only work if you are committed to quitting smoking. It isn't some magical voodoo that makes you quit smoking instantly, and you will probably have to have quite a few sessions to feel the full benefit.

The acupuncture doesn't make you quit, you will have to do that yourself. The acupuncture for quitting smoking actually focuses on the after effects of quitting smoking. It helps to alleviate the symptoms, the cravings, and the desire to smoke again amongst other things.

The acupuncture will also help you to relax, it will help you to de-stress and many other things that are associated with smoking and quitting. You will be able to relax easily therefore not needing the cigarettes. Acupuncture can also help your body to Detox and release all the toxins within your body because of smoking.

Do you know quitting smoking is very easy, knowing how to quit it. It's just your mental thinking that is stopping you to stop smoking. There is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy available using which you can easily stop smoking without any side effects. To know more, visit Easy Quit System.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dhruv_Patel

Important Reasons To Quit Smoking

2008-05-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

The reasons to quit smoking are numerous, and can be seen on a daily basis. On the other hand, several smokers do not find any effective reasons to quit smoking cigarettes. Aside from the obvious risk of lung cancer, stroke and heart attacks there are other medical reasons to quit smoking. If improving your own health doesn't give you enough reasons to quit smoking, it may be interesting to note how smoking has an impact on those around you. The impact on the health of the children in a household where there is a smoker is evident and should be a consideration when looking at reasons to quit smoking. There are other reasons to quit smoking and some of these include just the monetary aspect of smoking.

If you smoke, you are more likely to wrinkle at an earlier age and have deeper wrinkles. You are more likely to become impotent or have difficulty in maintaining an erection when you reach middle age. You are almost four times as likely to develop cervical cancer compared with nonsmokers. You are three times more likely to get middle ear infections than nonsmokers. You are also more likely to snore, which your partners are sure to find anti-social.

Smoking accelerates the hardening and narrowing process in your arteries: it starts earlier and blood clots are two to four times more for those that smoke. A single cigarette can reduce the blood supply to your skin for over an hour. The blood vessels in the eye are sensitive and can be easily damaged by smoke, causing a bloodshot appearance and itchiness. Smoking damages blood vessels, inhibiting blood flow.

Lungs that are constantly irritated by tobacco smoke often start producing too much mucus, which narrows the breathing passages and makes it harder to breathe. This can lead to an uncontrollable cough (so common its easily recognizable as smokers cough), and other breathing problems as the lungs struggle to cope with all the chemicals in tobacco smoke. Your lungs are filling with icky black tar; your heart is working harder to pump blood around your body. Besides doing damage to the lungs that can lead to cancer, smoking hurts the lung's fragile tissues in other ways.

Cigarettes contain more than 4000 chemical compounds and at least 400 toxic substances. Cigarettes have dozens of cancer causing chemicals in each one. As a smoker you are more likely to develop over 14 different types of cancer, and damage nearly every part of your body. Nicotine is addictive and increases cholesterol levels in your body. Nicotine and toxins in tobacco kill nerve endings around the mouth and nose, reducing your ability to taste and smell. Nicotine is more addictive than heroine or cocaine.

Health benefits of quitting smoking are unlimited. The health benefits of quitting begin 20-minutes after your last puff, and once you quit smoking, you can immediately feel the health benefits of your decision within 24 hours, which could lead you to be free from smoking cigarettes forever!

Find out how to quit smoking at http://www.squidoo.com/easyquit4u

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Ryals

Why Most People Can't Quit Smoking

2008-05-10T14:51:00.000-07:00

There is probably one reason over all others why most people can't quit smoking. It is simple, straight-forward and blindingly obvious, yet most smokers don't even realize that they are putting this massive obstacle in their way. If you tried to do anything else starting out with this mindset, you would realize that you would fail before you start too, but with smokers, they just cannot see the wood for the trees.

So what is it that makes it so difficult for most smokers to quit? Why is it that most people can't quit smoking? The short answer is mindset.

When most people try to quit smoking, they start out with the opinion that what they are about to do is going to be; difficult, overwhelming, a loss and a struggle, likely to fail and most importantly, never fully achieved because they won't ever know if they have really overcome cigarettes.

Well because smokers start out by thinking quitting smoking is going to be difficult, overwhelming and likely to fail and all the rest of that negative jazz, guess what? It is! And that is why most people can't quit smoking.

The trouble for smokers is that you have been taught that quitting smoking is going to be difficult, near impossible and the cravings are almost insurmountable. The thing is, everyone (and I mean everyone) who has been telling you that is lying! It isn't difficult if you set out on your project with the right frame of mind.

Let me put that into perspective for you. As I am writing this article, I am taking a break from putting some decking into my back yard. I have never installed decking and I haven't read any books about it but I do have an extremely talented brother who is able to do just about anything he puts his mind to when it comes to stuff like decking, plastering, bricklaying, engineering - you name it!

The next bit is where I come in. This is important because you have to analyse yourself a little!

I know I will make several mistakes if I try to install the decking myself and that will lead to extra costs. So, I have asked my brother to help me with what to get and how to do it. Nothing too detailed nor anything too difficult - for either him to explain or me to understand!

I know the decking is not finished yet but that is the point of what I am explaining. It is two-fold:

Firstly, I recognise that I need advice so I have got some from someone who knows better than me; my brother.

Secondly, I have no doubt that the decking will be successfully installed and regularly enjoy imagining the decking in situ, as it will be in a few days time, and this gives me the confidence to do the work without fear of failure.

(Note that I had to do the recognizing that I need to be advised and that I must obtain the advice - it won't knock on my door! Also note that I enjoy imagining the future - I don't dread the future with decking in my back yard!)

When it comes to quitting smoking 'cold turkey' the real thing that marks out the people who succeed from the people who fail is that the success stories are people who genuinely decided to cut cigarettes out of their lives.

These people 'decide' to quit smoking rather than deciding to 'try' to quit smoking. That is what makes them a success and this is one of the main reasons why most people can't quit smoking - because they don't decide to quit, they decide to have another go, expecting failure and secretly hoping for it!

People who successfully quit cold turkey decide to quit and they focus on the future when they are quit with a sense of enjoyment, not fear or foreboding. You should do the same when you decide to quit smoking, otherwise, you will probably fail again!

Finally, if you want to improve your chances of quitting smoking, why not get some help? You don't need patches or gum or chantix or zyban or hypnosis or laser therapy or acupuncture or magnets or lord knows what else, you just need to have the right frame of mind.

Wouldn't it be easier to quit smoking if you just didn't want to smoke? With the EasyQuit System, you don't need willpower or effort to quit. Available only online at http://easyquitsystem.net with a full 8 week money back guarantee.

How To Quit Smoking For Real

2008-05-07T13:11:00.000-07:00

tagged: how to quit smoking for real, quit smoking, smoke, nicotine, tobacco, cigarette, health
If there is ever a desire so strong as staying alive in the hearts of some people, it is that of knowing how to quit smoking for real. Smoking is bad for you, your heath and greatly exposes those around you to risk.

1. NRT-Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
This is a systematic and partial withdrawal process from smoking. Here, the smoker continues to take nicotine howbeit in smaller doses over a protracted period of time till the body system is able to override and completely flush out every trace of nicotine and addiction in the blood system and the body cells.

Such materials employed in this NRT process for smokers to quit smoking are- Nicotine gum- this is similar to a bubble gum, the difference being that it contains reduced dose of nicotine.

Nicotine patch- this is similar to an elastoplasts/ plaster, which the smoker places /pastes on the body. A gradual release of a small dose of nicotine into the bloodstream is achieved.

Nicotine inhaler- this is similar to an inhaler for people having cold or flu symptoms such as catarrh. It is inserted into the nostrils at intervals. It serves to release a small dose of nicotine into the bloodstream too. Nicotine Lozenge/ Sweet- this is similar to a sweet or candy that you lick in your mouth. It is another form of release of small dose of nicotine into the bloodstream.

2. IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL-
This is putting an abrupt stop to smoking. Here, the smoker does not go through a gradual process of withdrawal as in the NRT method. The smoker quits smoking by not only stopping smoking another stick of cigarette (or tobacco related products), the smoker does not take in any "small dose" nicotine replacement substitute.

Of course it should be expected that smokers adopting this option will suffer withdrawal symptoms following from the life of addiction lived prior to quitting now. One of many ways in weathering the craving and the urge to reach out for a puff or a cigarette is to breathe in and out for the next couple of minutes- say 5 minutes or more. The craving has been found to subside after this exercise.
Learning how to quit smoking is good, it is equally good to actually put this into action and quit smoking for real.
for additional information and resources, visit http://how-to-quit-smoking-for-real.blogspot.com

So how do you get yourself to quit smoking?

2008-05-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

You have finally decided that you want to quit smoking. You may have been a big smoker for a long time and have no idea where to start. So how do you get yourself to quit smoking?

Family

Think about the ones that love you. Wouldn't they have a great gift in you just being there for them? You might not think that your family needs you, but they really do need you in their lives. Thinking of this will help you to stay on top of your motivation to quit smoking.

Your Health

You need to think about your own health. This may seem like something that you would want to think about, but the fact is that not that many people really do when they have been smoking a long time. You want to make sure that you live a good and happy life and smoking is really not going to help you with that.

Your Life

Is there something that you like to do in your life? You may have something in your life that moves you and makes you happy. This is something that should help you stay away from smoking because you can do this instead of smoking at all.

There are many reasons that you will need to stop smoking, and many reasons that you can keep going in your nonsmoking life. You just have to find them for you and your situation so that you can lead a good and productive life without cigarettes. Trust me when you do you will feel and look a lot better.
Select any of the links provided to quit smoking today - guaranteed.
Learn How To Quit Smoking Today
Turn off your desire to smoke cigarettes Stop smoking without cravings
Start today and kick those evil cancer sticks out of your life for good.
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The laser treatment for smokers is simple and based largely on scientific methods

2008-05-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

The longer you are into the habit of smoking, the harder it will be for you to quit. Even if you are aware of the dangers that this habit has, being addicted to it prevents you from getting rid of smoking. If you want to stop smoking yet you can't resist the temptation, you require treatment. There are various methods of treatments for nicotine addicts; and one of these is applied through laser treatment. This variation of laser treatment for addicted smokers is an innovative way of curing nicotine addiction. If you want an effective method of quitting smoking, this treatment is definitely the answer. However, you have to remember that this is quite costly.

The laser treatment for smokers is simple and based largely on scientific methods. Furthermore, it is considered as natural and is not painful. When you want to stop smoking, you can just opt for this quick alternative. The meridian points all throughout your body are applied with the beams of the laser. These meridian points include the ears, nose, forearm, wrist, and hands. These areas of your body are activated for endorphin release. You do not need to worry about radiation, since this treatment only requires low intensity laser beams. When you go through this treatment, you will be able to relax. What is more, you will be able to resist the urge to smoke.

It is not hard to comprehend why laser treatment to help you quit smoking possesses positive results. The efficiency rate of this treatment ranges from 64 percent to 90 percent. With the low intensity of the laser, you are guaranteed that you are not in any kind of danger. The therapy is performed according to 3 steps. The most usual duration takes up to twenty to thirty minutes, depending upon the condition of the smoker.

The initial step of the procedure requires laser activation to your meridian points. The result of this step decreases your body's dependency on nicotine. The second step calls for the control of your appetite points. This results to the prevention of excess gaining of weight once you stop smoking. Lastly, the third step calls for the stimulation of your relaxation points. This leads to the letting go of endorphins. The latter comes from your pituitary gland. It functions by removing the distress which is due to your withdrawal to nicotine.

There are advantages and disadvantages to laser treatment. One of the benefits that you can get from it is the great opportunity for you to liberate yourself from nicotine addiction. Second, this treatment does not have side effects compared with other types of withdrawal medications. The disadvantage of the laser treatment is its cost. But if you want an effective method to help you stop smoking, money should not be a question. If you opt for other therapies, those which are relatively cheaper, you are not sure when you will be able to stop your habit. Who knows you might have developed a disease because it has taken you a long time to quit. But with laser treatment to help you quit smoking, you will be able to kick off the habit without much problem.

For more information and advice on how to stop smoking please visit http://stopssmokingplan.info

StoP SmoK-inG Reason - Do You Need One?

2008-02-12T13:41:00.002-08:00

Tagged: stop smoking reason, stop smoking, quit smoking

Smokers are bombarded with warnings about smoking being bad for their health. We all know that smoking is bad for us but what are the real benefits from quitting? What are the reasons to stop smoking once and for all?

Stop Smoking Reason #1: Increase your life expectancy

Smokers who stop before about 35-40 years of age have been found to pretty much not suffer from shortened life span. That is to say, there is a negligible change in the life expectancy of people who have never smoked and people who have smoked to the start of their middle age.

That is not to say that it is OK for you to smoke until you are 35, far from it. There are many reasons why you should not and the numbers are just statistics - they hide the fact that real lives are affected by smoking at any age. Smoking related diseases are found in people in their 20s!

It has been noted that for every year past the age range of 35-40, smokers who continue to smoke, tend to see a reduction in life expectancy of 3 months. So if you smoke from the age of 40 to 50, you might expect to have shortened your life by about two and a half years - on average. You may also contract cancer during those ten years too!

Stop Smoking Reason #2: Reduce your risk of cancer

Smokers run a substantially higher risk of contracting cancer than non-smokers. This risk subsides after quitting smoking.

About a third of all cancer in Europe and North America is found in people who smoked. This is disproportionately high when compared to the fact that only about a quarter of the population smoke.

Smokers are particularly susceptible to lung cancer and around 90% of all lung cancer is found in smokers. This is not surprising when you consider that tobacco smoke contains over 30 known carcinogens including benzene, nitrosamines and polonium-210 (a radioactive metal)

Stop Smoking Reason #3: Reduce your risk of heart disease

Smokers have a higher risk of suffering from high blood pressure and are more likely to see plaque formation in their arteries. This elevated blood pressure and narrowing of their arteries means that a smoker's heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body. The result is that their hearts are more likely to become enlarged from this excessive workload and they are more likely to suffer a heart attack.

Notwithstanding the elevated risk that smokers run, your risk of heart disease is also largely dependent upon diet and fitness. Smokers become more breathless more easily and find it harder to exercise so their general fitness levels tend to be lower than that of non-smokers. The net result is not only to smokers elevate their risk of heart disease from smoking, but their lifestyles are generally compromised to the same effect.

Stop Smoking Reason #4: Reduce your risk of suffering a stroke

Smokers run a considerably higher risk of suffering from a stroke than non-smokers and suffering from a stroke is one of the four main causes of death in smokers.

A stroke is often survivable but it will leave you incapacitated as a result. The stroke victim will often lose the ability to speak, control their movement or control their bowels. It is not uncommon for stroke victims to be completely dependent upon their loved ones for care.

The quality of life people experienced in the aftermath of a stroke (if they survive it) is seriously compromised.

Stop Smoking Reason #5: Reduce your risk of living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Smokers often worry about lung cancer but the damage that tobacco smoke does to the lungs is considerable in other ways.

Every puff of smoke damages cells and tissue in the lungs, irritating the linings of the lung to cause bronchitis (swelling of the bronchii) that also causes increased levels of mucus. This gives smokers their familiar smoker's coughs and wheezing, rattling chests.

Another disastrous disease is emphysema, where a smoker's lungs loose their natural elasticity and the smoker becomes unable to breath properly. Emphysema leads to hyperinflation of the lungs. This means that the lungs are nearly fully inflated when you are trying to breath in. The obvious result of this is that you are unable to take large breaths of air and the air that is in your lungs becomes stagnant.

Emphysema sufferers become completely incapacitated, loosing the ability to even walk up stairs or in very severe cases, they become completely bed-ridden. Death comes in the form of complete lung failure and effective suffocation.

Stop Smoking Reason #6: You will become happier!

Research has found that over three quarters of smokers wish they had never started or say if they had their time again, they would not have started. The main stop smoking reasons given were health effects, expense, addiction and the stigma of smoking.

Studies have found that ex-smokers report a higher level of happiness and self-esteem. Successfully stopping smoking gives smokers a sense of achievement and improved sense of self-worth, making then generally happier, more confident people.

Tom Dainty is a Quit Smoking Therapist and author of The Quit Smoking Bible, a cognitive behavioural therapy approach to quitting smoking.

Cigar-Ette Review - Need Help to Quit SmoKing?

2008-02-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

Tagged: quit smoking, stop smoking, stop smoking treatments, stop smoking help, quit smoking help

All smokers know that one of the hardest things to do in life is to quit smoking. Few smokers manage to go a couple of days without lighting at least one, and fewer manage to refrain from smoking for a longer period. It doesn't have to be stated that only a very small number of people manage to quit smoking for good. This Cig-Arette information article describes one of the few available means of really quitting smoking.

Cig-Arette Benefits

Many have tried to quit smoking and ultimately failed. The Cig-Arette system is a natural way to help smokers quit, even if their habit has lasted many years, and not start smoking again.

Cig-Arette helps with the many disadvantages of smoking such as:

- Decreased physical endurance

- Decreased sexual function and pleasure

- Loss of smell and taste

- Loss of skin tone

- Increased risk of cancer and heart failure

- Teeth and skin stains

- Bad breath.

Prescription products such as nicotine replacements have been developed, but the all-natural products sector has not really evolved at the right speed. Nicotine and nicotine replacements are harmful for the human body regardless of the source, whether cigarettes or nicotine patches.

The Cig-Arette system is nicotine-free and completely natural, using herbs long known for their benefits. The system is comprised of 4 formulas with different ingredients.

The first and third formulas contain system relaxants and balancers which help calm the body during the nicotine withdrawal process, including:

Lobelia powder (leaves and stems); Licorice root powder; Passion Flower powder (leaves and stems); Sarsaparilla Root powder; Eleuthero Root powder; Echinacea Purpurea powder; Elderberry Flower extract; Ginger Root powder; Barley Grass powder (leaves); Bayberry Root powder; Cayenne Pepper (dried fruit); Lemon Grass powder (leaves); Peppermint powder (leaves); Safflower powder (flower); Bioperine powder (dried fruit) and Piper Longum powder (dried fruit).

The second Cig-Arette formula contains ingredients that impact help brain, lungs, airways, organs, and glands affected by smoke toxins. These ingredients reduce stress and nourish the body:

Burdock Root powder; Barley Grass powder (leaves); Golden Seal powder (leaves and stems); Oregon Grape powder (root); Ox Bile powder; Ginger Root powder; Alpha Herb powder (leaves and stems); Bayberry Root powder; Buckthorn Bark powder; Cascara Sagrada powder (bark); Dandelion Root Powder; Hyssop Leaf powder; Iodine and Iron.

The fourth formula, presented in this Cig-Arette Information article, contains:

Ylang Ylang oil; Rosemary oil; Peppermint oil; Lemon oil; Camphor oil; Eucalyptus oil; and White Mineral oil.

Why should you use Cig-Arette?

Because the many users of the Cig-Arette system managed to stop smoking without experiencing withdrawal symptoms, compared to other products and programs for smoking cessation it is less expensive and in many instances superior. Other products replace the addictive substance rather than helping the body to reduce the addiction and remove the substance.

Cig-Arette System helps people save lots of money by quitting the smoking habit. Smokers who consume one pack a day will save over $120 a month, totaling to more than $1500 a year. For a 2-pack-a-day smoker, over $300 a month, or $3500 a year, will be saved.

Cig-Arette System will help you quit smoking if you want it to. Many personal benefits can be gained from the personal decision to quit smoking. Used properly, the Cig-Arette System is a life-saver, decreasing the risk of heart diseases, lung diseases and cancers. Also aesthetic improvements will be made: no smell at home, in the car, on the clothes, no stains on teeth and fingers and no messy ashtrays all over the place.

Dale Hearn runs an exciting new website on natural and herbal health products reviews. For more free information and reviews on Cig-Arette and many others, see http://www.naturalhelathproductsreview.com

Ten Ways to Stop Smoking

2008-02-01T10:36:00.001-08:00

Tagged: stop smoking, quit smoking, smoking cessation, ways to quit smoking, ways to stop smoking

When one engages the quest to drive tobacco smoking from their lives they will find many methods to aid them. Some of these methods are highly successful while others show lesser results in some individuals; nothing works just right for everyone.

1. Cold Turkey

The most effective method to stop smoking is the "cold turkey" method of just forcing yourself to not light up again. Once accomplished this way, you are less likely to relapse than by stopping any other way.

2. Nicotine Replacement

The medical profession offers a number of nicotine replacement therapies which range from chewing gum to skin patches to experimental injection treatments.

3. Counseling

If the addiction is as much psychological as physical then counseling may work for you. Organizations such as Nicotine Anonymous provide both support and education to help you stay smoke-free.

4. Smokeless Tobacco

One may stop the smoking habit without giving up the nicotine craving by using smokeless tobacco products. However chewing tobacco, pouch tobacco and snuff bring with them their own sets of health risk in the long run, throat and mouth cancers being the greatest dangers to this method.

5 & 6. Herbal Remedies and Anti-Depressants

Herbal preparations and anti-depressant drugs can be added to your arsenal in the war to quit smoking. While some of these can be found in health stores, the anti-depressants are usually by prescription only and should be used cautiously. They will, however, provide relief from the worst of the cravings you go through while giving up cigarettes.

7. Hypnosis

Some people find their ability to stop smoking can come about through hypnosis. A trained professional can sometimes be able to insert subconscious markers in your thoughts that will aid your quest.

8. Acupuncture

Others find that acupuncture can be an effective way of conditioning the body to resist the urges to smoke.

9 Electroshock Therapy

On an even more dramatic note, there are forms of electroshock therapy that have been developed to help addicts stop smoking.

10. Spirituality

Finally, some people find success by turning to spirituality for the strength they need to stop smoking. While it can be construed as another form of willpower, at least this way you have a prayer.

Quitting smoking is within reach of every single person, it is simply a matter of having the willpower to being the process towards regaining your health.

Liz Darcy is a former smoker who successfully kicked the habit after 15 years. She now teaches other people her secrets to quitting smoking at her website Quit Smoking Help. Visit http://www.gethelpquitting.com for a free guide to ending the smoking habit for good.

Do You Need Will Power To Quit Smoking?

2008-02-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

Tagged: will power to quit smoking, stopping smoking, hypnosis, nicotine, addictive, tips

Many people think that you definitely need willpower to quit smoking but some claim that you do not. It's controversial but I'll cover in this article, two potential ways of stopping smoking that don't use willpower.

That's got to be the hardest thing about stopping smoking, right? Having enough willpower to stay away from the cigarettes. You do everything you can to prevent it, like throwing out your ashtrays and things like that.

But there are a couple of methods that apparently do not need any willpower from you. Can they really work? Let's examine them.

The first is hypnosis. The idea is that the hypnotherapist will try to give you a kind of new logic. He will put you in a very short trance and try take away your will for cigarettes.

This person will talk about such things like "you no longer want a cigarette" and words to that effect. This sounds great doesn't it? Imagine no longer even wanting a cigarette?

The problem is, repeat sessions are normally needed and that is because it is tough for your mind to abandon its old ways. So although it has a high success rate, some people still do fall victim to lack of will power later on.

The other method is very similar. You tell yourself that nicotine is not an addictive substance. Yes, that's right! Nicotine as a chemical is not addictive. If your body goes without it and feels physical symptoms like shaking and sweating, that is not because your body needs nicotine.

No, it is because your mind is being tricked by nicotine into believe that the body needs it. So tricky is nicotine on your mind that it will make your body have these "phantom reactions". It's like when you scratch one part of your body and get an itch or pain in another. Your mind and body have a strange relationship with each other and nicotine takes advantage of that.

Want to learn more about whether you need will power to quit smoking? Make a decision now for a future healthier you and enroll on my free e-course at http://www.Tips-To-Quit-Smoking.com

Quit Smoking Side Effects - Part 1

2008-01-28T13:07:00.002-08:00

Tagged: quit smoking side effects, quit smoking, stop smoking

When you choose to quit smoking, it is inevitable that there will be some side effects associated with your quit attempt. Often these side effects are just a nuisance but they also give smokers who are trying to quit an opportunity to smoke again. How is this so?

Well, when you quit smoking, you will spend a lot of your time thinking about cigarettes and how you miss them so. The downside of this is that you will probably be holding on to an endearing attitude to cigarettes.

At the same time, you will be experiencing some unpleasant side effects as a result of not smoking. In your stressed state of mind, it is easy to conclude that the side effects you are suffering need to be dealt with and the best way to do that will be to smoke.

So what are the most common side effects that you will suffer?

Quit Smoking Side Effect #1: Sore throat
The reason why you often find smokers who quit suffering from a sore throat is because of the change in mucous production in the nose. When you stop smoking, the mucous production levels seem to rise and as a result, you may suffer from a post nasal drip. This literally translates as; post; back, nasal; nose, drip; drip. There is a drip at the back of you nose - your soft palate.

This excess mucous irritates the back of the mouth, soft palate and throat, leaving you with a sore throat that can become very tedious. To deal with this, get some antiseptic and anti-inflammatory throat lozenges to try and minimize the pain and discomfort. You may also try an anaesthetic spray to alleviate the pain too.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #2: Headaches
When you smoke, the nicotine in your cigarette interacts with your brain chemistry. The toxins in the smoke reduce oxygen flow to your brain and the adrenalin suppressing qualities of nicotine bump up your blood sugar levels. The net result is you have become used to chemicals in your brain, reduced oxygen levels and higher than normal blood sugar levels.

When you quit smoking, the continuing effect of the nicotine and other toxins stops and your brain's 'normal' environment changes very rapidly. Within three days there will be a 20% increase in blood oxygen levels and a continued suppression of blood sugar as well as no nicotine or other toxins. The result is that your brain goes into a period of adjustment whilst it comes to terms with its new, healthier environment, no longer bathed in nicotine and toxins. This change manifests itself in headaches that are both irritating and tiring.

The best bet is to drink plenty of fluids and consider taking an appropriate painkiller whilst the headaches persist.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #3: Irritability, Lack of Concentration and Sleeplessness
All of these side effects are caused by a change in your brain chemistry. As explained above, your brain is coming to terms with a new healthier environment and your behaviour is changing as a result. Think of it the same way as alcohol. If you have a few drinks, the alcohol changes your behaviour making you less inhibited and more confident.

When you change the environment your brain is used to by stopping smoking, this is going to have an effect on the way it works. This can manifest itself in altered behaviour such as short temper, lost concentration and sleeplessness. It will pass with time.

Anyone can quit smoking with the help of Tom Dainty's book The Quit Smoking Bible. Guaranteed!

Quit Smoking Side Effects - Part 2

2008-01-28T13:07:00.001-08:00

There are many side effects that smokers can experience when they quit smoking. These side effects are often no worse than you might normally expect from a common cold or after having eaten something you are not used to, but they are annoying none the less. The most common side effects reported are as follows:

Quit Smoking Side Effect #4: Cravings
The act of quitting smoking means that your body is no longer being given a supply of nicotine. As a result, you start suffering from nicotine withdrawal symptoms that manifest themselves as cravings to smoke. As a smoker, you have always associated nicotine with cigarettes so now that you are in need of nicotine, your body is craving a cigarette in order to overcome the nicotine shortages in the blood stream. Cravings normally peak after the third day of a quit and then subside quite rapidly after that.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #5: Light-headedness
When you are a smoker, you inhale a concoction of over 4000 chemicals with each puff on a cigarette. Amongst the plethora of chemicals in cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide is a major component. Carbon monoxide binds itself to the haemoglobin in the red blood cells of your body. The red blood cells are designed to transport oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from your cells. However, once you have the carbon monoxide molecule attached to the haemoglobin, the haemoglobin cannot function properly. As a result of this, smokers' blood usually only functions to about 85% of that of a non-smoker. After quitting the smokes, one of the side effects is a higher level of oxygen in the blood than you would be used to - the result being your brain gets a little 'woozy' and you become light-headed on the oxygen. The symptoms will pass with time.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #6: Constipation
Amongst other things, nicotine in tobacco products affects the way in which your gastrointestinal tract operates. You wouldn't notice this normally because as a smoker you are totally used to 'yourself' as a smoker. When you quit, you may notice some changes including a change in your bowel movements and possibly some constipation. This is because the nicotine relaxes your gut and helps it keep regular. When you stop, the bowel does not have the relaxing effects of nicotine to help it do its job. The net result is that you may suffer from constipation and/or stomachache as a result of reduced nicotine. The best trick to help overcome constipation is to eat high fibre foods and plenty of water.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #7: Sweet tooth - increased appetite
When you smoke, one of the stimulant effects of nicotine is to give you a little adrenalin rush that makes the body 'dump' sugar into the blood stream, in anticipation of the need to fight or run from a threat. Having stopped smoking, your body does not get the hunger suppressing action of nicotine and your blood sugar levels remain lower at all times. The net result is that you crave sugar in order to try and rectify the problem. The main threat to smokers suffering from this is that they then go on to eat junk foods regularly, such as chocolate or sweets. The end result that many smokers fear more than the threat of tobacco to their health, is weight gain. The trick to overcome this is to eat plenty of low glycaemic index (GI) foods throughout the day to stave of blood sugar highs and lows.

Anyone can quit smoking with the help of Tom Dainty's book The Quit Smoking Bible. Guaranteed!

Quit Smoking Side Effects - Part 3

2008-01-28T13:06:00.000-08:00

In this final installment of the side effects of quitting smoking, I want to cover some of the more positive things that you can experience from quitting smoking. There may be many unpleasant side effects that you experience from nicotine withdrawal but there are also many positive reasons why you should be putting a lot of effort into quitting smoking.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #8: Heart Risks Down The moment you stop smoking is the moment you stop stressing your body with the stimulant effects of nicotine. Nicotine elevates adrenalin levels, suppressing insulin, raising heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure. All of these things are stress responses and stopping them happening so often means you reduce the stress on your body which is a good thing.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #9: Reduced Cancer Risk
Tobacco smoke contains tar that is a collection of thousands of chemicals, some benign but many of them are carcinogenic. One of the most carcinogenic chemicals found in tobacco smoke is benzene. There are strict laws in the US ans across Europe regarding its handling and who can handle it because it is so carcinogenic. When you stop smoking, you stop putting benzene and the other chemicals directly into your body. This has an immediate effect on reducing your cancer risks.

Smokers often think that lung cancer is the cancer to be afraid of and whilst this is true, many other forms of cancer are more likely in people who smoke than people who do not smoke.

Quit Smoking Side Effect #10: Stop COPD Progress
COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It basically means "long term inefficiencies in the lungs disease". One of the two main COPD ailments are bronchitis; inflammation of the bronchus and bronchi - the air tubes that you breathe through. When these inflame, the air tubes become narrower, restricting the flow of air and your ability to breath.

The other, more terrifying COPD ailment is emphysema. Emphysema is a disease where the elasticity of the lungs is lost through the damage done by tar and hot smoke to the lung tissue over years of smoking. The lungs effectively stop working and rather than being flexible like balloons, become stagnant like plastic bags. People with emphysema effectively suffocate to death over a period of a few years. It is not a very nice disease so stopping any further progress of lung deterioration has got to be a good thing.

Quit Smoking Side Effects #11: Reduced risk of stroke
Many smokers do not think about stroke as a major threat to them. Most smokers have some idea of cancer, heart disease and emphysema and bronchitis but strokes don't figure on their radar.

Stokes are often fatal but is you survive a stroke, it will leave you suffering the inability to walk or being unable to speak, unable to feed, clothe or wash yourself, partially paralysed, incontinent or worse. In bad cases, sufferers end up with more than one of these symptoms. Reducing the risk of turning your family into nurses for you is another great benefit to quitting smoking.

Anyone can quit smoking with the help of Tom Dainty's book The Quit Smoking Bible. Guaranteed!

Quit Smoking Benefit 1-10

2008-01-28T13:05:00.000-08:00

We all know that smoking is bad for health but as a smoker who may be considering quitting, it is useful to know a little more about the benefits of stopping smoking. Here is a run down of some of the most important benefits to quitting the smokes.

Quit Smoking Benefit #1: Smokers live on average, 8 years less than non-smokers. Research has shown that about half of all smokers will die prematurely as a result of smoking. What this actually translates as is that you have a 50/50 chance of living to your natural end. Alternatively, if smoking takes you early, it will do so on average, 16 years earlier than if you had been a non-smoker.

Quit Smoking Benefit #2: About 1 in 7 smokers will contract cancer as a direct result of smoking. About 1 in 8 smokers will contract lung cancer. Importantly, quitting smoking can reduce your chances of contracting lung cancer, immediately after you stop. Lung cancer has a very poor long-term survival rate, with fewer than 1 in 20 people living 5 years after diagnosis in the US.

Quit Smoking Benefit #3: About 1 in 16 smokers will be diagnosed with incurable degenerative lung diseases such as emphysema. Emphysema is a disease where your lungs literally stop working and become unable to provide you with oxygen. Over the course of a few years, emphysema patients literally suffocate with no hope of cure. Quitting greatly reduces your risk of further lung damage.

Quit Smoking Benefit #4: Smokers run twice the chance of dying from heart disease as non-smokers but there are immediate improvements in heart health the moment you stop smoking.

Quit Smoking Benefit #5: A smoker's blood is poisoned with a cocktail of chemicals including Carbon Monoxide - the gas that kills you when your gas boiler doesn't work properly. Carbon monoxide incapacitates up to 15% of a smoker's blood so that it cannot carry oxygen around the body. The body can repair this blood in around two days of a smoker quitting cigarettes.

Quit Smoking Benefit #6: Smokers run a higher risk of suffering a stroke, potentially leaving them unable to speak or eat properly or even walk. Stoke sufferers can often live for many years after their stroke in this incapacitated and handicapped state. A smoker who quits can reduce their chances of suffering a stroke to the same level as a non-smoker in as few as five years after quitting.

Quit Smoking Benefit #7: Smokers stink. Any non-smoker when asked will tell you that smokers not only smell bad, they look bad with a grey complexion and yellow teeth. Do yourself a favour and everyone who has to look at you too!

Quit Smoking Benefit #8: Smokers have poor circulation and a long-term risk that smokers have is that they may lose circulation to a point where they may need a limb amputated. Quitting smoking will see noticeable improvements in circulation within as little as three months.

Quit Smoking Benefit #9: Smoking promotes high blood pressure that means the heart must work harder to pump your disabled blood around your body. Quitting smoking helps to reduce blood pressure over time and so reduce the risk of an unhealthy, enlarged heart.

Quit Smoking Benefit #10: Smoking costs you a lot of money. If the cigarettes were actually really made from dollar bills, would you still burn them? Why not save yourself some money and spend it on something you can really enjoy instead of something that will really kill you huh?

Anyone can quit smoking with the help of Tom Dainty's book The Quit Smoking Bible. Guaranteed!

Have You The Will Power To Quit Smoking?

2008-01-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

Tagged: quit smoking, stop smoking, yellow teeth, health, save money, wife, will power, courage, cigarettes

You have decided to quit smoking, but have you the necessary will power to succeed? I am somebody who has managed to stop smoking, it certainly was not easy but I feel a whole lot healthier now. I have not smoked a cigarette for over a year and am happy to report that I no longer even get the urge. In this article I will be writing about how I successfully managed to quit smoking.

I had attempted to stop smoking on numerous occasions; I had tried patches and also gave hypnotherapy a go. For whatever reason, I did not succeed and kept returning to those death sticks. It may have been because I was not fully committed to quit or perhaps because I was not ready.

Around two years ago I decided to try for one last time. My wife challenged me to quit smoking and stated that she did not think that I had the courage or the will power to succeed. I will show you, I thought to myself.

I wrote a list of all the reasons that I wanted to stop smoking, this list included the following:

To save some money
For health reasons
I hate the way that smoking makes my clothes smell
To stop my teeth from turning yellow
To prove my wife wrong
To prove that I am a winner and not a loser

I kept this list with me at all times. There were demons or little voices in my head; they were trying to convince me to have just one more cigarette.

The first few days and weeks were without doubt the hardest. I decided to keep myself busy; I also had an extra plan. Every time that I really really wanted a cigarette I would do thirty sit ups. Instead of slowly killing myself through smoking, I would attempt to become stronger via exercise. This might sound a little crazy but it worked for me.

I wish you the very best in your quest to quit smoking.

Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including: stammering treatment
quit smoking

What are the benefits of quitting smoking?

2008-01-28T13:03:00.001-08:00

We know what the dangers are, but knowing the benefits can be a powerful encouragement to quit smoking - or to never start.

There are many benefits to stopping smoking, and the good news is that a lot of them start right away.

Nicotine levels in your blood will start to decrease almost as soon as you put out a cigarette. For a smoker, an hour or so later the levels will have dropped low enough that it will make you think about lighting another cigarette. If you manage to resist the urge, the nicotine in your body will keep getting lower until it is finally gone. That is when the addiction is broken.

Another health benefits that kicks in almost right away is that your blood becomes clearer and circulation is improved. Your pulse rates and blood pressure will get better. Your heart doesn't have to work as hard getting oxygen to the rest of the body.

Your lungs will begin to clear, but it may take a few weeks. During that process you may actually more than you did when you were smoking. Your body is just clearing itself out. Don't get disheartened, it's a natural process. If it doesn't go away, you should have your doctor check it out.

Although your lungs will become much clearer, they may never become totally clear because of the pollutants all around us. You will have also increased your chances of living longer unless you have already developed a smoking related disease.

Exercise will become easier in that your heart rate will be slower and you won't get out of breath so easily. You may also have the added benefit of not having as many coughs, colds and sinus infections if you were prone to them before.

Your risk of developing major smoking-related diseases will lessen within a few months of stopping. Some of these diseases are cancer of the lungs, mouth, esophagus, throat and other types of cancer. It is also less likely that you will develop heart disease.

Besides the advantages you get in your health benefits when you quit, there are benefits for others. Your family and those that you spend a lot of time with will not have to breathe your smoke!

Let's face it - nonsmokers are bothered by the smell of smoke. Even if you don't smoke when you are around them the odor that clings to you will be bothersome. Dating, making new friends and even working with the public will all become less of a problem once you stop smoking.

Third, you will save money, and even time! It's obvious that you won't spend as much money, but not everyone realizes that they really can waste a lot of time smoking. Another positive thing to think about is that it will be great to do be able to not interrupt what you are doing for several hours by the need to go outside for a cigarette.

There really are a lot of reasons to be happy that you quit. Keep a list of what the health and social benefits of quitting smoking are and refer to them when you need encouragement.

Quitting smoking is a serious goal for many smokers. Sometimes it seems overwhelming. Read more tips and advice on methods and ways to quit smoking here: http://quit-smoking.great-home-remedies.com

Stop-Smoking Drug Raises Questions Of Rage

2008-01-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

Q: I live in the U.K. On Christmas Eve, my boyfriend had been using Champix for some months. He was drinking and went berserk for no reason, assaulting me and destroying my apartment.

I fled and waited in an ambulance for the police to come. They found him unconscious from taking an overdose of paracetamol (acetaminophen).

He survived, but I have ended the relationship and pressed charges. As far as I know, he has no past mental health problems or history of violence. Could Champix have contributed to his frightening behavior?

A: The stop-smoking drug varenicline is sold in the U.K. as Champix and in the U.S. by the name Chantix. It is impossible to determine whether this medication was responsible for your boyfriend's behavior, but the Food and Drug Administration has received reports of "suicidal thoughts and aggressive and erratic behavior in patients who have taken Chantix."

Your story is reminiscent of a tragic event that took place in Dallas last year. A musician named Carter Albrecht had been taking Chantix to quit smoking. One night he got drunk and assaulted his girlfriend.

She ran away from him and locked him out. When he wasn't able to kick the door down, he went to a neighbor's house and started banging on the door. The frightened neighbor fired a gun through the door. One shot hit Albrecht in the head and killed him. No one has determined whether Chantix played a role in this incident.
Write to Joe and Teresa Graedon at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

Quit smoking

2008-01-26T12:29:00.000-08:00

BY BORDEN BLACK - Special to Ledger-Enquirer --

As the new year begins, Georgia and Alabama tobacco quit lines are seeing a spike in telephone calls.

Kicking the smoking habit is among the top New Year's resolutions and as part of a national program, both states have counselors who will help those interested in quitting.

Georgia

Georgia's program, which began in 2001, is free to residents above the age of 13. It is funded by the Master Tobacco Settlement through Georgia's Department of Human Resources, in partnership with the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

Kenneth Ray, a state Department of Human Resources program manager for youth tobacco prevention, says the quitline is effective because most Georgians have access to a phone and there are no constraints such as transportation or enrollment fees.

"With quitline all you need is desire," he points out.

He says callers talk to a counselor who will assess their readiness to quit based on universal cessation guidelines. Based on that evaluation they enter into a baseline or more intensive track.

The client receives a customized quit plan, including motivational and problem-solving advice. Each caller also gets a Georgia Tobacco Quit Kit, including materials tailored to their readiness to quit.

The counselor will follow up with prearranged calls. According to Ray the telephone sessions last 45 minutes to an hour with the average person needing four or five sessions.

Special concerns are addressed by the counselors.

"Part of the clinical intervention addresses the potential for relapsing, weight gain and depression," explains Ray.

Once in the data base, those who fall off the wagon can keep calling back and can be reactivated.

The typical caller to Georgia's program is a white female. Ray says the female population is more ready to make an attempt and men have the highest smoking rates.

There are also special numbers and guidance for teens, Spanish speaking callers and those who are deaf.

Ray says the helpline is effective and an Independent evaluation showed 87 percent of the people who called made a quit attempt.

The national goal is for every state is to lower the percentage of residents smoking to 22 percent. Georgia's rage is 20 percent.

"For a Southern state that has been growing and producing tobacco that is a huge accomplishment," says Ray. The goal for 2020 is to get under 10 percent of the population smoking.

Alabama

Although Alabama has a newer program, established in 2005, the state provides additional help for its citizens. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, 24.8 percent (860,000) of adults in Alabama smoke.

The call line operates in much the same way but according to Demetra Peoples, coordinator for east Alabama counties, callers may be able to get free nicotine patches. In partnership with a caller's doctor, she says the Alabama Department of Public Health will provide four weeks of free patches for those who are medically eligible.

"Nicotine is so addictive that helps," Peoples explains.

Health care providers can get involved by enrolling their patients in the fax referral system. It a patient signs the fax referral consent form, the Alabama Tobacco Quitline will contact them and their doctor will receive progress reports (with the patient's consent.)

Counselors set up a cessation program based on a caller's individual preferences. The experts will then call them about their progress. Since its inception, thousands of Alabamians have called the Quitline to help themselves or family members learn how to be tobacco free.

Peoples says a relapse is normal and it usually takes six to eight attempts before someone actually quits.

"We tell them 'don't give up' and we try to encourage them. We will work with them as long as they need the help," she says and adds, "Never give up. Tomorrow is another day."

GEORGIA

English: 1-877-270-STOP

Spanish: 1-877-2NO-FUME

The hours of operation for the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line are: 8 a.m.-midnight daily. After business hours, callers will be prompted to leave their name and number and a Quit Line counselor will return their call during normal business hours.

ALABAMA

English & Spanish: 1-800-Quit-Now

TTY: 800-969-1393

Counselors are available 8 a.m-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. Calls placed after these hours or on weekends or holidays will be returned the next business day.

QUITTING FACTS AND FIGURES

• Nicotine dependence is the most common form of chemical dependence in the United States. Research suggests that nicotine is as addictive as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. Quitting tobacco use is difficult and may require multiple attempts, and often requires repeated intervention

• Among current U.S. adult smokers, 70% report that they want to quit completely. In 2006, an estimated 19.2 million (44.2%) adult smokers had stopped smoking for at least 1 day during the preceding 12 months because they were trying to quit.

• People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk of dying prematurely. Benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, but cessation is beneficial at all ages. Smoking cessation lowers the risk for lung and other types of cancer, coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.
Source: Georgia's Quit Line