There are "cigarettes" out there designed to "look" and otherwise impersonate a real cigarette. They are called electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and are battery powered. How ideal. They do not produce smoke and their manufacturer claims that they have no known carcinogens while offering the person who wants to quit smoking an alternative. The smokes are less expensive. A vapor is produced which "sort of" looks like smoke and the e-cigarette manufacturer contends that it offers a "true" smoking experience. But, alas, when the smoker inhales, they still get a dose of nicotine (and some other chemicals) into their lungs. This is a cigarette that will help a smoker quit. Really now?
Trying to find scientific research about these reportedly "safe" alternative smoking devices is difficult as usually these so-called "renegade" products have no scientific data to support their value. Hence, nothing reputable can be found on the internet to support the value of e-cigs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that these devices may indeed create more smokers, and that they are not a legitimate therapy for smokers trying to quit. Dr. Jack Henningfield, an expert on addiction, says that some manufacturers blatantly go after young people when advertising e-cigarettes with flavors like chocolate and candy. Ouch! How bad is that? Sounds like Big Tobacco to me.
Nearly all of these devices are manufactured in China and are not regulated by the FDA because they are not listed as "drugs." The patch and nicotine gum are regulated by the FDA as they are considered a drug. The FDA does not have a perfect track record when it comes to evaluating products. However, at least they do evaluate drugs, etc., so we have some protection from being harmed.
The FDA has issued a ban on these devices as they "constitute an unapproved drug-delivery system" (which is being challenged in court). Oh, what these companies will do to get us addicted to their products is unbelievable.
I would not recommend this product to anyone trying to quit smoking. First, the product contains "other chemicals", and second, it contains nicotine which is the addictive component of anything legal that you smoke. My third reason is that they are made in China. Over the last couple of years, China has produced baby and children's products containing lead and dog and cat food containing lead and a plastic-type substance used to make melamine dinnerware. The plastic-containing pet foods were recalled but not before they killed several pets. As for the lead in children's toys and other children's products, these were also recalled. However, I recommend that toys made in China be seriously scrutinized before being sold to the general public. Is China trying to poison us or what? We should be wary of anything coming from China if it's edible or if there's a chance that a child will put it into their mouth.
In conclusion, the jury is still out on the e-cigarette. This product should not be allowed on the market until it has been deemed safe. I always recommend cold turkey, but not everyone is able to accomplish this. So, the patch or gum is good, but only for a short period of time. There are now laser treatments and the old standby, hypnosis. Smoking withdrawal clinics are a very good choice as well. Join others who are quitting. You don't feel like you're the only one in the world going through withdrawl. Always remember that nicotine is nicotine in whatever form it appears, and you can just as easily become addicted to a patch or a stick of gum.
Showing posts with label cigarettes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cigarettes. Show all posts
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Do You Like Money?
It's been a while since I last wrote. It's been a long summer. Now, it's time to get back to work. Here is a link that will help you figure out how much smoking costs you. http://bit.ly/sjj5J. Back when I quit, I added up how much I had spent throughout my years of smoking. I could have paid cash for a house. Now, with the cost of cigarettes very high, I can't imagine what I would have burned up. So, I ask you to figure it out for yourself. Sometimes just seeing the cost of something that is absolutely not necessary to sustain life will encourage a person to finally kick the habit. This would be my hope.
In the meantime, check out Commit To Quit on Facebook. Make a commitment to quit. Put your name on the wall. Become a fan, and encourage others to give it a try. I know, there are always those who "say" they don't want to quit smoking. I've lost relatives who "claimed" they did not want to quit. They died as a result of their smoking. My mother is 92 and does not smoke. Her sister died at age 79. She was a heavy smoker. She had emphysema and other health issues related to smoking. My mother misses her sister very much, but her sister chose to continue smoking.
My next post will talk about the new fake cigarettes? Are they safe? Should you use them? Are they just another habit? Find out.
In the meantime, check out Commit To Quit on Facebook. Make a commitment to quit. Put your name on the wall. Become a fan, and encourage others to give it a try. I know, there are always those who "say" they don't want to quit smoking. I've lost relatives who "claimed" they did not want to quit. They died as a result of their smoking. My mother is 92 and does not smoke. Her sister died at age 79. She was a heavy smoker. She had emphysema and other health issues related to smoking. My mother misses her sister very much, but her sister chose to continue smoking.
My next post will talk about the new fake cigarettes? Are they safe? Should you use them? Are they just another habit? Find out.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
JUST QUIT!
It appears that the drugs that help people stop smoking are just as dangerous as smoking. I received the info below in my mail box today. I've posted it so you can read what these drugs can do.
Public Health Advisory: FDA Requires New Boxed Warnings for the Smoking Cessation Drugs Chantix and Zyban
7/1/2009The FDA is notifying the public that the use of Chantix (varenicline) or Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride), two prescription medicines that are used as part of smoking cessation programs, has been associated with reports of changes in behavior such as hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions. The FDA is requiring the manufacturers of these products, including generic versions of Zyban (bupropion), to add a new Boxed Warning to the product labeling to alert healthcare professionals to this important new safety information.
People who are taking Chantix or Zyban and experience any serious and unusual changes in mood or behavior or who feel like hurting themselves or someone else should stop taking the medicine and call their healthcare professional right away.
Friends or family members who notice these changes in behavior in someone who is taking Chantix or Zyban for smoking cessation should tell the person their concerns and recommend that he or she stop taking the drug and call a healthcare professional right away.
Although Chantix and Zyban are effective aids in helping people stop smoking, they have been associated with serious adverse effects. Some people who have taken Chantix or Zyban to help them quit smoking have reported experiencing unusual behavior changes, have become depressed or have had their depression worsen, or have had thoughts about suicide or dying; some have attempted suicide either while using one of these drugs or after they stopped taking them.
Since Chantix and Zyban do not contain nicotine, people who decide to use these drugs to help them stop smoking may still experience symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. It is common for people who are attempting to break their nicotine habit to experience unpleasant symptoms like depressed mood, irritability, restlessness, feeling anxious and trouble sleeping.
Smoking is known to cause serious and potentially fatal health consequences, including lung cancer and other cancers, heart attacks, stroke, emphysema, and other breathing/lung diseases. The risks that are known to be associated with smoking must be balanced against the small, but real risk of serious adverse effects associated with medicines that can help patients quit smoking when making the decision on whether to use a medicine and/or other method to help stop smoking.
In addition to the new Boxed Warning, FDA is also requiring the manufacturers of Chantix, Zyban, and generic versions of Zyban to describe these risks in the Medication Guides for these products. The Medication Guides are required to be provided to all patients prescribed Chantix, Zyban or generic versions of Zyban for smoking cessation.
The FDA urges health care professionals and patients to report adverse reactions that may be related to the use of Chantix or Zyban to the FDA through the MedWatch program using the information at the bottom of the page.
Hopefully, most smokers will just kick the habit. My best wishes for your success.
Public Health Advisory: FDA Requires New Boxed Warnings for the Smoking Cessation Drugs Chantix and Zyban
7/1/2009The FDA is notifying the public that the use of Chantix (varenicline) or Zyban (bupropion hydrochloride), two prescription medicines that are used as part of smoking cessation programs, has been associated with reports of changes in behavior such as hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions. The FDA is requiring the manufacturers of these products, including generic versions of Zyban (bupropion), to add a new Boxed Warning to the product labeling to alert healthcare professionals to this important new safety information.
People who are taking Chantix or Zyban and experience any serious and unusual changes in mood or behavior or who feel like hurting themselves or someone else should stop taking the medicine and call their healthcare professional right away.
Friends or family members who notice these changes in behavior in someone who is taking Chantix or Zyban for smoking cessation should tell the person their concerns and recommend that he or she stop taking the drug and call a healthcare professional right away.
Although Chantix and Zyban are effective aids in helping people stop smoking, they have been associated with serious adverse effects. Some people who have taken Chantix or Zyban to help them quit smoking have reported experiencing unusual behavior changes, have become depressed or have had their depression worsen, or have had thoughts about suicide or dying; some have attempted suicide either while using one of these drugs or after they stopped taking them.
Since Chantix and Zyban do not contain nicotine, people who decide to use these drugs to help them stop smoking may still experience symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. It is common for people who are attempting to break their nicotine habit to experience unpleasant symptoms like depressed mood, irritability, restlessness, feeling anxious and trouble sleeping.
Smoking is known to cause serious and potentially fatal health consequences, including lung cancer and other cancers, heart attacks, stroke, emphysema, and other breathing/lung diseases. The risks that are known to be associated with smoking must be balanced against the small, but real risk of serious adverse effects associated with medicines that can help patients quit smoking when making the decision on whether to use a medicine and/or other method to help stop smoking.
In addition to the new Boxed Warning, FDA is also requiring the manufacturers of Chantix, Zyban, and generic versions of Zyban to describe these risks in the Medication Guides for these products. The Medication Guides are required to be provided to all patients prescribed Chantix, Zyban or generic versions of Zyban for smoking cessation.
The FDA urges health care professionals and patients to report adverse reactions that may be related to the use of Chantix or Zyban to the FDA through the MedWatch program using the information at the bottom of the page.
Hopefully, most smokers will just kick the habit. My best wishes for your success.
Friday, May 1, 2009
THE DAY I QUIT SMOKING
On June 10, 1982, I quit smoking FOREVER! I have 3 friends who are currently giving up this health-killing habit. It's not easy. But, you know what, it's the best thing I could have ever done (and the hardest).
This is how I felt on the first day: HORRIBLE! All I could think of was smoking. Just one puff, just a sniff. I couldn't wait to go to bed that night so I could stop thinking about it. I was tired, cranky, mean, miserable, depressed, ticked off at the world, and yet, I stayed the course. My coughing increased a bit (my lungs were already cleaning up the damage). I was constantly chewing on hard candy. I held a small pencil between my 2 cigarette-holding fingers so that my brain would "think" I had a cigarette in my hand. I had a rubber band on my wrist which I snapped every time I had an uncontrollable urge to smoke. I wrote in a diary about my successes. My activities included ONLY things that would not allow smoking. In 1982, that part was difficult. Church, the library and local movie theaters were pretty much the only places where you couldn't smoke. These days, nonsmokers have lots of places to visit where smoking is NOT allowed. Yay for us! I never could understand smoking and no smoking sections in restaurants. Smoke goes where it wants to go. How can a no smoking section stay smoke-free when the smoking section is in the same room? Duh! A few restaurants had a "no smoking table" near the restrooms (I always thought the manager was a smoker when that happened). It was the manager's way to "get even" with nonsmokers when laws started tightening up. Wow, now nonsmokers are the majority. Yay for that!
I saved up all of my cigarette butts from the previous 2 weeks of smoking, put them in a jar, and filled the jar with water. When I had a strong urge to smoke, I opened the jar and took a whiff. Gross! But it worked. Who wants to smell like that? And yes, that's what a smoker smells like. You don't realize it until you're off cigarettes for a week or so. When food smells like food again and flowers are fragrant, you begin to realize just how nasty smoking is. Even my dog was healthier. Yes, dogs, cats and children breathe in second-hand smoke making them more susceptible to illness, allergies and difficulty breathing.
If you are able, exercise. Take long walks. Drink fluids. Lots of water. Try to stay away from caffeinated beverages for a short while since caffeine is similar to nicotine and may increase your cravings. Alcohol is also something to avoid for a while. Most of all, change how you live. Avoid situations where you used to smoke. I stopped sitting at the kitchen table in the morning. That's where I smoked the most. I changed my routine. I got up, ate in the dining room, and got busy.
It takes time to be a nonsmoker. It took me 2 years to mentally kick the habit. Yes, 2 years. It took 22 years to become a 2-3 pack per day smoker. However, after only 2 weeks, my body was free of the nicotine cravings. Now, 27 years later, I have absolutely no desire to smoke. I hate the smell. I just had a lung capacity test (pulmonary function test), and I passed with flying colors. My lungs are as healthy as a nonsmoker's lungs.
So, hang in there. It gets better and better. There are gums and medications that can help, but my recommendation is to try everything else first. One more thing, beware of "jealous" smokers who will sabotage your efforts. Avoid them until you are comfortable with your new status. Or invite them to join you in quitting. Make a no smoking rule at your house, inside and outside. I did, and I didn't lose any friends.
This is how I felt on the first day: HORRIBLE! All I could think of was smoking. Just one puff, just a sniff. I couldn't wait to go to bed that night so I could stop thinking about it. I was tired, cranky, mean, miserable, depressed, ticked off at the world, and yet, I stayed the course. My coughing increased a bit (my lungs were already cleaning up the damage). I was constantly chewing on hard candy. I held a small pencil between my 2 cigarette-holding fingers so that my brain would "think" I had a cigarette in my hand. I had a rubber band on my wrist which I snapped every time I had an uncontrollable urge to smoke. I wrote in a diary about my successes. My activities included ONLY things that would not allow smoking. In 1982, that part was difficult. Church, the library and local movie theaters were pretty much the only places where you couldn't smoke. These days, nonsmokers have lots of places to visit where smoking is NOT allowed. Yay for us! I never could understand smoking and no smoking sections in restaurants. Smoke goes where it wants to go. How can a no smoking section stay smoke-free when the smoking section is in the same room? Duh! A few restaurants had a "no smoking table" near the restrooms (I always thought the manager was a smoker when that happened). It was the manager's way to "get even" with nonsmokers when laws started tightening up. Wow, now nonsmokers are the majority. Yay for that!
I saved up all of my cigarette butts from the previous 2 weeks of smoking, put them in a jar, and filled the jar with water. When I had a strong urge to smoke, I opened the jar and took a whiff. Gross! But it worked. Who wants to smell like that? And yes, that's what a smoker smells like. You don't realize it until you're off cigarettes for a week or so. When food smells like food again and flowers are fragrant, you begin to realize just how nasty smoking is. Even my dog was healthier. Yes, dogs, cats and children breathe in second-hand smoke making them more susceptible to illness, allergies and difficulty breathing.
If you are able, exercise. Take long walks. Drink fluids. Lots of water. Try to stay away from caffeinated beverages for a short while since caffeine is similar to nicotine and may increase your cravings. Alcohol is also something to avoid for a while. Most of all, change how you live. Avoid situations where you used to smoke. I stopped sitting at the kitchen table in the morning. That's where I smoked the most. I changed my routine. I got up, ate in the dining room, and got busy.
It takes time to be a nonsmoker. It took me 2 years to mentally kick the habit. Yes, 2 years. It took 22 years to become a 2-3 pack per day smoker. However, after only 2 weeks, my body was free of the nicotine cravings. Now, 27 years later, I have absolutely no desire to smoke. I hate the smell. I just had a lung capacity test (pulmonary function test), and I passed with flying colors. My lungs are as healthy as a nonsmoker's lungs.
So, hang in there. It gets better and better. There are gums and medications that can help, but my recommendation is to try everything else first. One more thing, beware of "jealous" smokers who will sabotage your efforts. Avoid them until you are comfortable with your new status. Or invite them to join you in quitting. Make a no smoking rule at your house, inside and outside. I did, and I didn't lose any friends.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
ANOTHER LOSS OF LIFE
I am sad to report that someone I know has died from lung cancer. This happened yesterday. He was 67. He was probably 1 of 100's who died this week from lung cancer caused by cigarette smoking.
The government has raised the taxes on a pack of cigarettes by 62 cents. The state of Florida will be adding to that amount I am told. Smokers are outraged. They think they are being forced to pay higher prices to help the economy. Actually, the taxes were raised in order to finance the expansion of health insurance for children. Ironically, this health insurance initiative was signed by President Barack Obama, himself rumored to be a smoker unable to kick the habit. However, he can afford his cigarettes. There were some nasty comments posted on the internet about the increase. One person said they will smoke no matter what. Another person said it's unfair that smokers have to be punished. My heart goes out to them. I used to smoke, so I can truly sympathize. But, I also know what it's like to be free from nicotine addiction. It's scary when you smoke and someone says the price is going up. There are people buying cigarettes in bulk before the big tax increase. Hello, Mr. Camilleri, are you listening. Your bonus is about to get bigger because I am sure your company will follow suit and up the costs even more, and there are people willing to pay the price. Shame on you.
May the families of those who have died of any smoking related illness be comforted in knowing that there are people out there fighting for justice. May you find peace. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Until next time, let's keep fighting and save lives!
The government has raised the taxes on a pack of cigarettes by 62 cents. The state of Florida will be adding to that amount I am told. Smokers are outraged. They think they are being forced to pay higher prices to help the economy. Actually, the taxes were raised in order to finance the expansion of health insurance for children. Ironically, this health insurance initiative was signed by President Barack Obama, himself rumored to be a smoker unable to kick the habit. However, he can afford his cigarettes. There were some nasty comments posted on the internet about the increase. One person said they will smoke no matter what. Another person said it's unfair that smokers have to be punished. My heart goes out to them. I used to smoke, so I can truly sympathize. But, I also know what it's like to be free from nicotine addiction. It's scary when you smoke and someone says the price is going up. There are people buying cigarettes in bulk before the big tax increase. Hello, Mr. Camilleri, are you listening. Your bonus is about to get bigger because I am sure your company will follow suit and up the costs even more, and there are people willing to pay the price. Shame on you.
May the families of those who have died of any smoking related illness be comforted in knowing that there are people out there fighting for justice. May you find peace. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Until next time, let's keep fighting and save lives!
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