Because cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that may poison the body if taken in large amounts, they are addictive. A first-time smoker may have the tendency to continue smoking and make it as a habit. This may also explain why quitting cigarettes will not be easy for those who have already made it a part of their routine.
There are a lot of reasons why people smoke. One of them is to cope from stress and problems. Smoking becomes a refuge for those who are facing a big problem, stress or depression. Second, out of curiosity and influence, some people will try smoking and eventually like the feeling and get used to it.
But what are the health risks of smoking? A study conducted by the U.S Surgeon General in 1988 showed that nicotine is “absorbed through the lungs,” therefore increasing the risk of having a lung cancer. Nicotine also affects the function of the brain and the heart. Smokers may suffer from a heart disease.
The fact remains that smoking does not only affect the smoker; non-smokers who are always exposed to smoke, which comes from cigarettes, may also suffer the consequences and the health risks brought by smoking.
Here are some tips that may help you to cope with your smoking habit:
1. Make yourself busy– give yourself a chance to do things which you never had time to do before. If you wish to quit smoking, fill your schedules and create a new routine, like for example, why don’t you read books and play sports? This way, you may forget smoking.
2. Seek for advice– talk to a psychologist or to your family and friends. Ask for some advice and tell your problems. This way, you’d be more confident because you know you are being supported.
3. Find a new hobby– find out what interests you and devote your free time with it. This way, you get to learn more of yourself and discover some other new things about you.
4. Reinforce yourself– if you try to quit smoking and succeed, with difficulties, to minimize how many times you smoke a day, reward yourself. This will help you to be optimistic and more determined to quit smoking. The process of coping takes time so it would not be really easy to quit the habit.
5. Make new friends– keep the old ones and make new friends. Get to know other people who might help you. Surround yourself with good people who will be able to remind and encourage you.
6. Resist temptations– don’t let yourself be surrounded with people who might influence you to come back to your habit. If you are being influenced by your friends, decline any invitation.
7. Encourage yourself– think of all the consequences that you might face if you wish to continue smoking. Think of your family and friends, of the people who tried to help you. (Donita Bemida/SU Masscom intern)
