Smoking is a huge topic of conversation; it dominates the media, the medical profession and the public. We are inundated with health messages willing us to quit smoking and to recognise the health benefits if we do. There are plenty of reasons why we smoke, and why we are reluctant to stop, but with electronic smoking taking off in a big way, thanks to companies such as http://www.shishee.com the excuses for not giving up don’t really ring true anymore.
When a smoker is asked why they smoke, they always have plenty or reasons, and yet many of them aren’t quite accurate.
This article aims to try to dispel the many misconceptions and myths which come with defending the habit.
I smoke light or mentholated cigarettes because they are better for me
In part this is true, light and menthol cigarettes are considered better because they contain smaller amounts of the harmful substances found in cigarettes. BUT they actually make people smoke more or inhale more deeply in order to satisfy their cravings.
The damage has already been done so why quit now?
This is probably the most misunderstood area. Your health will benefit instantly, regardless of how long you have smoked for or even how many. Research suggests that 20 minutes after stopping smoking your heart rate returns to normal. The benefits are really that instant.
I will gain weight if I quit
You may gain a little weight when you have beaten the cigarettes, because they are an appetite suppressant so when you give up you suddenly regain hunger pains. On average, people put on 14 pounds after quitting, although if you watch what you eat, you don’t have to put on any weight at all.
I’m cutting down which will lead me to quit
This never happens. The habit needs to be stopped completely because it is so easy to add a few more cigarettes to your daily allowance, during times of stress and anxiety or even in certain situations.
I have tried to quit before and it didn’t work
So? Are you really going to give up that easily? Keep trying, no one said it was going to be easy but you will be immensely proud of yourself when you do battle through the cravings and look and feel better.
Tobacco is natural so cigarettes can’t be as bad as they say?
Yes, tobacco is a natural product but other substances, which go into cigarettes are not, they are in fact incredibly harmful.
If you get cancer from smoking it means you were going to get it anyway
Not only is this untrue, it’s plain scary that people still believe it. Smoking increases your chances of getting cancer and is actually the cause of 80% of the certain forms of the disease such as lung, mouth, nose, voice box, food pipe, etc.
Here are just a few of the millions of misconceptions that surround smoking, obviously I can’t cover them all, but it just goes to show that if people really want to do something they will, regardless of all the advice and knowledge about the damage they do to our health. The education around smoking is increasing and with so many products on the market that substitute cigarettes, smokers are fast running out of excuses.
Debbie Fletcher is an enthusiastic, experienced writer who has written for a range of difference magazines and news publications. Follow her here: @Debbie_Fletch18
