Quit Smoking 4th July Blog: July 2009

Sunday 12 July 2009

Quit Smoking Supplement for a mere $10.. Watch video for more information.

Quit Smoking supplement for about $10.. watch the video.

Supplements to Help You Quit Smoking

Get the supplement now. $10 is no investment for having your life back.

Here is more quit smoking help for you.

1) Smoke Free Dot Gov

Free, trusted, and proven methods for those trying to quit smoking. Self-help guides, instant support, and interactive tools available ...

2) SmokeFree.gov Printer friendly pdf doc

Smokefree.gov. Quit Smoking with our Online Guide to Quitting. Printer-friendly PDF Thinking About Quitting · Why quit? What's in a cigarette? ...

3) Smoking and Tobacco Use :: How to Quit Smoking :: Office on ...

A free, phone-based service with educational materials and coaches that can help you quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Help for Smokers and Other Tobacco Users ...

Booklet that tells you about ways you can quit. I QUIT! What to Do When You're Sick of Smoking, Chewing, or Dipping ...

The latest information to help you quit from the Surgeon General's Web site. You Can Quit Smoking A consumer guide to help you become tobacco free. ...

4) Smoking and Tobacco Use :: Quit Smoking :: Office on Smoking and ...

Quit Smoking. Quit Smoking. For support in quitting, including free quit coaching, a free quit plan, free educational materials, and referrals to local resources, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669); TTY 1-800-332-8615. How to Quit · Cessation Program Materials ...

CDC/Office on Smoking and Health 4770 Buford Highway MS K-50. Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3717; 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 24 Hours/Every Day; tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov ...

5) Quit - The UK Charity that helps people give up smoking 0800 00 22 00

Smokers wanting to QUIT should call 0800 00 22 00 or email stopsmoking@quit.org.uk for free, individual, same-day advice. This service is only available in the UK. ...

Take part in web based research and you will receive on line help to quit smoking please Click here ...

Are you a young person? Visit www.quitbecause.org.uk to see QUIT's website specially designed for young people. Includes three viral videos, a forum and freebies. ...

6) Quit Smoking - American Lung Association site

quit smoking - smoking cessation support ...

Find out more about how smoking has affected you community, see American Lung

Association State of Tobacco Control: 2007 Report. ...

'View Research Project Funded by the American Lung Association on 'COPD, Smoking and Air Pollution' for 2006-2007 ...

Half of all smokers will die of smoking related cancers. Read more ..

One in 2 smokers will die from smoking related cancer. That is 50% of the smoking populatiom according to the National cancer institute. Don't become part of the statistic. Act now and quit smoking.

For those of you finding it hard to kick your smoking habit, watch the video below:-

Tobacco use is the most common preventable cause of death. About half of the people who don't quit smoking will die of smoking-related problems. Quitting smoking is important for your health and provides many benefits. Soon after you quit, your circulation begins to improve, and your blood pressure starts to return to normal. Your sense of smell and taste return and breathing starts to become easier. In the long term, giving up tobacco can help you live longer. Your risk of getting cancer decreases with each year you stay smoke-free.

Quitting is not easy. You may have short-term effects such as weight gain, irritability and anxiety. Some people try several times before succeeding. There are many ways to quit smoking. Some people stop "cold turkey." Others benefit from step-by-step manuals, counseling or medicines or products that help reduce nicotine addiction. Your health care provider can help you find the best way for you to quit.

Can you prevent developing cancer? Of course you can. Take action now and quit smoking. By this action, you will live a healthy, longer and more fruitful life. Do yourself a favour and quit?

Here is more quit smoking help for you.

1) Smoke Free Dot Gov

Free, trusted, and proven methods for those trying to quit smoking. Self-help guides, instant support, and interactive tools available ...

2) SmokeFree.gov Printer friendly pdf doc

Smokefree.gov. Quit Smoking with our Online Guide to Quitting. Printer-friendly PDF Thinking About Quitting · Why quit? What's in a cigarette? ...

3) Smoking and Tobacco Use :: How to Quit Smoking :: Office on ...

A free, phone-based service with educational materials and coaches that can help you quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Help for Smokers and Other Tobacco Users ...

Booklet that tells you about ways you can quit. I QUIT! What to Do When You're Sick of Smoking, Chewing, or Dipping ...

The latest information to help you quit from the Surgeon General's Web site. You Can Quit Smoking A consumer guide to help you become tobacco free. ...

4) Smoking and Tobacco Use :: Quit Smoking :: Office on Smoking and ...

Quit Smoking. Quit Smoking. For support in quitting, including free quit coaching, a free quit plan, free educational materials, and referrals to local resources, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669); TTY 1-800-332-8615. How to Quit · Cessation Program Materials ...

CDC/Office on Smoking and Health 4770 Buford Highway MS K-50. Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3717; 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 24 Hours/Every Day; tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov ...

5) Quit - The UK Charity that helps people give up smoking 0800 00 22 00

Smokers wanting to QUIT should call 0800 00 22 00 or email stopsmoking@quit.org.uk for free, individual, same-day advice. This service is only available in the UK. ...

Take part in web based research and you will receive on line help to quit smoking please Click here ...

Are you a young person? Visit www.quitbecause.org.uk to see QUIT's website specially designed for young people. Includes three viral videos, a forum and freebies. ...

6) Quit Smoking - American Lung Association site

quit smoking - smoking cessation support ...

Find out more about how smoking has affected you community, see American Lung

Association State of Tobacco Control: 2007 Report. ...

'View Research Project Funded by the American Lung Association on 'COPD, Smoking and Air Pollution' for 2006-2007 ...

Saturday 11 July 2009

Hypnosis method to help you quit smoking..

watch this video about hypnosis as a quit smoking method.

Cancer death inspires family to quit smoking.. Read this heart wrenching story..

Smoking related deaths run into hundreds of thousands every year. 500, 000 American die a year alone from smoking related illnesses. Statistics for smoking related deaths for the whole world paint a gruesome picture.

Do people take heed of the informtion and statistics that are freely available in the public domain?

It would appear that information about the dangers of smoking is filtering through and it is having some impact. Figures suggest 66% of smokers wish to quit . There is greater awareness aside from hard hitting TV campaigns, no smoking day 11th March 09 is one such awareness day.

Sadly, it is too late for an important member of one family. They got the message at the expense and loss of their loved one. What is really commendable is that 8 members of this family took the brave decision to quit after the untimely loss of their mother through smoking Their decision to quit will serve them well, improve the quality of their lives and even prolong their lives.

Please read their story and take the important lessons to quit. Don't wait for a tragedy to awaken now. Quit now live healthier, longer and enjoy better quality of life

Cancer death inspires family to quit smoking.

EIGHT people who smoked more than 7000 cigarettes a month between them have kicked the habit after the mother at the heart of their family died of lung cancer.

Jean Bourne, 63, from south Derbyshire, died in February after being nursed for eight months by her husband Graham and their daughters.

Since her death, Mr Bourne, 68, and daughters Tracey, 45, Christine, 43, and Helen, 42, have all given up

So too has Mr Bourne's 17-year-old grand-daughter Stacey Richmond, his son-in-law John Smith, 44, grandson Stephen Smith, 21, and the girlfriend of grandson Danny Smith, Kayleigh Robinson, 23.

The family now saves £1820 a month thanks to the 12-week stop-smoking programme run by the Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust.

Mr Bourne, a former miner, said: "The cancer was a terrible thing and I never want to see it again.

"Now I don't let anybody smoke in the house. Jean would be so proud."

Stacey said: "I want to give up because my nan died and I'm pregnant so I really want to do it."

The family used to smoke between 15 and 40 cigarettes each everyday and used nicotine patches, inhalers and gum to quit.

Friday 10 July 2009

Quit smoking is being announced across the world

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We want quit smoking to make its presnce known..

Patches are known to help you Quit says research..

In an earlier article, I spoke about the patch and issues related to its safety as compared to prescription medicine. Research now shows that, use of the patch to help quit smoking increases the success rate. As a matter if fact, the quit success rate is doubld with the use of the patch. This makes patch a good, safe and reliable quit smoking aid. Please the findings of the research beloa and draw you own conclusions.

Quit Smoking: Pre-cessation Patch Doubles Quit Success Rate

ScienceDaily (July 9, 2009) — Using a nicotine patch before quitting smoking can double success rates, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers. They say their latest data suggest changes should be made to nicotine patch labeling.

"Right now, the nicotine patch is only recommended for use after the quit date," explains Jed Rose, director of the Duke Center for Nicotine and Smoking Research and lead author of the paper that is published online in the current issue of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

The current labeling resulted from concerns that using a patch while smoking could lead to nicotine overdose. However, a literature review found concurrent use of a nicotine patch and cigarette smoking appears to be safe.

"People who use the patch before quitting are likely to spontaneously reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke because the patch satisfies their need for nicotine and makes the act of smoking less enjoyable," he says. It also decreases withdrawal symptoms.

"Yet people are afraid to try a pre-cessation patch because the current labeling recommends users not smoke while on treatment," Rose says. "That's why our study is so important. It reinforces the findings of previous studies, which show the value of pre-cessation patch therapy, and demonstrates that using a pre-cessation nicotine patch can make a significant difference in a person's ability to quit."

Nearly 25 percent of the population continues to smoke despite the known health risks, according to previously published research. And, up to 90 percent of smokers who receive nicotine replacement therapy relapse within one year.

In an effort to find a successful smoking cessation method, Rose and his colleagues randomized 400 people who smoked an average of slightly more than one pack of cigarettes per day. They were put in four groups who either used a nicotine or placebo patch for two weeks prior to quitting smoking. They were further randomized to smoking their regular brand of cigarettes or a low-tar and nicotine cigarette. Following the quit date, all groups received standard nicotine patch treatment at reduced dosages for a total of 10 weeks.

Twenty-two percent of participants in the pre-cessation nicotine patch groups abstained from smoking continuously for at least 10 weeks, compared to 11 percent in the placebo patch groups.

Although participants who smoked their usual brand fared no better or worse than those who smoked a low-tar cigarette, Rose says switching to a low-tar and nicotine cigarette may circumvent any potential safety or tolerability issues that could occur in some smokers.

Rose also believes similar pre-cessation intervention may work for other drugs used for smoking cessation, but more research is needed to support that hypothesis.

More importantly, Rose says the use of the pre-cessation patch is significant because it helps researchers predict people's subsequent quit success. "People on the patch are more likely to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke. We found that is a potent predictor of subsequent abstinence. Smokers who did not reduce their smoking on the patch were less likely to succeed."

That's the subject of his new research efforts.

"By monitoring pre-cessation patch smoking levels, we may be able to rescue people who aren't going to succeed. If the smoker is not spontaneously decreasing the number of cigarettes they are smoking, we may be able to find a different treatment that will work for them rather than letting them stay on an ineffective treatment and fail. "

This research was supported by a grant from Phillip Morris USA; the company had no role in the planning and execution of the study, data analysis or publication of the results. Jed Rose is one of the inventors of the nicotine patch and received royalties in the past from sales of certain nicotine patches

Thursday 9 July 2009

Quit smoking... So what are the options and aids ..?

what quit smoking options are there. In theory, the list could be endless ranging from quitting with ones will-power to the use of acupuncture and even hypnosis. The article below lists remedies and therapies that are available to people wanting to quit smoking.

Most Common Quitting Smoking Methods.

If you have ever tried to quit smoking, you probably know how difficult it can be. Within 5 seconds of taking a puff of smoke, nicotine travels directly to the brain. It tells the brain to release chemicals that make you want to smoke more. Quitting is hard. Usually people make 5 to 7 attempts or more before they are finally able to quit. Studies have shown that each time you try to quit, you will be stronger and will have learned more about what made you slip. Anyone can quit smoking if they set their heart to it and. It does not matter about age, health, or lifestyle. Having a quit plan is important and the support of others is also an important ingredient. The first step in quitting is to pick a quit date, decide a plan on how you are going to quit, keep a positive attitude and go for it!

The most common smoking cessation methods are:

Cold Turkey:If you're a pack-a-day smoker, this means going from 20 to 0 cigarettes in the matter of a day. With the "cold turkey" method, you completely stop your smoking all at once, relying on your will power to fight your nicotine addiction.

Gradual Reduction:A slow gradual reduction in the number of cigarettes you smoke over time is a method that many people try. Methods include smoking only half the cigarette, waiting an hour longer each day before lighting up your first cigarette or smoking only during odd or even hours. Although you are weaning yourself from addiction, you are still prolonging your exposure to the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy:NRTThese products replace some of the nicotine that you used to get from smoking. Nicotine replacement is used to wean you off nicotine by replacing the very high concentrations of nicotine you get from smoking with much lower doses delivered more slowly. It is a means of delivering nicotine without the harmful tar, gases and other elements of smoking. NRT reduces the cravings for cigarettes and the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting. NRT is the most throughly researched method and tests have shown that, used correctly, it will double your chance of success - which is good news for those who have found withdrawal very hard on previous attempts. If you smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking, then you are more likely to benefit from NRT.

To check you are using NRT properly, always follow the manufacturers' instructions. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are not sure. NRT is much safer than smoking but if you have a medical condition, any health worries or are pregnant, it is important that you talk to your pharmacist /doctor first.

There are several forms of nicotine replacement available - patches, gum, lozenge, nasal spray, inhalator and lolipops. All of these products are available on NHS prescription. In addition, it is possible to purchase them from pharmacists and some are available from supermarkets and other retail outlets. Many of these products offer programmes of support to help smokers through the quitting process.

The patch gives you a continual supply of nicotine at a low dose while you are wearing it - so you can't respond quickly to a craving or a stressful moment. The gum and the spray deliver a higher dose quickly so you can respond to a craving with a "quick fix", as with cigarettes. If you smoke steadily through the day, the patch may suit you better. If you smoke mainly in response to cravings or stress, the gum or spray might be more flexible for you. One study has compared the effectiveness of gum, patch, spray and inhalator and found that they are similarly effective.

Patches, Gum, Nasal Spray ,Inhaler
Zyban:Zyban is an anti-smoking pill that seems to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke, and it contains no nicotine. The action of the drug is still not fully understood, but it seems to have an effect on the chemicals in the brain associated with nicotine addiction (which include beta-endorphins, acetylcholine, dopamine and norepinephrine).

Chantix:Chantix is a selective nicotinic receptor modulator used as part of a program to help you quit smoking.

Low-Level Laser Therapy:Low-level laser therapy utilizes principles similar to the ancient healing art of acupuncture - a technique of inserting and gently stimulating hair-thin needles into specific points of the body to trigger a natural healing response. Laser Intervention's low-level lasers simulate a very similar response by emitting a fine-point "cold laser" into your skin which stimulates your body's endorphin production system. Endorphins are natural chemicals in your body that signal your internal system to decrease stress and increase energy. Consistent absorption of nicotine into your body through cigarette smoking soon allows nicotine to take over and control your body's endorphin reproduction system. By naturally restoring your body's endorphin levels through low-level laser therapy, Laser Intervention can then remove the hold that nicotine has on your system.

The same low-level laser therapy for Smoking Cessation can also be very effective for Weight Loss and Stress Management. For more information about the process refer to Low-Level Laser FAQ e-book.

Hypnosis:Hypnosis in private sessions may be beneficial, although there is no strong evidence to confirm claims made in small studies that it is any better than other interventions.

Acupuncture:Acupuncture is a healing technique derived from ancient Chinese medicine. As with hypnosis, acupuncture works for those with a strong desire to quit.

I presented the entire article for your information. As you may well be aware, prescription drugs according to an earlier article are not considered safe for would be non-smokers. In the light of that information, I would recommend that you do not rely on prescrition drugs. If you are using any prescrption medicines as listed above then I would suggest that you stop taking them with immediate affect. I would refer you back to your doctor so that you could ask for an alternative medication/therapy.

Whatever therapy you choose please don't lose focus. If you have quit then do not give to temptation and if you are undecided then decide and quit now.

Stop smoking video.. Check it out now!

Quit smoking has uploaded a video to help people kick their habit.

What do you think?

Unplanned quit smoking endeavours do succeed.. find out why?

Quit smoking success may well be the result of years of subconcious planning. This statement will explain why some people quit suddenly and never go back. Medical evidence suggests that our quit smoking decisions remain in the conflict phase for years whilst the decision to quit moves forward to finally quit.

Therefore, when the person takes action. Their action is based on years of planning that they may not be aware of. It would appear that what we see, hear and envisage impacts are thinking and decision making. In reference smoking, we are now explosed to so many negative information that such information is bound to influence our thinking. The findings of the scientific community confirm that view and proves that successful outcome takes time.

New Study Shows Many Unplanned Quit Smoking Attempts Are Successful

Data published in the journal, Nicotine and Tobacco Research, shows that many U.S. quit attempts are unplanned and can be a successful route to cessation. In the study, almost 40 percent of subjects reported that their most recent quit attempt started without any advance planning, suggesting that for some smokers, setting an advance quit date may not be as necessary as once thought.

While a period of planning prior to quitting has long been thought to allow smokers time to prepare themselves for their quit attempt, the study explores the various reasons as well as demographic and psychographic data which may contribute to a smoker deciding to quit spontaneously.

"The study examines the possibility that while quit attempts may seem like spontaneous efforts on the surface, they may actually be the result of prolonged subconscious dissatisfaction with or concern about one's smoking. The results do not discredit planning out a quit attempt, however, a smoker needs to determine what may be the best approach to ensure long-term cessation," said Dr. Saul Shiffman, professor in the departments of psychology and pharmaceutical science at the University of Pittsburgh and study co-author. "All smokers should consider ways to manage tough situations such as cravings and withdrawal symptoms to ensure long-term success.

"Smokers who make an unplanned quit attempt can improve their chances significantly by getting help and support from proven stop smoking tools such as therapeutic nicotine products like Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) CQ(R) and Commit(R). Consistent with their FDA-approved labeling, therapeutic nicotine products help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking. Smokers who quit spontaneously can also access therapeutic nicotine medicines which are available over the counter without a doctor's prescription at more than 35,000 retail outlets.

About the Study

A study of 1,700 adults (900 adults age 18 and over who currently smoke cigarettes every day and 800 adults, age 18 and over, who previously smoked every day but quit between one month and ten years ago) were recruited from an online U.S. market research database (Survey Sampling International, Shelton, CT) and completed an online survey. Random samples of both panels were sent an e-mail that contained a link to an online survey.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R) and NicoDerm(R)CQ(R), and Commit(R), as well as many medicine cabinet staples -- alli(R), Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R), and TUMS(R) -- which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline - one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies - is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. Source: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

Final comment.

I am inclined to conclude that pharmaceuticals are less interested in the well being of their consumers and more in their profit making endeavour. They are in the business of making money and not providing health care.

My second point is reference quit smoking is whether the successful unplanned quitters did rely on drugs. My own opinion is probably not so much.

It will be interesting to find out what these smokers actually did post their decision to quit. Did they use drugs that the pharmaceuticals are marketing or some natural remedy if any?.

Maybe someone who quit smoking recently could post their log for us all.

Wednesday 8 July 2009

Quitting Smoking is harder for women... Read more..

Quitting Smoking is really very very hard if you don't have the will power to do it. On the hand, the strong willed amongst us will find it really easy to quit smoking, become independent and resume normal lives again.

On the face of it, it would seem that problems associated with the smoking addiction are shared equally between men and women. However, evidence suggests that men folks find it generally easier to quit when compared to their female counter-parts. This article below discusses this issue in some detail.

Smoking Cessation harder For Women Than Men.

Women appear to have a tougher time quitting smoking than men, according to researchers at Women's Health Research at Yale.

While the percentage of men nationally who have given up cigarettes between 1965 and 2006 was 54.5 percent, the rate of decline among women was less steep, at 47.5 percent.

Consequently, the gap in the percentages of male and female smokers has narrowed. In 1965, slightly more than half of all men smoked, while about a third of women did. Today 23.3 percent of men smoke, compared to 18.6 percent of women.

Here we talked to Carolyn Mazure, Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry and director of the research program, about why women are not kicking the habit at the same rate as men.

Q: So what does the research show?

A: Well, the first thing I want to say is that smoking remains a serious public health issue. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and illness in the U.S. Those deaths and morbid occurrences are from cancers, respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease.

Q: And why is it harder for women to quit smoking?

A: That's a lot of interest to us. It appears as though when men quit smoking, the most prominent symptoms of withdrawal are biological symptoms of craving.However, we find women are more likely to use cigarettes to manage moods, to deal with stress and to control weight. In other words, women are smoking for different reasons, and if you're not helping with those particular reasons for smoking in your cessation treatment, you wouldn't necessarily expect your treatment to work.

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A good example is the nicotine patch, which often is considered the first line of treatment for smoking. The research data on the nicotine patch suggest that women do less well quitting smoking when using the patch than men do, probably because it targets symptoms of craving rather than the symptoms that are more prominent for women.

So this begins to make an argument for gender-specific approaches to smoking cessation. ... With the medication, Zyban (the generic is bupropion), it appears that women do as well in quitting when using this treatment as men do. ... Zyban can help with mood symptoms. It was originally developed as an antidepressant drug, Wellbutrin. That's an important part of the story in that we do think there is a relationship between depressed mood and smoking.

Q: Are women moodier than men or less good at managing stress?

A: I wouldn't say that at all, but we clearly know that the rates of depression are higher in women than in men, not only in this country, but in the world.We find stress a pathway to depression in both men and women, although stress appears to be a more potent predictor of depression in women than men. Knowing that, we can understand how women would be attempting to use a variety of strategies to handle stress, including smoking. Nicotine can help someone reduce anxiety and modulate mood. It does have transient positive effects. But those positive effects are not worth the long-term health risk by any measure.

Q: Cigarette smoking does affect weight, right?

A: Yes, it can. When people quit smoking, it's not uncommon to gain a few pounds. Often this is a deterrent, particularly among women.I think it's very important that women know the truth of the matter: You have to deal with the fact that you may gain some weight and prepare for that, and really factor that into whatever cessation program you undertake. ... The main concept is to include some form of exercise and support. And the exercise should be something that is manageable and really fits into your day.

Q: Does the menstrual cycle have any effect on attempts to quit smoking?

A: There are data to suggest that the menstrual cycle may play a role in affecting one's ability to quit smoking. We tell women to think about the time within their menstrual cycle that is most difficult personally and advise them not to quit during that time because you are likely to have a harder time resisting cigarettes during that time. In addition, before you quit, prepare for that time in your cycle. What are you going to do when you feel badly? Call a [quit smoking hot line], take a walk, you have to have a plan.

Q: Do you think there should be special cessation programs for women?

A: I think in general we need to integrate the care for women into the mainstream of health care, but importantly, we have to be gender-sensitive in terms of what works for women and what works for men.

Evidently, I was wrong. A clear error on my part.. Read more ...

I stated that Obama quit smoking and that smokers who wish to give up should learn from that. Knowing that the most most powerful man in the world quit smoking will have served as an incentive indeed for other smokers.

However, it appears that my information was incorrect. Fact is, as you will clearly see from the article below, Obama is going through same problems that other smokers face when they are trying to quit.

There is now new data in the public domain which proves that quitting smoking improves the quality of life. That said smokers still fear that somehow they will have lost something and so they continue to be smokers.

Clearly, there are some psychological triggers which stop smokers from taking action to quit and stick with their decision.

Why Obama and smokers fear quitting.

Most who smoke or chew nicotine have deep fears that quitting will suck the joy from life. New research demolishes this "unhappiness" fiction. A May study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that successful quitters were 21 times more likely to report feeling happier after quitting smoking (69.3%) than feeling less happy (3.3%).

President Obama is far from alone in harboring unrealistic beliefs about decline in the quality of life after ending all nicotine use. But how can false fears about the consequences of successful quitting be greater than fear of smoking yourself to death? What could possibly motivate President Obama to endure two years of media ridicule over his failure to stop both smoking nicotine and chewing it? It's simple. Like 30 million daily U.S. nicotine users, his deep inner mind is convinced that his next nicotine fix is central to his survival.

According to Joel Spitzer, a leading U.S. cessation educator, fear of success is less recognized yet more pronounced among quitters than fear of failure. It's more real, more powerful and probably stops more people from coming to stop smoking clinics than fear of failure, notes Spitzer.

"The thought that they're never going to smoke again for the rest of their lives will scare them," says Spitzer. "I point out that we're not trying to get them off for the rest of their lives. We're just trying to help them off a day at a time, but really a day at a time for just a couple of weeks, the duration of the program. I make it clear to them that at the end of two weeks they will have a choice of whether they go back to smoking or not. And that's all we're trying to do. We're trying to get people to a point where they have a choice."

"If a person decides to go back to smoking on the first or second day of a clinic, the third day of a clinic, they decided nothing. Their addiction called the shots. The addiction was alive and well, these people were in withdrawal, they wanted to stop the withdrawal and they relapsed," says Spitzer.

Many of Joel Spitzer's hundreds of free online articles remind smokers that once free enough so that it's them, not their addiction, making decisions that they need to be honest about that decision. There is no such thing as having just one, that like alcoholism, smoking and relapse is an all or nothing proposition.

So why do users develop profound fear about ending nicotine use? "That fear is based on the fact that they have a whole bunch of false beliefs about cigarettes, that they're doing things for them, that they're making life possible, things that not only are cigarettes not capable of doing but in many cases the cigarettes are making the situation worse than if not smoking at all."

A core user belief is that nicotine relieves stress. It's a false belief that then Senator Obama hinted at last October when asserting that he "fell off the wagon," smoked and relapsed. "But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack," he was quoted as saying (it should be noted that he was referring to the smoke-free wagon, not the nicotine-free wagon, a wagon 28 months of chronic nicotine gum use has kept him from climbing aboard).

"They're afraid they can't deal with stress without cigarettes," says Spitzer. “Stress makes your urine acidic, it makes you lose nicotine, it puts you in drug withdrawal. When you take a cigarette under stress you are not doing it because it's calming down your stress but to stop the drug withdrawal."

The same happens when drinking alcohol explains Spitzer. When smokers drink they smoke more. "If you ask them why they smoke more they think it's a social thing. It's not a social thing. Alcohol does what stress does. It makes them lose nicotine at an accelerated pace and they have to smoke a lot more when drinking."

"They are afraid they can't deal with stress. They are afraid they can't drink anymore. They're afraid they can't talk on the phone anymore without a cigarette. They're afraid they can't get out of bed anymore. This is where fear of quitting comes in because they have smoking so tied into everything they do, that when they first think about quitting they're not thinking about just giving up cigarettes. They think they're giving up everything they do with cigarettes. Now life becomes scary."

For years smokers lived trapped between urge and crave anxiety beatings after failing to resupply sagging nicotine reserves soon enough, and dopamine "aaah" reward sensations surrounding replenishment. The thick bars on their neuro-chemical prison are nicotine use conditioning that has left them totally convinced that nicotine use defines who they are, gives them their edge, helps them cope and that life without it is unthinkable. It's a cell from which half won't escape before false fears associated with quitting cost them their life.

"Oh sure, smoking may kill them five years down the road, ten years, maybe twenty years down the road," says Spitzer. "But my gosh, the day they quit smoking, well, their life is over. That is the fear they're walking around with."

"It's based on a false premise," notes Spitzer. "Their life isn't over the day they quit smoking. They may have to live with withdrawal but that's going to be a short term process. Get through three days, it'll ease up, that physical aspect, and then it's a matter of teaching themselves how to do everything they ever did with a cigarette, without taking a cigarette. Quitting smoking is a learning experience."

According to the new study's authors, which suggests 2,100% odds of feeling happier, "Ex-smokers overwhelmingly reported being happier now than when they were smoking." "It provides at least partial reassurance to would-be quitters that quality of life is likely to improve if they succeed."

Cheryl, a 55 year-old 40-year smoker is a recent example. "I was really nervous about quitting but I did that one week ago. And do you know what? I've been calmer, happier and slept better than I have in years! After reading here about how quitting affects blood sugar I made it a point to make sure I always had juice handy. And it worked!"

Cathy stopped smoking a bit earlier, on April 10, 2009. "Earlier today I happened to be thinking my husband and I seem to be on a happier plane the last few weeks and I wondered if it is coincidental with my not smoking or if my not smoking has had a positive effect on my marriage? Hey this is pretty cool, I'm not smoking and I think I got it this time."

A flood of recent studies teach that nicotine addiction is about living a lie. It's about an external chemical taking the minds priorities teacher hostage. It's about the brain's "pay attention" pathways compelling us to believe that that next nicotine fix is as important as eating when hungry or drinking fluids when thirsty. We all know what food cravings feel like. We also know the dopamine "aaah" sensation that arrives following obedience to them. Imagine your brain being fooled into seeing nicotine as food: food cravings, nicotine cravings - food dopamine "aaah" sensations, nicotine "aaahs."

So how did 40 million U.S. ex-smokers succeed? They harnessed their fears for the three days needed to achieve peak withdrawal, and then stayed brave long enough to begin noticing that every activity they did while using nicotine could now be done as well or better without it. They awoke to realize that nicotine addiction is about living a lie.

Treating nicotine dependency as a true chemical addiction makes recovery's rules simple. In fact there's only one rule. Just one taste of nicotine and relapse occurs. Oh, you may think you've gotten away with it. But just one puff and up to 50% of the brain's a4b2-type acetylcholine receptors become occupied by nicotine, creating a dopamine explosion that soon has the brain begging for more. There was always only one rule ... no nicotine today, never take another puff, dip or chew!

Tuesday 7 July 2009

Prescription drugs may not be the answer to Quit Smoking.. Read the Story

Visiting your Doctor is the first and recommended course of action if you want help with quitting cigarettes/smoking. There is some evidence in the public domain suggesting that prescription drugs may not be the answer that you are looking for. These drugs can have unknown side-effects including depression. Up unitl now, these symptoms were seen as a natural consequence of reduced levels of nicotene in the smokers body.

In the light of the article below, that view, assertion and conclusion is questionable. It is now thought that the side-effects most smokers experience when they attempt to quit smoking are induced by the prescription drugs they are taking.

Quit smoking but risk serious mental side effects..

The smoking cessation drugs Chantix (from Pfizer) and Zyban (from GlaxoSmithKline) may be associated with serious mental side effects including: changes in behavior, depressed mood, hostility, and suicidal thoughts.

At first glance, many may discount these as simply being a side effect of nicotine withdrawal since Chantix and Zyban do not replace nicotine, but some people experienced the reported adverse events even while they were still smoking. Nicotine withdrawal side effects include: depression, anxiety, irritability, restlessness, and sleep disturbances.

Since the risk of preventable disease and death may be more serious than the risk of these possible side effects, all alternatives should be weighed to decide if Chantix or Zyban should be taken to help quit smoking.

The FDA’s review of nicotine patches did not identify a clear link between nicotine replacement and suicidal events and many smoking cessation products are available over-the-counter, including nicotine patches and gum.

Smoking cessation is more effective when friends and family support the decision to quit. Local support for smokers and families is available though New Jersey Quitnet and The Institute for Prevention at Saint Barnabas.

The key points that come from the article are rely on support from friends, family and other support services that offer help, support and assistance for would be non-smokers.

News story about 'How to quit smoking'. Obama quit smoking!

This is a must read news item for all of you folks out there who are trying to kick their smoking habit. Smoking has become such an anti-social habit that smokers have been assigned the status of being social outcasts.

There is of course the serious health risks that smokers run by continuing to smoke against better knowledge. Below is a graphic representation, thanks to internet, of the risks that smokers run by lighting up a cigarette. Every cigarette increases the risk of disease.

Here is the news story entitled "How to quit smoking". Let's hope this story has one piece of vital advise that you can use to help you quit.

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How to quit smoking

Unlike President Barack Obama, Eric Wolbert has been a non-smoker for 30 days.He quit his pack-a-day habit because he has watched cigarettes hurt too many people, including his grandparents, who died of lung cancer, he said.Plus, smoking's getting too expensive."You can't find a pack that costs less than $4 anymore, and those are nasty ones," said Wolbert, 36, of Waterloo, Ill.

Wolbert signed up for a seven-week group therapy program called "Freedom From Smoking" at Washington University in St. Louis.

This is Wolbert's third attempt at quitting. The first two times, his doctor prescribed Chantix, a drug that blocks nicotine receptors in the brain, and wished him luck.

Health and family organizations believe that the economic downturn and higher tobacco taxes make this a good time for health-care providers to help people like Wolbert quit smoking. And yet, they say, that's not happening.

Even Obama recently admitted that he continues to smoke occasionally, despite a promise to his family to quit.

The American Legacy Foundation in Springdale, Ariz., which focuses on family health and wellness, conducted a recent survey of smokers. It found that about 70 percent of Americans are thinking about quitting, but only 32 percent have talked to a health-care provider about it.

And even when they did, slightly more than a third were offered prescriptions for over-the-counter nicotine-replacement products or prescription drugs such as Chantix. Only 15 percent were offered self-help materials, informed about classes and counseling programs, shown a video about quitting or referred to a cessation specialist.

Matthew Kuhlenbeck, program officer with the non-profit Missouri Foundation for Health, attributes this to a prevailing "don't ask don't tell" attitude in doctors' offices.

And that's a shame, he said.

"In many ways, doctors are the best advocate for getting an individual to never start or [to] quit," Kuhlenbeck said.

Experts point to embarrassment on the part of smokers who have tried unsuccessfully to quit in the past as one reason they don't bring it up.

"Maybe it's OK for them to ask their doctor for help the first time, but what happens when you go back a year later and say, 'I need another prescription,' or 'I need to try again,' " said Michelle R. Bernth, spokeswoman for the American Lung Association. "It adds another layer to the smoking cessation that's not there with other conversations in doctors' offices. Although it's completely normal to have to try six to nine times, a lot of people view it as a failure.

"A lot of smokers think they can quit cold turkey.

James Harris, a retired gas company supervisor, tried and succeeded 22 years ago.

"I didn't talk to a doctor about it," he said.

Kuhlenbeck said a multiprong approach that includes prescriptions for nicotine-replacement products or prescription drugs combined with counseling has proved most effective.

According to the American Lung Association, a number of states, including Illinois, cover counseling and smoking cessation products for state employees and Medicaid clients. Some require private insurers to cover such programs.

"Doctors should be referring them to a counselor who can talk about when and why they smoke," Kuhlenbeck said. "What are the triggers? Then you balance that counseling with pharmaceutical therapies and figure out how they affect the smoker.

"In Obama's case ... What were the odds that President Barack Obama could make good on a vow to his family to give up a 30-year habit right before assuming such a demanding job? "Highly improbable," said Ovide Pomerleau, a professor of psychiatry and nicotine addiction expert at the University of Michigan. "It doesn't surprise me, given his heroic schedule of activities, that he would have some trouble giving up something that has been an easy crutch to carry him through for so many years."

Monday 6 July 2009

Smokers being incentivised to quit with higher taxes on tobacco.

Increasing taxes on tobacco is the right strategy to encourage smokers to quit. I normally don't agree with tax payers being burdened with higher and higher taxes. In this situation, this is the perfectly right thing to do. Hit them in their pockets and they may re-think about quitting altogether. Read the article and please send it to your friends and colleagues who are smokers or people who are thinging about quitting.

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Tax hike means it's a perfect time to quit smoking

OUR POSITION: Florida's cigarette tax hike is a healthy public policy. For individuals, it's time to fight higher taxes by giving up the smoking habit.

Cigarette smokers got another good reason to quit this week when Florida's tobacco tax jumped by $1 per pack.

As if the constant drum beat of bad news about the killer health effects of smoking weren't enough, they'll now feel the pain in their wallets.

On April 1, federal taxes rose 62 cents, to $1.01 per pack. Florida's tax rose from 34 cents to $1.34 on July 1, so a carton of cigarettes will now include $23.50 in combined taxes. Yikes.

We're for it. Florida's tax, last raised in 1990, had been ridiculously low. Florida now vaults from fourth lowest state tax to the middle, 22nd in the country. (Rhode Island's tax is highest, at $3.46.) In the midst of a severe budget crunch, the new tax is expected to bring in revenues of than $900 million a year.

But the greater impacts will be on the other side of the ledger. The Centers for Disease Control figures that illnesses related to smoking cost citizens $75 billion a year. Florida sells more cigarettes than any other state. By some estimates, medical costs for smoking-related diseases are some $6 billion a year here.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids cites studies that show that every 10 percent increase in cigarette prices cuts smoking rates by 4 percent, 7 percent among young people. The higher tax will save lives, especially in the long-term since it will stop youngsters from getting hooked in the first place. The Campaign estimates some 79,000 lives will be saved in the long run because of the higher tax.

We can't vouch for the specific figures -- statistics are famously fluid, to say the least -- but there is absolutely no doubt that the tax hike will stop more people from picking up the habit, will prompt more people to quit and will save us all in higher health care costs. Bottom line, it will prevent diseases from developing and save many lives.

But tobacco smoking is a nasty, addictive habit, and the additional costs will be a real burden for many tobacco-addicts. They may want to quit -- for financial, family or health reasons -- but it's rarely easy. If you've never gone through it, you may not know how agonizing it can be. So for those who don't smoke, it's important to encourage friends to quit now. Be supportive. Be a help.
And for those who want to quit, don't feel a need to go solo. There is a lot of support out there. Use it.

We suggest starting with on the Internet. Google "stop smoking" and go from there. You'll find plenty of good advice.

Smokefree.gov suggests using the START plan. Set a quitting date. Tell everyone you are planning to quit. Anticipate the "challenges." Remove tobacco from your life. Talk to a doctor.

A doctor may help steer your to one of the prescription drugs now available. We've seen a number of people use the prescription Chantix successfully. It's not cheap, but the cost is far less than continued smoking. Nicotine gum and patches also help many people.

You also have to understand your own behavioral triggers and the psychological impulses that contribute to the habit. Smokers need help to overcome their addiction, but there is plenty of it available.

The higher tax will push more people toward a healthier, smoke-free life. That's the ultimate benefit.

Sunday 5 July 2009

Still undecided about giving up smoking. Watch this video now!

This video gives you a shocking insight into the affects of smoking on your body, your internal organs. In short, smoking is intrumental in damaging your organs to such an extent that in the end they stop working which in turn leads to all sorts of complications No recommended for the feint hearted.

If you are serious about quitting smoking then this video will help you expedite your decision.

You may have gone to your doctor and asked his or her help with your intention to give up smoking. Your Doctor may well have told that smoking causes blockages of your blood vessels thereby depriving your body of much needed oxygen.

This video holds you by your hand and takes you on a tour of your body showing what your body goes through with each inhalation.

Having watched the video, you are still not sure or are undecided then I have no answer other than the comment that you are on course to a gauranteed self- destruction.

7611 People Quit Smoking, So can you!

This remarkable achievement, which has made headline news today, is a result of help and information that is available to people who want to kick their smoking habit. Quit smoking service is available in the North of England; North Yorkshire. Known as "York's quit smoking service", it has been very successful in helping people quit in the space of a year.

According to the North Yorkshire quit smoking service co-ordinator Margaret Hewitson, helping people to stop smoking is the key to improving the health of the individual smoker and the people around him/her. The affects of secondary or passive smoking which impact the health and thereby the lives of people around the smoker are eliminated altogether when a person quits.

Evidence suggests that there is a shift towards a free from smoking society. Smoking is seen more and more both as an anti-social habit and posing a risk to smokers’ health and others. Since the smoking ban came into effect in 2007 coupled with a series of hard hitting and graphic television advertising campaigns aimed at smokers there is greater awareness about the risks. The resulting change in attitudes towards this addiction is a testimony that the hard hitting massages work.

Research figures show smokers in the UK fell to the lowest level in 2007. UK smoking population fell to 21% of the total adult population. The most revealing statistic was that 66% of the smoking population expressed a desire to quit smoking. Accordingly, health issue was sighted as the number one reason for wanting to quit smoking.

The most compelling feature of this research was that there is a desire, a wish and a greater commitment on the part of the smokers to want to quit. The success stories that we are seeing are for the most part because people want to quit smoking for one of many reasons. Health, money worries, pressure from family, pressure from work colleagues and becoming a social outcast by virtue of ones smoking habits could influence a quit smoking decision.

The key that underpins wanting to stop smoking is a decision followed by action. According to Mrs James, who is now a reformed smoker, and I quote “I was shown a horrific film featuring a heavy smoker who developed throat cancer in his later life. He was talking through a pipe. I could not stop crying. That film put me off smoking in an instant and I have never looked back. It has been three years since I touched a cigarette”. What would to say to people who have million and one excuses why they cannot quit this habit? “Well, anyone can give up if they want to. It is as simple at that”

Finally, the quit smoking success stories fromYorkshire, the public record research data and our interview with Mrs James shows that quitting smoking is the best decision you can make. The alternative is either to become part of the statistics making up the numbers who die from smoking related conditions or add to the statistic of success stories. Become 7612th person to quit smoking. Do it now.

Saturday 4 July 2009

Quit Smoking 4th July Blog!

There are two very significant aspects to this blog and these two important features can be found in the title of the blog namely "Quit Smoking 4th July".

Let's take a closer look at this blog. Smoking is responsible for nearly 500,000 deaths every year in the United States alone. According to figures men who smoke are 23 times more likely to die from smoking related cancer than their non-smoking counter-parts.

The above stats are a tip of the iceberg. The figures for the worldwide smoking related deaths is much worse. Therefore, urgent action needs to be taken and now. But the action needs to be taken by the smokers themselves.

This brings me to the next point. 4th July is a major milestone in the American history. 4th of July is the American independance day. Americans all over the world celebrate this day because this day marked a new beginning for America and A.mericans

You need to make a new start. My aim here in this blog is to encourage you to make the 4th July as your major milestone when you kick this life threatening habit.

I promise you by quitting, you will:-

1) Feel better once the level of nicotene start to deminish from you system,

2) Have better quality to your life and health which others around will notice and comment upon,

3) Smell less. How about that nasty lingring smell that follows you and surrounds where ever you are and go? When you make a decison and a commitment to start affresh that nasty smell will be the thing of the past unhealthy life that you led.

4) Not become part of the 500,000 static. According to figures, men who smoke are 23 times more likely to die from smoking related cancer than those who are non-smokers. Let me tell you one huge intant change you will have made to your life by saying "NO" . By your decision to quit smoking, you have instantly improved your chances of living longer and pre-empting cancer by no less than 23 times. That ought to be worth quitting smoking.

5) Enjoy your family and be with your family longer. If you are father give some consieration to the fact that you childern need to for everything else but above all they need you for a role model. Don't deprive them of a role model and a parent. Your family obligations ought to be worth something in your decision to quit this life destroying habit. Do it now!.

This is not an exhaustive list. This list could go on and on. My point is, your 4th of July starts today so quit now and start a new life. Don't forget to celebrate this major decison of yours every year.

Finally don't forget to send me your story. I promise to publish your success story on my blog.

Last but not least, this blog made its debut on 4th July ....

Quit Smoking, make 4th of July your Independance Day & start affresh.

Good luck with you decision. Go forward. Don't look back.