Category: Smoking

Introduction

The Health Effects of Tobacco Smoking can be attributed to active tobacco smoking rather than inhalation of tobacco smoke from environment and passive smoking. According to WHO report (2002). Tobacco smoke is responsible for about 26 percent male and 9 percent female deaths in the developed countries. The health effects of tobacco smoking includes diseases pertaining to cardiovascular system like myocardial infarction; pulmonary disorders like COPD, emphysema, lung cancer and malignancy of the larynx and oral cavity (Witschi, 2001). Tobacco smoke also causes impotence and erectile dysfunction in male (Peate, 2005). The health related risk is proportional to the time and quantity of the smoke that has been inhaled. Studies have shown that the prevalence of smoking is greatest among persons in working class jobs, low educational level, and low income. This takes us to the conclusion that the complexities of class along with race/ethnicity and gender are significant factors that determine smoking habit (Elizabeth M. Barbeau, 2004). Further, acculturation has also an influence on smoking in certain areas like smoking and substance abuse. There is evidence that acculturation has a negative effect and that it is associated with worse health outcomes, behaviors, or perceptions. It has been shown that smoking initiation greatly influences smoking prevalence in the United States (Escobedo, et.al, 1990). It has been found that incidence of smoking initiation increased rapidly after 11 years of age, reaching a peak in groups 17 to 19 years of age, rapidly declining in groups through age 25 years, and gradually declining thereafter indicating that age and educational attainment are the factors most consistently associated with cigarette smoking initiation among all race/ethnic groups in the United States.

A phone survey conducted with 1,669 San Francisco Hispanics (Marin et.al, 1989) has shown that the age-adjusted overall smoking prevalence Hispanic men was 25.4 per cent (95% CI = 23.3, 27.5) with more men (32.4 per cent) smoking than women (16.8 per cent). A study to determine if hypothesized differences in attitudes and beliefs about cigarette smoking between Latino and non-Latino white smokers are independent of years of formal education and number of cigarettes smoked per day has shown that differences in attitudes and beliefs about cigarette smoking between Latinos and whites are independent of education and number of cigarettes smoke (Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable et.al, 1998). A multivariate analyses for gender, age, education, income, and number of cigarettes smoked per day has also shown that Latino ethnicity is a significant predictor of being less likely to smoke while talking on the telephone ,drinking alcoholic beverages, after eating or at a bar and a significant predictor of being more likely to smoke at a party.Latino ethnicity has also been shown to be a significant predictor of a man considering quitting important because of being criticized by family , burning clothes , damaging children’s health, bad breath, family pressure and being a good example to children (Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable et.al, 1998).

Active components of tobacco smoke

About 3000 active chemicals have been detected in tobacco smoke with at least 19 known carcinogens that can cause cancer (Lipworth et.al, 2006). Apart from Nicotine as the major component tobacco smoke contains cyanide and carbon monoxide that can cause tissue damage. The tobacco smoke also contains small traces of radioactive lead and polonium that emit gamma rays and cause mutagenic changes (Martell, 1983). Benzopyrene and Nitrosamine are cancer-causing components, which are formed during the smoking of tobacco by combustion (Sumner et.al, 2006). Nicotine is a powerful neurostimulant that causes physiological and psychological dependence leading to smoking addiction. This in turn contributes to more tobacco to be inhaled and lodged in the tissues causing various diseases that can cause death and permanent disabilities in the system.

Health Effects Of Tobacco Smoke

Tobacco smoke has been found to cause a wide range of diseases like cancer of the lungs, cancer of the kidney, cancer of the larynx, urinary bladder, esophagus, pancreas and stomach. Apart from these, tobacco smoke also causes myeloid leukemia, squamous cell cancer, liver cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer. Tobacco smoke has been found to be the main culprit in cardio vascular diseases, stroke, congenital birth defects, male impotence and cognitive disabilities (Kuper et.al, 2002).

There are about 20 carcinogens in the tobacco smoke that cause lung cancer. Of these, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and a nitrosamine have been found to be tobacco specific. These tobacco specific carcinogens interact with the host DNA, cause mutations in the tumor suppressor genes and induce cancer (Stephen, 1999). Even passive smoking by way of environmental exposure to tobacco smoke has been found to cause lung cancer. An analytical study of incidence of lung cancer in non-smokers has shown that there was a high risk of lung cancer in non-smokers who lived with a smoker taking us to the conclusion that breathing other people’s tobacco can cause lung cancer (Siegel, 1993).

Environmental tobacco smoke has been proved as a significant occupational health hazard for food-service workers. The smoke level in bars has been shown to be 4-56 times higher than in homes. Thus there is evidence to suggest that there is a 50 percent increase in the risk of lung cancer among food service workers due to exposure to tobacco smoke (Hackshaw, 1997). Asthmatic symptoms are common in tobacco smokers. Baseline spirometric measurements of smokers show a forced expiratory volume of 4.38 liters on average. Tobacco smoke stimulates an asthmatic reaction in chronic smokers and a severe bronchial hyper responsiveness has been observed.

Recently serum analysis for serum thyrotropin by solid phase immunoradiometric assay measured by Radioimmuno assay has shown severe thyroid disorders in tobacco smokers with TSH levels of 7.34 against the normal 0.81-3.2 IU/ml. The tobacco particles enter the human system by inhalation route i.e. respiration. The deposition of these particles is influenced by physical and chemical properties and a variety of host factors. n the lungs, these particles produce a variety of reactions depending on the concentration, duration and degree of exposure. Particles greater than 10 microns are deposited on the mucous membrane in the pharynx. Particles between 3 microns and 10 microns are deposited in the trachea of the lungs. But, particles less than 3 microns are deposited in alveoli and have a fair chance of being carried into the blood stream causing various diseases.

Smoking increases the chance of heart attacks because of the ability of the tobacco ingredients to cause narrowing of blood vessels. Blocking the vessels causes stroke. Tobacco ingredients also cause high blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels. Smoking has a devastating effect on the oral cavity including oral cancer.

The other exclusive oral diseases due to smoking are Smoker’s palate, leukoplakia, Snuff Dipper lesions, teeth loss and loss of taste sensations (Reibel, 2003). Smoking induces a range of physical and physiological effects like nausea, dizziness and tachycardia. Nicotine acts as a powerful neurostimulant like caffeine and increases adrenaline secretions. This neurostimulation effect causes an addiction and causes irritability, dry mouth, tachycardia, insomnia and depression in abstinence. Research studies have also proved that tobacco smoking enhances the symptoms of serious mental illness like schizophrenia (Hughes, 2006). Tobacco smoking has been cited as an important factor causing male impotence due to the phenomenon of arterial constriction. Smoking reduces male sperm count and reduces motility and fertilizing capacity. Recently there have been suggestions to study the genotoxic effect of smoking at the chromosomal level for possible mutagenesis and chromosomal aberrations. Foetal amniotic cells have been marked a s potential sites of expression of nicotine induced mutagenesis (Rosa, 2005).

Conclusion

The discussions based on scientific research takes us to the conclusion that tobacco smoke is injurious to human health in spite of its stimulating nature. It is thus important to be aware of the harmful effects of smoking tobacco.

Works Cited:

1. DeMarini DM and Preston RJ (2005) JAMA 293, 1264-1265.
2. Eliseo J. Pérez-Stable, Gerardo Marin & Samuel F. Posner (1998). Ethnic Comparison of Attitudes and Beliefs about Cigarette Smoking. Journal of General Internal Medicine.13 (3): 167-174.
3. G Marin, E J Perez-Stable and B V Marin (1989).Cigarette smoking among San Francisco Hispanics: the role of acculturation and gender. American Journal of Public Health, 79, (2); 196-198.
4. Hacksaw, Law, Wald, The accumulated evidence on lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke, BMJ 1997; 315:980-988.
5. Hughes JR. Clinical significance of tobacco withdrawal. Nicotine Tob Res. 2006;8(2):153-6.
6. Kuper H, Boffetta P, Adami HO. Tobacco use and cancer causation: association by tumour type. J Intern Med. 2002; 252(3):206-24.
7. L. G. Escobedo, R. F. Anda, P. F. Smith, P. L. Remington and E. E. Mast (1990). Sociodemographic characteristics of cigarette smoking initiation in the United States. Implications for smoking prevention policy.JAMA, 264(12).
8. Peate I (2005). “The effects of smoking on the reproductive health of men.”. Br J Nurs 14 (7): 362-6.
9. Recommendations. Med Princ Pract. 2003; 12 Suppl 1:22-32.
10. Sondergaard, C. Smoking during pregnancy and infantile colic. Paediatrics 2001; 108(2): 342-346.
11. Stephen S. Hecht, Tobacco Smoke Carcinogens and Lung Cancer Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 91, No. 14, 1194-1210, 1999.
12. Sumner et al. Retrofitting Tobacco Curing Barns.
13. Witschi 2001, A Short History of Lung Cancer. Toxicol Sci. 2001; 64(1):4-6.

Introduction

The brain is actually a very delicate organ in one’s body. It is organized into different parts with specialized functions which include the following, hindbrain which is actually essential for sustaining one’s life and controlling the breathing system, the midbrains which are concerned with motivation and learning of the different behaviors occurring in the environment like smoking and the other region is the forebrain.

In the forebrain there is mesolimbic dopamine is actually a certain pathway of the brain and it has been shown to be closely involved in motivational processes. It is the brain, which actually dictates the functioning of the rest of body organs, and hence when the brain has been interfered with, then you find that the rest of the body functioning has also been interfered with. We can then use this part of the brain to actually motivate us in order to stop smoking. If we actually set our mind to quitting smoking, then we find that it becomes easy for us to stop. It is the brain, which actually motivates us to do such behaviors. (Romer and Jamieson 2001)

The brain actually drives our emotions and hence there is a need to actually nurture our motivations since some of the motivations are good while others are bad. Since these motivations can be controlled, you find that if some of them are negative motives we need to quit then and try to use the positive motives in order to succeed in life. We always use our knowledge to motivate the good motives and neglect the bad ones like smoking which is actually a habit that end result is destroying and weakening the health of the smoker.

We actually need to boost our motivation and there are several ways to boost motivation which includes enough confidence the sense that, we should be confident in whatever we do, if it is the case of quitting smoking, one should be confident and ready to quit the habit the moment he/she gets to know the side effects of smoking. We should be confident to neglect and say know to such habits, which we already know are not actually good for us.

For instance, when you only think about smoking, your mind actually gives you the reasons as to why you are not able to get the cigarettes at that particular moment and hence this ends up giving you negatives effects of smoking so the mind works hand in hand with motivation. The best way to withdraw your mind from the negative thoughts is to think on gratitude or thinking on the best conducive works. You should always focus on the most positive things and make a mental list of your most strength. Some people do smoke in order to be motivated to achieve some goals. Some motives actually direct our behavior. (Romer and Jamieson 2001)

Quitting Smoking

Smoking is one of the most disgusting habits in life people should ever engage in. Some people argue that they actually smoke in order to reduce the stress they have not actually realizing the harm they cause to their bodies. Cigarette smoking is harmful to one’s body since it causes health problems like lung cancer so it’s an appeal to all nonsmokers and those intending to smoke in the future to realize that smoking is harmful to their health.

It is actually very easy for a nonsmoker to start smoking due to certain factors which actually include the following, You find that most people are tempted to smoke since they spend most of their time with smokers, and hence, as a result, they find themselves smoking.

Also when you watch somebody smoke, you find that your mind is actually centered on the habit of smoking and hence as a result, your mind actually tempts you to smoke, and in the end, you actually find yourself in the habit of smoking. Idleness can also cause somebody to smoke in the sense that when one is actually idle, it is known that an idle mind is a devils workshop, and hence as a result, you find your mind actually motivates to do things like smoking since actually, you watched somebody smoke so in order to stop this habit, then it’s advisably for one to keep his/her mind occupied with some work.

The global use of tobacco today has led to a global burden of disease for smokers or even those exposed to smokers. Quitting smoking is much more advisable due to the burdens associated with smoking. The mid-brain actually functions as a motivator to some behavioral habits and hence as a result, we can use this part of the brain to help us quit smoking since smoking is harmful to our health. (Romer and Jamieson 2001)

Heredity and environment

It is known that some people inherit some of their genes from their far distant relatives. If for instance one of your relatives was a smoker and you inherit such genes, then you find that automatically you become a smoker so its sometimes not one wish to smoke but because of the genes we sometimes inherit from our fore-parents. The environment is also another motivation in the sense that if you interact with people who smoke at the end then you find that you are motivated to smoke. As these are some of the observed motivations for smoking, quitting smoking is actually very easy in the sense that you just have to set your mind on quitting smoking.

For instance, when you only think about smoking, your mind actually gives you the reasons as to why you are not able to get the cigarettes at that particular moment and hence this ends up giving you negatives effects of smoking. Another area of concern is choosing the proper environment to live in. It is known that some people’s mission is to lure others’ behavior so as a result, it’s good to choose the correct caliber of friends to live with and especially those who are nonsmokers. (Romer and Jamieson 2001)

Motivational enhancement therapy

This is a treatment for our behaviors like smoking. In this case, the therapist motivates the smoker in order to quit smoking. Here the therapist tries to inform the smoker of the advantages and disadvantages of smoking so that the smoker can at the end decide the correct way to go. The therapist has to actually listen to what the smoker thinks is good to smoke and try to counsel him/her and explain the side effects of smoking. (Romer, and Jamieson 2001).

Conclusion

The brain is actually a very delicate organ in one’s body. It is organized in different parts with specialized functions, which include the following, the midbrains that are concerned with motivation, and learning of the different behaviors occurring in the environment like smoking and the other region is the forebrain. In the forebrain, there is mesolimbic dopamine, which is actually a pathway of the brain and has been shown to be closely involved in motivational processes.

It is then this part of the brain, which actually motivates and dictates our behavior and leads to some of us smoke. It is also this very part of the brain, which actually motivates us to quit smoking since smoking is not at all good.

Smoking is one of the most disgusting habits in life people should ever engage in. Some people argue that they actually smoke in order to reduce the stress they have not actually realizing the harm they cause to their bodies. , You find that most people are tempted to smoke since they spend most of their time with smokers, and hence, as a result, they find themselves smoking. Also when you watch somebody smoke, you find that your mind is actually centered on the habit of smoking and hence as a result, your mind actually tempts you to smoke, and in the end, you actually find yourself in the habit of smoking.

Reference

Jamieson, P and Romer, D (2001). What do young people think they know about the risks Of smoking? In smoking: Risk, perception and policy. Thousand Oaks.calif.sage publications.

Jamieson, P and Romer, D (2001). A profile of smokers and smoking. In smoking: Risk, Perception and policy. Thousand Oaks.calif.sage publications.

Romer, D and Jamieson. (2001). Attitude towards secondhand smoking, smoking and Quitting among young people. Journal of Adolescent health.

Summary

The article “Effect of cigar smoking on the risk of cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cancer in Men” by Iribarren et al. (1999) is a longitudinal study of cigar smokers and the impact of cigar smoking on the men in terms of different diseases. According to the article, cigar smoking had declined during the 1970s but again in the early 90s the trend was reversed as more and more people started smoking cigars. The reason for this increase is because cigars are considered relatively safer then cigarettes, secondly because of media hype about cigar as something glamorous.

This research was a cohort study of 17, 774 men between the ages of 20 and 85, all of these men were enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente health plan. They all of these men did not smoke cigarettes or pipe. 1546 men cigar smokers, while 16, 228 did not smoke cigars. These men were followed from 1991 to the end of 1995 and in the case of cancer patients till 1996.

According to the study cigar smokers as compared to non-smokers are at a higher risk of coronary heart disease, COPD and cancers of upper aero-digestive tracts. In addition this study has also shown that there is a synergistic relationship between cigar smoking and alcohol consumption with an added risk of cancer. However this increase in risks is moderate though significant, therefore the increase in cigar smoking is a cause for concern.

Significance of Study

Iribarren et al. (1999) state that the concentration of previous researches has been on cigarette smoking and cigar smoking has been ignored to a large extent. While the studies that have concentrated on cigar smokers in the past, have given mixed results. Some studies have found a relationship between cigar smokers and increased risk of heart disease, while others have found no significant relationship between cigar smokers and heart disease. One study according to Iribarren et al. (1999) concludes that the degree of inhalation also determines the increased risks of these diseases.

With this background it appears that this particular study is important because it focuses on the impact of cigar smoking on men with respect to a range of diseases, including coronary heart disease, COPD, and cancer of upper aero-digestive tracts. This study is about regular smokers and its significance is in terms of increased risk for cigar smokers. But infrequent cigar smoker cannot be made a part of this group. This study had a large sample and it was longitudinal in its approach following the sample over a number of years. In addition since the medical records of all the participants were available the bias was also minimized. Secondly since all of the respondents had equal access to similar healthcare the health status and socioeconomic status were not important. This study is able to clarify the confusion from different outcomes of previous studies, particularly in the case of men, as it is able to conclude that cigar smoking does lead to an increased risk of various diseases mentioned before.

Impact on Society

This paper is important in its conclusion, and in terms of its impact on society, it makes it is clear that the recent increase in cigar smoking is definitely a cause for concern as cigar smoking does lead to moderate increase in risks of coronary heart disease, COPD, and cancer of upper aero-digestive tracts in the case of men. This study has concentrated on men and as the methodology shows that a majority of the men are from the middle class while both the lower and upper classes are underrepresented. If men believe that cigar smoking is safe –as individuals don’t generally tend to inhale the cigar smoke—however the study shows that it does have health risks associated with it. And more importantly the complementary relationship between alcohol consumption and cigar smoking can increase the risk. This study is important as it creates awareness not only within the medical community but different advocacy groups can use it to create awareness about the risks of cigar smoking particularly in men.

Conclusion

Previously it was believed that cigars not as harmful as cigarettes. This conclusion was based on the assumption that since the smoke is not inhaled therefore the impact of cigar smoking is minimal. However this study shows that men who smoke cigars are at a higher risk for not only heart and lung diseases but also for different types of cancers.

References

Iribarren, C, Tekawa, I S, Sidney, S and Friedman, G D. (1999). Effect of Cigar Smoking on the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Cancer in Men, NEJM, 340(23), p. 1773-1780.

Smoking is a practice which involves the burning of a substance, for instance tobacco or cannabis, and later the smoke that emanates from it is inhaled. When referring to smoking, many people refer to tobacco smoking or cigarette smoking. The most widely used substance for smoking is tobacco, which is manufactured as cigarettes or hand-rolled tobacco. Smoking is an addictive habit and most smokers would attest that they wish they were able to stop the habit.

As much as it may seem to be a comfortable habit, smoking is in its actual sense not pleasurable and in any case it does not bring any relief. It is therefore the desire of many smokers to quit smoking. The knowledge that smoking can lead to serious health problems is one that is conscious in every smoker. This may make the smoker stay worried yet overcoming the addiction is a problem.

As such, quitting smoking is important since it helps relief the worry and the fear associated with possibility of developing cancer among other smoking-related illnesses. The smell that comes with smoking is very embarrassing and most people hate it.

Quitting smoking is therefore an important way of regaining self confidence by doing away with the embarrassing smell of cigarette smoke. Quitting smoking is an important way of shedding off the worry of the constant coughs and short breath brought about by smoking (Quit Smoking Review para 2-3).

Quitting smoking comes with a myriad of benefits which place more weight on the importance of quitting this addictive habit. If one quits smoking, it is no doubt that someone else is also saved from the problem of chain smoking. It is important that smokers reconsider their actions and identify that they spread the negative effects of smoking to persons who would not like to smoke.

It is therefore important to quit smoking if the problems associated with chain smoking are to be solved. The unborn are also beneficiaries of quitting smoking, especially among pregnant mothers. The elimination of very dangerous chemicals from the body motivates many people to avoid the practice. Most smokers thus find the health benefits as an encouraging gesture to quit smoking.

Quitting smoking is important since it leads to saving of monies that would have been used to buy cigarettes. These daily savings resulting from quitting smoking can be put into wiser and productive ways such as helping the family to settle bills as well as saving the money for investing. The fact that every individual’s lifestyle seems to influence another person’s life is an important reason why it is advisable to quit smoking. For instance, parents can act as good role models to their children by choosing to quit smoking.

In such a case, children are able to appreciate that smoking is a harmful habit and they will view the parent as a proactive parent as far as achieving good health is concerned. Additionally, quitting smoking gives the individual whiter and good looking teeth coupled with a fresh breath (Quit Smoking Review para 4-5). Most smokers are prone to gum diseases among other mouth diseases in comparison to non-smokers.

The individual’s health is also greatly improved as the breathing system that was once clogged with tobacco particles becomes clear and the lung capacity improves generally by about 10% (Gilman & Xun 45). Young smokers may not experience the negative effects of smoking until their later years but lung capacity generally weakens and diminishes with age.

Further, quitting smoking increases the individual’s life span, as Gilman and Xun (51) notes that half of all long-term smokers die from smoking related diseases such as heart attacks, lung cancer and others such as chronic bronchitis.

Those who quit smoking at age 30 are at an advantage as they add almost 10 years of their life span. As earlier mentioned stress levels are lower after one quits smoking since one has overcome the annoying habit. Most smokers suffer from withdrawal effects especially from nicotine, and the pleasant feeling of satisfying a craving is very temporary. Thus, non-smokers can concentrate better than smokers.

The body senses are also improved to a great extent as the system gets rid of many toxic chemicals found in the body as a result of cigarette smoke. Additionally, the individual experiences more energy as two weeks after quitting smoking, the circulation improves making many physical activities much easier. Additionally, the immune system is improved as mild diseases such as flu, colds and headaches can be easily fought.

In general, quitting smoking is an important step towards realizing an overall improvement in quality of life. Quitting smoking is also an important measure of ensuring cleanliness in one’s environment (American Academy of Family Physicians para 6).

Once one has quit smoking, the cigarette butts and ashes that are common in houses or cars of the smoker are no longer seen. This leads to greater happiness to the individual as well as those who live with the smoker. In addition, there is no need to worry much over the possible fire outbreaks brought about by careless disposal of burning cigarette butts.

Works Cited

American Academy of Family Physicians. Do I want to quit smoking? 2000. Web.

Gilman, Sander and Xun, Zhou. Smoke: A global history of smoking. London, UK: Reaktion Books. 2004. Print.

Quit Smoking Review. The importance of quitting smoking. Web.

The harm caused by smoking to a human health has been known for several decades now. The scientists maintain that smoking has a severe negative impact on almost every organ of a human body causing a great number of diseases such as lung, throat, bladder cancer, heart failure, chronic lung diseases, impacting blood pressure and vessels among others (Van Dusen, 2006). Today, a person willing to quit smoking has a variety of methods to choose from. Some of them are more popular than others and some require a more discipline, personal organization and will-power. The level of efficiency of these methods differs as well.

The most popular smoking cessation methods these days involve different medicines invented specifically to help address the habit of smoking. There are several of such medications and they have different formulas. Among them there are bupropion also known as Zyban and varenicline tartrate also called Chantix (Quitting Smoking, 2015). They are designed to reduce the feeling of withdrawal and help the patients break the habit easier.

Another group of smoking cessation means that can be purchased as a drug store includes nicotine patches, gums, sprays and inhalers. These methods are a part of NRT or nicotine replacement therapy, they work according to the principle of providing the smoker with small portions of nicotine to minimize the addiction gradually and at the same time help them to stop the habit of smoking as an action.

Besides, a number of smokers choose the most drastic way of quitting which is referred to as cold turkey. This method entails sudden and complete refusal of smoking. It is the cheapest way because it does not require any tools or help from the outside (Methods to Facilitate Smoking Cessation: Guidelines and Treatment Modalities, 2015). Yet, it may be rather hard for a person to give up a habit this way.

Finally, behavioral therapy, counseling, support groups and hypnotherapy compose one more method of getting rid of a habit. This method may be rather pricy as counseling is known to cost a lot, besides, it can be combined with other methods such as medications and nicotine patches.

Statistically, all of the methods are evaluated differently based on their efficiency. Medications such as Zyban and Chantix are said to have 35% efficiency rate, which is a little bit higher than that of nicotine replacement treatments that have 25 to 30% effectiveness after six months (Van Dusen, 2006). NRT and medications are especially effective when used in combination; in this case they give the quitters 40% chance of success. When it comes to cold turkey method, regardless of its popularity, the doctors do not recommend it because such a drastic change of behavior may result in a number of negative outcomes such as anxiety, gained weight, nervousness, stress, depression triggered by withdrawal.

Statistically, cold turkey method is very inefficient and out of a hundred of smokers only three to five stay away from the habit after a year of withdrawal (Sutherland, 2014). In other words, cold turkey gives the smokers only 3 to 5% chance to succeed and defeat a habit. Rates for counseling, hypnotherapy and acupuncture also show only 30% chance for success after one year (Sutherland, 2014).

In conclusion, addressing the habit of smoking therapists work with a chemical, physical and psychological addictions. This way, the only way to ensure a long-term success for a patient is addressing all of these addictions in complex, otherwise the habit is extremely likely to return.

Reference List

Methods to Facilitate Smoking Cessation: Guidelines and Treatment Modalities. (2015). MedScape. Web.

Sutherland, G. (2014). Methods for quitting. Web.

Quitting Smoking. (2015). CDC. Web.

Van Dusen, A. (2006). The Best Ways To Quit Smoking. Web.

Having a darker skin color and having two X chromosomes and being discriminated against were things of the past. The nation that fought so hard to transcend these inhumanities is now struggling with another type of discrimination: the act of smoking. Stanley Scott says that “If you happen to enjoy a cigarette, you are the potential target of violent anti-smokers and overzealous public enforcers determined to force their beliefs on the rest of society”.

Why does this happen? It’s because these days’ smokers have to abide by an infinite amount of laws that dictate what locations smoking is prohibited in and when they are allowed to smoke in those locations. People can’t smoke in planes, trains, office spaces, schools, colleges, and etcetera. There are ‘public interest’ organizations in place that work to prohibit smoking amongst people and go as far as to encourage “harassment of those who smoke.” There are societies present that come up with creative ways to ambush people who smoke, such as blasting them with horns and attacking them with water guns, and burning their effigies.

There comes a point when harmless fun becomes a terrorizing act that ends up hurting people. In the midst of discouraging smoking, some people have gone overboard by committing violent and hate crimes against smokers. A few examples include being sprayed in the face aerosol cans, being held at gunpoint, being stabbed, and getting brutally wounded over small incidents of smoking in public spaces.

America was built on the idea of freedom, equality, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. When these basic principles are violated the essence of America starts to blur. The question raised is that “Tomorrow, who knows what personal behavior will become socially unacceptable, subject to restrictive laws and public ridicule? Could travel by private car make social engineers’ hit list because it is less safe than public transit? Could ice cream, cake, and cookies become socially unacceptable because their consumption causes obesity? What about sky diving, mountain climbing, skiing, and contact sports? How far will we allow this to spread?”

Is an analogy of healthy food against fatty junk food really applicable to be compared to smoking behavior? The answer is provided by Watson Laughton Lafayette who wrote a letter to the editor in response to Stanley Scott’s article, “Smokers Get a Raw Deal.” Lafayette explains that people who make laws and influence other people to exercise these laws are obviously at the top of the ladder and should be able to understand the difference between the harm sugar does to a human body and the effect smoke produced by cigarettes has on another human beings body. In other words, he does not believe that smokers get a raw deal when it comes to following an infinite amount of rules concerning where a person can smoke and when he or she can smoke. He believes that if someone is involved in an activity that inflicts harm upon someone else should be stopped and there should be legal sanctions in doing so. Therefore he insists that a different analogy should be used to describe this conflict, one which involves “examining the response of unwitting nondrinkers in public places to being force-fed bourbon.” The idea behind Lafayette’s argument is that if people want to indulge in health hazardous activities they should be done in private so other parties don’t have to involuntarily succumb to the hazards.

Stanley on the other hand argues that “Can a nation that has struggled so valiantly to eliminate bias on race, religion, and sex afford to allow a fresh set of categories to encourage new forms of hostility between larger groups of citizens?” In my opinion, the answer is a balance between Stanley and Lafayette’s argument.

First, we have to understand that smoking is an activity that causes a lot of harm to the human body. A huge killer of people all over the world is second-hand smoking. This means that people who smoke not only inflict harm upon themselves but on other people too. If something affects my well-being and health I have every right to object to that activity. It is my prerogative to be able to enjoy a clean smoke-free environment. Other people’s decisions to smoke should not affect my well-being. In the same that drunk driving is illegal smoking in public spaces should be illegal too.

The part where I agree with Stanley has to do with inflicting harm upon people who smoke and attacking them and hurting them brutally for simply smoking a cigarette. This is where people go overboard and fail America’s essence. Discrimination is wrong in whichever form it is carried out in. When people start to harm other people well being in order to lessen smoking it turns into deviant behavior and adds to the problem instead of taking away from it.

Works Cited

Lafayette, Watson. “Smoking Dangerous to Nonsmokers Also” The New York Times. 1985. New York Times. Web.

Issue addressed in the article

According to the article under consideration, increase in price of cigarettes can positively or negatively affect the rate of smoking among the youth. Imposing high taxes on tobacco increases the price of cigarettes. Consequently, this will reduce the rate of smoking among the youth.

The issue is vital as it addresses a problem that affects a number of young people across the world. Over the past years, the rate of smoking among the twelfth grade students has been steadily increasing.

Economic model used to study the issue

Economic model of an individual’s behavior in the article studies the effect of increasing cigarette tax on smokers. According to this model, consumers make decisions by evaluating the alleged marginal benefits against alleged marginal costs.

Additionally, financial cost of cigarette plays a trivial part in the choices made by youth who smoke. According to theoretical economic model, the rate of smoking among the youth does not depend on the price of cigarettes. Consequently, this makes their demand flexible.

Advantages of using the models

The models discussed above are more superior to earlier models since they validate quantitative predictions and translate them into accurate numerical outcomes. For instance, theoretical models of consumer behavior imply a constructive association between expenditure and income.

In addition, they contain numerical equations that illustrate an assumption of economic behavior. The models are easy to interpret compared to the earlier models. For instance, imposing high taxes on cigarettes causes the price increase. As a result, many smokers will reduce their rate of smoking.

Data used in the article

Cross-sectional and longitudinal data used in the article serve to look at how increased tax on tobacco negatively or positively affects the rate of smoking among the youth. Moreover, longitudinal data provides relevant information regarding the eighth grade students and the rate at which they smoke.

In the models, the collected data should be translated into three different cross sections. Empirical model examines the onset of smoking by considering the number of the eighth grade students who are not smoking.

Statistical test applied in the models

To test the models, the percentage increase in smoking among the youth should be compared with percentage decrease. Moreover, the test should be conducted after increasing taxes on cigarettes. From the results, conclusions regarding the effect of increasing cigarette prices on the rate of smoking should be made.

Summary of the conclusions

Previous statistics shows that price flexibility has not contributed to the reduced or increased rate of smoking among the youth. Nonetheless, the results ignore the notion that the current rate of smoking should be related to the previous decision to start smoking. According to statistics, increased rate of cigarette taxation does not affect the onset of smoking.

The conclusions are not only made from statistics, but also the prevalence of a number of evidences provided. A number of high school students could still smoke despite increasing the price of cigarettes. Additionally, high rate of smoking among the youth comes as a result of peer influence, but not the price of cigarettes.

According to results reported in the article, learners who quit their studies tend to smoke for a longer time before dropping it. Additionally, students who perform poorly in their exams also tend to smoke more that those performing well.

Introduction

In writing on the cause and effect of smoking we will examine the issue from the point of view of temporal precedence, covariation of the cause and effect and the explanations in regard to no plausible arguments. It is first required to show that the cause happened before the effect which is evident from an example of inflation being a cause for unemployment. It is felt by some that when there is inflation it results in overall reduction in economic activities, which increases cost for employers and hence they have to lay off workers. But some economists believe that they are both interrelated in the sense that if there is an increased workforce there will be higher demand for goods and services which in turn will increase the prices. This would increase costs and the same situation will arise when employers will have no option but to lay off workers. Hence it is difficult to establish a causal relationship in regard to several issues which is also true in the case of smoking. For example in most cases of people who leave smoking, the cause is not the anti-smoking campaigns but the several instances of people who suffer from diseases relating with smoking habits. So here we have an example of the effect being the cause of leaving smoking.

Discussion

While examining the causes of smoking, several combinations of reasons are accountable for the habit and most often results from levels of esteem in individuals in relation to the surroundings and atmosphere they live in. Smoking can initially start amongst youngsters due to peer pressure, inadequate skills to cope with pressure as also the curiosity to try what smoking is all about. People also take to smoking due to familial patterns of addiction. An effect of smoking is the mental stimulus that is experienced with inhaling of tobacco smoke and which is taken by many as getting mental relief and peace during stressful situations. Hence to reduce stress people smoke, which becomes the cause of smoking, but eventually when a person becomes addicted to the habit, it becomes stressful to leave in view of the addiction. So here we have an example of a cause becoming an effect and an effect becoming a cause. But in general terms and more specifically there are several causes of smoking which eventually lead to addiction in the habit and the effects prove to be very harmful to the individual’s health and wellbeing.

Most people who are predisposed to the habit of smoking are often burdened with emotional and mental pressure leading to stress levels that become difficult to get over. Such people are extra dependant on others and exhibit very low levels of tolerance against frustration. This leads them to further indulge in smoking to relieve the stress and to remove loneliness which may enable them to temporarily experience mental peace and some excitement. This way they feel that the boredom and depressions can be removed with smoking. Experimentation with smoking may be a result of peer pressure in that when one sees that several friends and colleagues are smoking, why not he also be a party to the same enjoyment, as is inferred by him. Sometimes people take to smoking in anticipation of removing physical pain, which although is not very widespread.

Cigarette smoking is the most popular form of smoking and can result in horrific diseases. Smoking damages the lungs which creates complications in breathing and coughing. Over the long term, smoking can further damage the tissue of the lungs which may cause cancer and related fatal illnesses. A secondary effect of smoking is the adverse impact on the heart which is indirectly caused due to the damage to the lungs since sufficient oxygen cannot be provided to the blood supply due to which the heart is overburdened in working harder to supply oxygen to the entire body. This causes the blood pressure to increase and ultimately may lead to heart attack. Hence it can be seen how smoking can cause harm to the body in a number of ways.

Conclusion

People who smoke cigars do not develop complications of the lungs and heart since they do not inhale the smoke, but they suffer from other problems in the mouth and throat. The initial effects of smoking cigars are the destruction of the glands in the mouth and nose that play the role of taste and smell. The worst that can happen to a cigar smoker is that he ultimately reaches a stage where he cannot differentiate between good and bad smells and is at big risk of contracting cancer of the mouth and gums. Such smokers are also at risk of suffering from cancer of the throat which means loss of the voice box implying that the person will never be able to speak again.

References

1. Effects of Smoking.
2. Smoking – The health effects, 2003, BBC News
3. William M K, Establishing Cause and Effect, 2006, Research Methods Knowledge Base

The life of a smoker is marked by a sense of dependence on something that one does not like very much. In my opinion, this feeling can be almost unbearable at times. For quite a long time, I thought that it would be impossible for me to do without tobacco. Cigarettes almost became an inseparable part of my daily routine. However, there was a person who helped me break this dependence. In particular, I would like to speak about Liat Artzi, who is an excellent therapist and a very caring person. Her assistance enabled me to have a more fulfilling life. I am greatly indebted to her for her expertise, concern, and attention. In my opinion, Liat is a top-notch professional on whom many people can rely.

When I reached the age of sixty, I realized that I no longer wanted to be a smoker who was unable to take control of one’s lifestyle. On my sixtieth birthday, I admitted that I had to make a change in my life. Moreover, I was increasingly aware of the fact that I had put my health at grave risk. So, I chose to seek the assistance of a therapist. I knew that Liat Artzi was believed to be an excellent professional. This is why I decided to drive two hours to her office instead of consulting local therapists, and I can say that my expectations were not disappointed. When I met Liat, I became more convinced of success. I was impressed by her reassuring words and ability to explain the most complicated medical terms. In particular, Liat explained how hypnosis could assist me in giving up smoking. So, I decided to put my trust in this therapist. During the session of hypnotherapy, I felt very comfortable because Liat was very supportive. This session helped me better understand my attitude toward smoking and the origins of my dependence on nicotine.

At the end of our meeting, I felt different and excited. I noticed that I no longer wanted to light a cigarette. This sensation was new and fascinating to me. It made me understand that I was quite capable of breaking my dependence on nicotine. Now I intend to schedule future appointments with her because I think that this therapist can make sure that I will never return to smoking. Moreover, I can recommend this therapist to other people who also want to overcome their psychological problems. In many cases, these people become too despaired of themselves, and they do not even try to get rid of their addiction. If they refer to Liat, they will see that every individual is able to stop smoking.

At this moment, I feel free from nicotine dependence. It is no longer one of my urgent needs. Therapy sessions with Liat helped me realize that life can be more fulfilling when a person does not have to think about cigarettes. In my opinion, people like Liat Artzi can significantly assist many smokers who are deprived of many benefits, especially good health. I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to Liat because without her, I might never have enjoyed smoke-free life. Her care and concern made me realize that it is never too late to change oneself. She is a person to whom I am greatly indebted.

In the movie Thank You for Smoking two contradictory points of view are presented: while Nick Naylor is certain that smoking needs to be brought back on the screens (because it will impact the tobacco sales), Senator Finisterre presents a ‘new’ way to fight the tobacco industry and protect the children from its harm. However, none of the strategies seems to be efficient, although Nick’s approach can be seen in modern-day ads and movies where smoking is not always connected to psychopaths or Europeans (Thank you for smoking 2005).

The advantage of Nick’s strategy is that it offers the consumer a role model to follow: if smoking is considered to be ‘cool’, more people, especially young ones, will try to become ‘cool’ using cigarettes. Such an approach was used by Marlboro in their recent campaign (2014) that targeted young adults. However, ethical considerations about the tobacco impact on people’s health are completely neglected by Nick (and Marlboro, too). Nick’s approach is most likely to be effective, but it will be quickly met with indignation from non-smoking parents that will be afraid for their children’s health.

As to Senator’s suggestion, it has proven to be ineffective in our real world. Pictures that can be found on cigarette packages are far more frightening than skulls and crossbones; however, they do not seem to have a huge impact on chain-smokes or others. Moreover, teenagers regard this as the forbidden fruit: if it is dangerous, you should try it. Although such a campaign could be helpful to non-smoking adults who hesitate if they should try smoking or not, it will have zero impact on smokers and teenagers. Moreover, some smokers might point out that these pictures could be spared since they are already aware of the possible risks of smoking.

References

Beugg, M. (Executive Producer). (2005). Thank you for smoking [DVD]. Century City, CA: Fox Searchlight.