Cigarettes, Hazardous To Your Health
   As we all know, smoking cigarettes is very hazardous to one’s health. Habitual, heavy smokers have 50 times greater incidences of smoking-related cancers than non smokers.

  The casual smoker [does not smoke daily] averages about twice the incidence of smoking-related cancers as well as a greater risk for developing heart disease than those of  non smokers.

 Cigarettes- Hazardous to Your Health

According to the National Cancer Institute, there are between 4,000 – 7,000 chemicals in most commercial brands of cigarettes and the resulting smoke. At least 250 are known to be harmful to the human body. Of the 250 harmful chemicals, at least 50 of them are provencarcinogens, and many others are suspected carcinogens, or cancer causing agents.

Out of those 4,000 plus chemicals, the most interesting chemicals are those you think have no place in a cigarette. Some of those chemicals are:

Hydrogen Cyanide
Commonly used in the production of wood resins and plastics, hydrogen cyanide is also used in gas chambers for state-ordered executions in some states in the United States. Hydrogen cyanide causes nausea, headache, fatigue and lung damage, as well as death, if exposed in extremely high doses.

Lead
Commonly used in paint, solder, bronze and other metal alloys, lead can be found in many
brands of cigarettes. Exposure to lead can lead to brain damage, kidney damage, anemia,
stomach problems and reproductive damage. Second-hand smoke can be particularly harmful
to children because of their sensitivity to lead.

Catechol (ka-t?-kol)
Catechol is an antioxidant substance commonly found in dyes, inks and automotive and house
paints. Catechol can cause high blood pressure when exposed to the body, as well as contact
dermatitis and upper respiratory infection and disease.

Cadmium
Cadmium is commonly used in ball bearings, batteries as well as metal paints and pigments
for automotive and machine parts. Prolonged cadmium exposure can lead to cancer, liver
damage, kidney damage and brain damage.

Nickel
Used in stainless steel, batteries and other metal alloys, nickel exposure can cause asthma,
bronchitis and respiratory problems. Prolonged exposure has been linked to several types of
cancer, though many studies in this area are inconclusive.

Acetone
Acetone is a chemical typically used in solvents, and it is often sold in its pure form as a
commercial-grade solvent. Acetone can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and
prolonged exposure can cause serious damage to the liver and kidneys.

Smoking Cessation
If you smoke and choose to quit, you will notice some changes almost instantly. Food may taste better, your concentration may increase and the time it takes your body to fight infections will drop. Here are some things for you to look forward to, if you choose to quit smoking today.

• 24 HOURS after quitting
Blood pressure and pulse rate may drop

• 48 HOURS after quitting
Carbon monoxide level in the blood may return to normal

• 2 TO 12 WEEKS after quitting
Circulation may improve and lung function can increase

• 1 YEAR after quitting
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s

• 10+ YEARS after quitting
Risk of lung cancer death is half that of a smoker’s

• 15+ YEARS after quitting
Risk of stroke and coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s

Quitting smoking isn’t easy; nicotine is extremely addictive and can be very hard to overcome. And like many other addictive substances, withdrawal symptoms usually occur when you take the substance away from your body. When you take nicotine away you could experience some of these symptoms:

• Restlessness
• Depressed mood
• Insomnia
• Irritability, frustration, or anger
• Decreased heart rate
• Difficulty concentrating
• Increased appetite or weight gain
• Anxiety

The cost of cigarettes is at an all time high. 5 years ago, a pack of Marlboro cigarettes cost approximately $5.00 per pack of 20 cigarettes.

Today, the same pack of cigarettes cost roughly $9.00. This is what you could be saving if you stop smoking.

If you smoke a pack a day costing approximately $9.00, you will spend:
$3285.00 – one year
$9855.00 – three years
$16,425.00 – five years

More information can be found on www.livestrong.com and other web based resources

www.chantix.com
www.nicorette.com
www.quitsmoking.lifetips.com
www.smokefree.gov

For resources and smoking cessation in New York State, call 1.866.NY.QUITS (1-866-697-8487)

For resources anywhere in the US- 1800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Quitting smoking is difficult, but in the long run the decision to quit is a good one. Ask questions and seek help from your doctor. A doctor will be able to prescribe nicotine gum or patches to help with the transition. Another product also available is the “e-cigarette” which can deliver nicotine without “lighting up”, though the safety of this product is still being evaluated. Using hypnosis is another possible method for quitting.

~~ The best method is to simply stop smoking~~

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