| Increase in number of people addicted to smoking is | | | | with people who smoke. |
| alarming. According to National Health Interview Survey | | | | How to get rid of smoking? |
| (NHIS) conducted in 2006, the estimated number of | | | | Quitting smoking is very difficult, as it is very tough to |
| smokers in US is 47.1 million. Out of which 26.2 million | | | | sustain the withdrawal symptoms. Self-motivation helps |
| (23.5%) are men and 20.9 million (18.1%) are women. | | | | in reducing the addiction of smoking. Herbal medicine |
| The tobacco in cigarette comprises of more than | | | | can be used to stop smoking, which pretend to give |
| 4000 chemical compounds, of which 400 are toxic | | | | the nicotine effect and avoids all the side effects. |
| substances. The main toxic substances are tar | | | | Natural sources to quit smoking: |
| (carcinogen), nicotine (addictive), carbon monoxide | | | | Some of the natural herbs that help in quitting smoking |
| (reduces oxygen in body), and components of gases | | | | are Oat Straw (Avina sativa), Lobelia (Lobelia inflata), |
| (which causes COPD). Research has revealed that | | | | Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), and St. John’s Wort |
| each cigarette decreases life by about 11 minutes. | | | | (Hypericum perforatum). Also, it is said that natural |
| Thus, smoking reduces life expectancy by seven to | | | | therapies like Acupuncture and Hypnotherapy helps in |
| eight years. | | | | quitting smoking. |
| Harmful effects of smoking: | | | | Techniques to quit Smoking: |
| When a person tries to smoke for first time he suffers | | | | • Music is excellent way to divert mind from |
| from cough, sore throat, nausea and other adverse | | | | desire to smoke. |
| feelings generated in body, as body knows that | | | | • Meditation helps to get control over mind |
| smoking is injurious to health. | | | | when a person has urge to smoke. |
| • Smokers frequently suffer from respiratory | | | | • Breathing exercises releases out all toxic |
| infections and several minor complaints such as cough | | | | substances that are concentrated in the body and |
| and cold. | | | | helps to have control over the desire to smoke. |
| • Smokers are sensitive to dreadful diseases | | | | • If a pinch of rock salt is placed at the tip of |
| such as cancer (lung, pancreas, bladder, kidneys, | | | | tongue, it reduces the feeling of desire to smoke. |
| oesophagus, cervical), heart diseases, cardiovascular | | | | • Consumption of vegetable juices (carrots), |
| diseases, lung diseases, respiratory problems (asthma) | | | | fruit juices (grape and orange) and celery juice (juice |
| and they can be easily attacked by several other | | | | extracted from celery plant) frequently in a day helps |
| problems related to kidneys, liver and pancreas. | | | | in discharging out nicotine and reduces the feeling to |
| • Excessive smoking also leads to loss of | | | | smoke. |
| good skin texture. | | | | • In order to reduce the intensity of withdrawal |
| • Smokers are easily exposed to diseases, as | | | | symptoms, two tablespoons of honey and plenty of |
| smoking weakens a person and reduces the stamina | | | | water should be taken daily. |
| and immunity (resistance power). | | | | Governments are attempting to spread awareness |
| • Two cigarettes a day destroy the entire | | | | among people about harmful effects of smoking and |
| vitamin C from body. The loss of vitamin C destroys | | | | banned smoking in all indoor places. Quitting smoking |
| the skin tissues. | | | | has instantaneous and long-term advantages for a |
| Harmful effects on non-smokers: | | | | person as it improves stamina and energy. There is a |
| Kids or babies are likely to get asthma and infections | | | | saying ‘Smokers never become old, because they |
| of ear, nose, and chest when they come in contact | | | | die younger’. |