Why is it so hard to quite smoking?The American novelist Mark Twain once said, “Quitting smoking is easy, I’ve done it many times.” Many smokers would clearly identify with this quote. Smokers year after year attempt a life free of cigarettes only to fail and start smoking again. Despite patches and advice, many are back smoking more than they originally were. To quit smoking is difficult and many people underestimate how hard it can be. Ozzy Osborne said in an interview with Howard Stern, “ Anyone who says cigarettes aren’t addictive are kidding themselves, I’ve battles every drug there is and the only one I haven’t conquered is cigarettes.” To quite smoking is difficult and one of the main reasons so many fail is they underestimate this fact. Giving up cigarettes can be like conquering any other drug. It needs to be approached in almost the same way or chances of success can get slim. All cigarettes contain Nicotine. Nicotine is quite addictive but grows in the tobacco plant naturally. However, the cigarette companies were accused of increasing the amount of Nicotine in the cigarettes. This was done intentionally to keep people addicted, keep people smoking and keep the profits rolling in. Nicotine can be as addictive a both heroine and cocaine. It is quickly absorbed into the body where is creates a very pleasant feeling for the smoker. As with any drug one must increase the usage to maintain this feeling. This is the reason why most smokers begin to increase the amount of cigarettes that they smoke. It is addictive both physical and mentally. To conquer Nicotine addiction the body must conquer the physical and mental need for the substance. When one attempt to quit or cut back on cigarettes, the body notices a difference in the supply of nicotine. When this occurs, withdrawal symptoms start to happen. These have a wide range and affect everyone differently, however some of the most common symptoms are: These symptoms are unpleasant but the alternative is much worse. Year after year, statistic show that those who smoke are at an increased risk of Cancer, Heart Disease and many other illnesses. Smokers suffer from colds and flu twice as often and non-smokers. Smokers also have a greater chance of experiencing premature aging and unpleasant discoloring of teeth and skin. When one quits smoking, the health benefits begin almost instantly. However, to maintain success, one must not underestimate what they are in for. Giving up cigarettes is hard but not impossible. If you try and fail, try again. The American Heart Association says don’t quit quitting. Eventually you ill get there. Many also say that the first few days are the hardest. Once the Nicotine has left your blood stream your system starts to adjust to being cigarette free. It is defiantly a challenge to quite smoking. Many underestimate what they will be in for when they first try. Cigarettes need to be approached like any other addiction; otherwise the chances of success are slim. However, one should defiantly try; the alternative will be for worse. |
