The above mentioned phrase is very famous. Everyone knows
this fact. Then the question that comes into mind is why
people smoke?
Ask any current smoker why he continues to indulge himself
in such a dangerous activity and he will normally reply
"Because I like smoking". While he may say this in aal honesty,
it is a very misleading statement both to the listener and
to the smoker himself. he does not smoke because he enjoys
smoking rather he smokes because he doesn’t enjoy not smoking!
There are many reasons for which people start smoking,
its pretty funny: A lot of teenagers start smoking during
high school because they think that it makes one appear
glamorous and mature.Some think that it makes them feel
relaxed, more mellow and sometimes it helps in reducing
tension or whenever they are feeling miserable, unsatisfied,
nervous or bored.Some start because their parents, teachers
and other adults told them they couldn't smoke.So to show
them who was in control,they smoked anyway.Yet some smokers
continue to smoke because of their self-destructive attitude.Some
smoke to stay awake or to sleep even some say that they
smoke to think!
The reasons to start smoking and the reasons to continue
it are not the same.People start for a variety of reasons,
but they continue for just one - they became drug addict.
Once off smoking these excuses simply disappear, leaving
a physically and psychologically healthier individuals
As far as the promotion of smoking is concerned,TV commercials
play a very major role. Here is an instance as to how commercials
attract masses, youngsters in perticular, towrards smoking...
The father sat reflecting on how much joy his two sons
brought to him during the year. He decided to buy them both
the present of their choice this holiday season. When he
asked his older boy what he would like, the son replied,
"Oh boy, I would like so many things. May be a bicycle,
or new skis, or skin diving equipment. I wish I would have
them all, but any one would make me happy." That was fine
with the father, he now had some good choices. Next, he
turned to his younger son, who was only eight years old.
The boy envied his brother for all the games he could play
and all of the sports he could do so well. When asked what
he would like, he made one simple request. "I would like
a box of Tampax Tampons." The father was shocked, "What
in the world do you want a box of tampons for?" he demanded
angrily. The poor boy, not knowing he had said something
wrong, answered, "With Tampax, you can swim, ski, sky dive,
horseback ride and play any sport you want."!!!
ISNT IT AMAZING??? SURE IT IS! This is why people have
such an idealization of this dangerous product.
There are roughly 50 million smokers in the United States.These
50 million smokers consume incredibly 800 billion cigarettes
annually. Cigarette smoking is also increasing rapidly in
other parts of the world, particularly in the lesser-developed
countries.
The harmful effects of tobacco smoking, and in
particular cigarette smoking, on health are now well accepted.Such
effects include the direct action of cigarettes on the respiratory
tract, causing cancer of the lung, as well as more indirect
action on other organs such as arteries and heart. While
smoking, almost 500 different gases are released into the
lungs and the body, also there is release of roughly 3,500
chemicals including nicotine and large number of carcinogenic
chemicals. Some of these chemicals,specially nicotine, lead
to strong addiction.
The harmful effects of cigarette smoking on the
musculoskeletal system (the bones, joints and muscles) have
not been the subject of much publicity, nor have the public
or doctors given it the same attention that they have to
other diseases caused by smoking.
Scientists have analyzed clinical studies of the effects
of smoking on the musculoskeletal system. Their findings
are summarized here:
Smoking reduces the amount of available oxygen in the tissues
under the skin, due to this healing is affected by smoking,
since oxygen is necessary close wounds.It also reduces the
blood flow.One study showed that even one cigarette could
cause quite severe constriction of the blood vessels in
the fingers.So it is obviously highly desirable for smokers
to quit smoking before and after any surgery,it definitely
aids patient recovery. One study pointed out that smoking
decreased bone formation in osteoporotic patients. Another
study showed that while a non-smoker can build 1 centimeter
of bone in 2 months...it takes a smoker 3 months!
It should be remembered that annually over 500,000 deaths
in the United States, and millions more throughout the world,
are caused by smoking!
Now if you listen to your heart,I am sure it is telling
you - never smoke again. Life can be longer as a ex-smoker,
and life is better as a ex-smoker. Consider this whenever
external or internal forces call out to you.We shall also
move forward to eradicate smoking and shall take steps to
keep our place clean from this social evil.