Smoking

What’s in it and what does it do?

Cigarettes are made from tobacco; this is a mild stimulant that is extremely addictive. The smoke from a cigarette consists of many different harmful gases & chemicals such as tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and many more. Once the smoke is inhaled these chemicals enter your bloodstream whether you inhale or not. This can cause a variety of serious diseases such as lung cancer, heart problems, emphysema, strokes, throat and mouth cancers, ulcers, bad skin, wrinkles and crow’s feet, and impotence in men. Also be aware of passive smoking (when you breathe in someone else’s smoke) as this can also cause these diseases.
It was once thought to be cool to smoke however, times have changed and it is not as socially acceptable as it once was - well lets be honest do you want to smell of smoke all the time and have yellow teeth?

It ain’t cheap either
If you smoke the amount of cigarettes below then you are paying out:
·5 cigarettes a day for 1 year = £644
·10 cigarettes a day for 1 year = £1289
·20 cigarettes a day for 1 year = £2577
(all figures are approx)

There’s got to be a better use for £2500 than increases the risk of becoming ill……surely? What about those G Star jeans you were wanting? Or a holiday with your mates?
Stopping smoking is an extremely hard thing to do but it is definitely worth it. Cigarettes are very addictive due to the nicotine in them. The most important thing is to have the support of your family and friends. Tell them you want to stop and they can help you through it.

You should get rid of anything that reminds you of smoking e.g. Ashtrays and lighters. If you feel you will smoke when drinking alcohol try and stop drinking for a while. You are more likely to stop if you get rid of all your habits that are linked to smoking.
And last but not least don’t give up. If you quit for a while then start smoking again set a new date and try again. It takes most people several attempts to finally stop smoking but the important thing is to keep trying.

 
 


Top Tips If You Want To Quit

1. Planning in advance is a good start and will give you the best chance of success. Choose your day wisely, will the first few days be easier during a school week or over a weekend? Is it better to quit at a time when you’re going to be busy or when you have plenty of spare time and are more relaxed?

2· Get rid of things around you that act as a reminder - we're talking ashtrays and lighters.

3· Planning a treat after the first day, week and month is another good idea and will give you something to look forward to and focus your mind away from the craving. You can plan to spend the money you will have saved by not smoking on something nice (not cigarettes!).

4· It’s wise to break the link between smoking and the situations you find yourself in, like sitting down with a cigarette and calling your friends or lighting up with a coffee - it relates to the habit - drink fruit juice or sugar-free drinks instead. Sipping water can also help with cravings

5· If you think alcohol will be your downfall, and you are more likely to smoke when drinking, try and stay clear of alcohol for a while. Breaking all those habits associated with your smoking will help.

6· Many people have found that stopping with a friend or family member is a really good way to give up. The encouragement you can give each other is great, especially during times when you may find it most difficult. At the very least tell family and friends you’ve decided to stop and ask them for their understanding and support.

7· If you stop smoking, but start up again, don’t lose faith; set another date and try again. For many people it takes several attempts before they are successful. Not managing to quit on the date you set yourself isn't a failure - keep it in your mind to try again. The real failure is when you stop trying