Compiled and updated by:
"The Joketender"
a.k.a.: Blair B. Stobie
My doctor pointed out to me that smoking is probably one of the hardest addictions to break free from. Studies have shown hard drugs such as heroin and cocaine to be 10 times easier to quit. The benifits, by far out-weigh the advantages of smoking, of which, I've found none!
* After two years of not smoking, your risk of developing lung cancer goes back to that of someone who has never smoked.
* After just two hours, nicotine begins to leave your system.
* After just two days, your body is almost nicotine free.
* Within six hours, your heart rate and blood pressure begins to decrease to more normal levels.
* After twelve hours, your body is free from carbon monoxide.
* Your body will better absorb the vitamins and minerals you need and you will have more energy.
* Gradually your teeth will whiten and you will smile more. You will become more popular without even knowing it.
* Your hands will be free to do more constructive things. You will get more things done.
* Some smokers think smoking calms their nerves. This couldn't be further from the truth. The decrease in vitamins in your system as well as endorphins on your brain make you more irritable and tense.
* Many people have told me that my voice sounds considerably better. I am quite well known for my voice and find this to be a big bonus.
* Guys?, no matter what anyone says...
The ladies do prefer non-smokers if for no other reason than they have a lower chance of being impotent. Yes your sex drive will improve when you quit, and you will forget about that after sex smoke! Trust the "Joketender" on this one. I do have references to back me up on this baby...
* You will have fresher breath and your clothes won't smell. Smokers don't notice this so much because there sense of smell is not as active. When you quit you will smell things like flowers and farts the way you've never experienced them before.
* You will live longer... It has been said that every cigarette reduces your life expectancy 10 to 14 minutes. Do the math: A pack per day = About two hours closer to death.
Weedless Wednesday:
This is the day that smokers are urged to try to butt out for 24 hours. For some this is not an easy thing to do. I smoked for twenty years myself and I know how difficult it is to quit. However, I did quit, and if there is anyway I can be of help to smokers that truly would like to butt out, I'm at your disposal.
Remember the letter "D":
* DELAY: When a craving strikes, delay the urge to light up. Cravings do pass, usually between 30 seconds and five minutes.
* DISTRACT: When you're ready to quit, plan distractions in advance. Avoid smoking triggers by changing your routines. ie. after meals, sex, during coffee breaks, social situations such as night clubs.
* DEEP BREATHING: Take slow deep breaths to reduce stress. This will also help clear out some of the nasty's in your lungs. You'd be amazed what you will cough up after quitting.
* DRINK WATER: This will help clean out toxins and help replace the oral consumption habit associated with smoking. Many smokers start over eating when they quit. Eating rather than smoking doesn't have to be a bad thing if you develop healthy eating habits. Try an apple, pear or an orange instead of a cigarette. I've never known anyone to get fat from eating to much fruit.
* DO THE MATH: Break out the calculator, pencil and paper and try figuring out how much money you waste on cigarettes. You'd be suprised how much you do spend. If I had all the money I've spent on cigarettes in the past, I'd be driving a brand new Porsche and I could afford to insure it with the money I would otherwise still be spending smoking. Also think about how much money you have carelessly given away to people bumming smokes of you. For me:
30 cents a smoke x 365 days a year = $110.00
and that's assuming I only gave out 1 cigarette a day! Being a bartender it was more like half a pack a day or about $1,000.00 a year.
* DATE A NON-SMOKER: This may not work for everyone, especially if you are married as your spouse may not approve. But it worked for a single guy like me. Non-smokers can smell you a mile away, and the last thing they want to kiss is someone who tastes and smells like an ashtray!
* DON'T QUIT TRYING: Only 4% of smokers are successfull at quitting for two years on their first attempt. It isn't the end of the world. Maybe the "Cold Turkey" method won't work for you like it does for some. Trust me, it can be done! Among those successful at kicking the habit for two years, very few ever go back.
* DOCTORS, DENTISTS AND DIET SPECIALIST: Will be more than willing to tell you about a whole endless lists of reasons not to smoke. Among some of the disadvantages are:
- Increased risk of many resperatory problems.
- Increased risk of heart disease.
- Bad breath.
- Yellow teeth.
- Vitamin depleation. One cigarette burns up a full RDA's worth of Vitamin C among other necessary nutrients.
* DON'T START!: Among smokers who started as a teenager and continued smoking until age 25, 85% still smoke at age 40. Those who have never smoked before age 25 will probably never start. Les than 3% ever start after age 25. 2/3 of teenagers between the age of 15 and 19 have tried to quit at least once and failed.
Go back to the top of this page and read some of the benifits of butting out. You can click here to go to the top...
[email protected]
I sometimes even suprise myself at what I can do to help out.
'Til next time...
Cheers, Happy Trails, and Good Luck in your Journey down Life's Twisted Highways!!!
"The Joketender"
