Smoke cessation is one process that many cigarette smokers would want to undertake. Upon learning about the health hazards of smoking, many people who smoke wish they didn’t because it’s extremely difficult to quit smoking.

One main reason why people couldn’t stop smoking is due to nicotine addiction. People suffering from nicotine addiction feel like they are trapped in a deadly maze that seems to be like there’s no way out. They end up living with dread and fear to the habit that they feel they couldn’t live without.

Smoking can bring serious and deadly effects to human health. Cigarettes contain thousands of toxic chemicals that affect the functions of internal organs and weaken the immune system. Smoking claims 5 million human lives annually, which means that a life is lost every eight seconds. If there is such a perfect time to quit smoking it is now!

The harmful ingredients of cigarettes affect the human body in several ways. Carbon monoxide binds to the hemoglobin of the red blood cells in which affected cells are prevented from carrying sufficient amount of oxygen thereby causing breathing difficulties. Nicotine, on the other hand, can reach the brain in seconds after puffing a cigarette. In seconds, it can affect women’s breast milk, thus threatening not only the health of pregnant women but the precarious health of their innocent baby as well.

People who smoke are also most likely to develop cancer as tobacco smoke contains carcinogens or cancer-causing agents that damage the genes that control the growth of cells resulting to abnormal and rapid growth of cancer cells. Carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene mixes in the cells in the major organs and in airways of smoking individuals. Smokers also tend to have lower level of antioxidants that are vital to the repair of the damaged cells.

Another effect of smoking is through oxidative stress. Oxidative stress not only expedites the aging process. It also contributes to the development of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic lung injuries.

In addition, smoking also affects the ability of the body to prevent infection and repair tissues, resulting in serious gum diseases like periodontitis (teeth and bone loss). Smokers are also most likely to develop peptic ulcers which, if severe, could lead to death.

Fortunately, there are several methods that could aid smoking cessation for smokers who are decisive to quit smoking. Hypnosis, for example, is one way that has been proven effective by those who succeeded in quitting smoking. It works under the theory that nicotine addiction is ninety percent psychological and that using one’s subconscious mind is a powerful tool to emancipate smokers from their life threatening habit.

Smoking is a deadly habit and yet it is one of our rights as citizens of a free country. There are many political, economic, and social reasons why smoking is not entirely banned despite its dangers. But like any prohibited drugs, smoking can be as lethal and as addictive. If someone you love is in danger from this unhealthy habit, then you should try and convince them to stop. Here are some tips that have helped thousands of people to quit smoking.

• Remember that they are in charge of their lives – People who are above eighteen are legally allowed to decide for themselves. The sad part about smokers is that their free will is wasted on something addictive, which in default takes away that free will. Nagging, criticizing, or shaming will not help a person get rid of the addiction. The best thing you can do is listen to them and convince them that they are worth the change.

• Encourage him or her to join smoking cessation groups – Being around people who want to quit smoking helps. Support him or her by motivating them to attend sessions. There are some people who do not like these groups. If that is the case, do not force them to do it. What you can do is try some other methods that will work for them.

• Help them indulge in healthy activities – Some smokers who have better things to do or to occupy themselves with tend to smoke less sticks in a day. Others tend to smoke more when under stress. It is a case to case basis but one thing universal is that when they indulge in sports or any physical activity, they tend to be more encouraged to stay fit. Go with him or her to the gym or challenge him to a sport against you.

• Stick with positive reinforcement but do not hesitate to remind them if you have to – Some people help by getting rid of ash trays and the smell of tobacco in their homes or car. Others verbally remind the person that he or she is in the process of quitting or is a non smoker. Telling them in a calm but firm tone will remind them each time someone offers them a stick of cigarette.

There are many ways on how to make someone quit smoking. You have an important role in the process. Smokers are known to succeed quitting when they are inspired by someone or a situation to do so. Helping them realize their health is valuable is the main key to this realization.

A stick of cigarette has been with you through thick and thin and has given you much comfort and pleasure during stressful situations. This is probably the reason why you just can’t let go of smoking. It is, indeed, a hard habit to break and you have to want to quit smoking before you can get successful with it.

A smoker who plans to permanently quit smoking would have to be fully committed and has a strong desire to do so. Coupled with a strong desire and commitment, he can manage to stop smoking and remain a non-smoker for the rest of his life using any of the following methods.

Medication Treatments

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Products such as nicotine nasal spray, nicotine patches and nicotine lozenges are used in nicotine replacement therapy. Using this therapy, patients are given measured doses of nicotine, which help them stop their cravings and reduce the symptoms associated with smoking cessation.
• Non-Nicotine Medications. These types of medications are anti-smoking pills that are only for short-term use. Currently, there are only two non-nicotine medications proven to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Chantix).

Non-medication Treatments

• Acupuncture. This method involves inserting thin needles into various skin areas that affect the energy that flows to the common organs affected by smoking, such as the lungs, throat and mouth. This method is also known to release endorphins, making one’s body relax and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
• Hypnosis. This process allows one’s mind to relax as he thinks about a desired result. In this case, a person desires to stop smoking and be a non-smoker for the rest of his life. His subconscious mind, which accepts all kinds of information whether real or imagination, will process his desired result and will accept it as a reality.
• Motivational Therapy. This type of therapy won’t really require professional therapists. Self-help books and websites offer thousands of reasons for smokers to quit. These books and websites also discuss things that every smoker needs to know about smoking, from health risks and complications to how they can effectively get rid of the habit.
• Behavioural Therapy. This refers to learning the ways on how a smoker can better break his habit, and cope with the withdrawal symptoms associated with it. Many health organizations, such as the American Lung Association, offer this kind of service and even have free online smoking cessation programs.

While all these methods are known to effectively help smokers quit smoking, the success of such methods mainly depends on the person himself. A smoker wanting to quit has to remain determined and committed to his goal during the whole process.

Currently considered the most effective smoking cessation method, acupuncture continues to gain the trust and interest of smokers who are determined to quit smoking. Smokers who resort to acupuncture are those who have the strong desire to quit now rather than put it off.

Acupuncture refers to the stimulation of anatomical locations on the skin using different techniques. The process has long been a component of China’s healthcare system, and is done by penetrating the skin using thin needles of different lengths. Acupuncture treatment focuses on various aspects of nicotine addiction, including cravings, restlessness, irritability, and jitters; all of which are what people experience when they quit smoking.

Acupuncture, however, is neither a panacea nor a magic cure to smoking. It just helps you reduce your cravings for nicotine and lessen the withdrawal symptoms that are associated with smoking cessation. Acupuncture also helps you better relax and aids in detoxifying your body.

Treatment using acupuncture varies from one person to another. A person who smokes a pack of cigarette a day will have a different treatment compared to a person who smokes occasionally. The type of treatment will be determined during the initial consultation where the patient is asked about his or her smoking habits.

During an acupuncture session, the acupuncturist targets and stimulates major points in your body that directly influence those organs that are commonly affected by smoking, such as lungs, mouth and throat. It also includes parts of the body that affect the brain, which generates cravings for nicotine. While it can be real hard to imagine having to stick those needles into your body, acupuncture is guaranteed painless, safe and effective.

Aside from needle insertion, some acupuncturists also advise their patients to take Chinese herbal medicines that will better help them lessen their nicotine cravings and remove toxins in between the sessions.

The acupuncturist, however, is not the only one responsible for stopping your smoking habit. You also have to do your job by remaining motivated and determined to attend all the sessions that you’re supposed to attend. For you to achieve the full benefits of this method, attend sessions at least twice a week for three weeks and don’t miss one.

Acupuncture is an alternative method that is worth considering if you want to permanently quit smoking. People who have undergone a series of acupuncture sessions have become non-smokers permanently. But while it may not help some smokers fully recover from smoking, it can certainly help reduce nicotine cravings and lessen the amount of cigarettes that are used up every day.

A lot of people find it hard to quit smoking. It’s not just because of the withdrawal symptoms that come with it, but merely because this is a bad and addictive habit that is just hard to stay away from.

According to a study, cigarettes are found to contain over 4,000 chemical compounds; 60 of these compounds are carcinogens while 200 are poisonous compounds. These figures are probably enough to tell you just how destructive cigarette smoking is to your health. But with the following smoking-related health problems, you might just start thinking about quitting this addictive habit.

Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among smokers. Smoking hardens and narrows the arteries which are carriers of blood away from the heart. Once these are narrowed and hardened, blood clotting occurs causing heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases, including vascular diseases caused by damaged blood vessels; cerebrovascular diseases brought about by damaged arteries; stroke and coronary heart diseases.

Cancer

Statistics show that 90% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. The more sticks you use up every day, the higher your risk of getting lung cancer. The same happens when you started to smoke early in your life and when you inhale the smoke deeper.  Aside from lung cancer, smoking also causes cancer to various parts of the body, including throat, kidney, liver, oesophagus, and bladder.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Eighty percent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases are caused by smoking. Also known as COPD, this disease refers to the blockage of airflow passage, making breathing more difficult. COPD may include emphysema or breathlessness as caused by damaged air sacs; and chronic bronchitis.  Other respiratory problems associated with smoking include asthma, worsening colds and flu and tuberculosis complications.

Impotence

Research has also proved that men who are in their 30s and 40s have high risks of suffering from erectile dysfunction. Blood vessels, which are greatly affected by smoking, have to be always in good condition for them to carry blood into the penis.

These are just the major health problems that are associated with smoking. Until you quit smoking, you’ll never know how it has affected your overall health condition.

With all the campaigns and infomercials that encourage you to quit smoking, you’re more than aware of how dangerous cigarette smoking can be to your health. And probably, the message ‘smoking is bad for you’ has now become an understatement.

Statistics show that four out of five people gain weight after they quit smoking – the reason why most smokers can’t just get away from this bad habit. Nicotine is known to elevate metabolism and when you stop smoking, metabolism tends to slow down resulting to a slight weight gain. You also tend to eat more because you always want to put something into your mouth. But should you really put off quitting just to avoid these extra pounds?

We all know just how dangerous smoking is to one’s health, and there shouldn’t be any reason for you not to quit. And if gaining weight is the only thing that stops you from quitting, here are five simple tips that can help you successfully quit this habit without gaining weight.

• Exercise. Regular exercise burns calories and keeps you away from nicotine craving. Choose a series of exercise that appeals to you the most and make sure to do it regularly. While walking for at least 15 minutes every day is a good start, you can also do anaerobic exercises or strength training. And although enrolling in a gym or hiring a professional trainer is good, it won’t really be necessary if you can do well with walking, running and lifting small weights.

• Diet. Get used to a well-balanced diet composed of fresh fruits, green vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products. Avoid junk foods as these only help put on the pounds. Cut down on fats and replace them with complex carbohydrates. Reduce sweets intake but if you can’t stop your craving, use sugar substitutes or eat more fruits.

• Water. Drinking water helps flush away the cigarette toxins that your body has acquired.  It also boosts your body’s metabolism, and offsets weight gain. Drinking enough water also keeps your body well hydrated, making you feel well in general.

• Rest. Not having enough rest significantly affects all your weight loss efforts. Always find time to get enough sleep and take naps if you can.

Quitting smoking is not easy. And for you to get successful with your goal of quitting, you need to remain confident and committed to that goal.  Encourage and motivate yourself to do what you’re supposed to do and don’t just give in to temptations. With appropriate diet, exercise, water intake and rest, along with patience and discipline, you can successfully quit smoking without gaining weight.