Taking the O.K out of Smoking

Did you know that some people will literally lose a limb due to a smoking related disease?  Scary thought, isn't it?   

During the course of only one year, one Australian state recorded the removal of the following body parts due to smoking related cancers and peripheral vascular diseases.

• 71 tongues

• 148 oesophagi

• 221 larynxes or voice boxes

• 82 stomachs

• 521 lungs

• 40 pancreases

• 115 kidneys

• 68 wombs

• 85 bladders

• 161 miscellaneous body parts

• 798 legs

Smoking accounts for about 30% of all cancers and is a major cause of heart disease.  Smoking is also linked to conditions such as gastric ulcers, chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.

Here are some ingredients found in tobacco smoke and their common uses:

• sulphur dioxide - a food preservative

• hydrogen sulphide or "rotten egg gas" - antiseptic or bleach

• acetone - nail polish remover

•  ammonia - toilet and floor cleaner

• cadmium - battery fluid

• D D T - a former insecticide, now banned due to its danger to humans

• dieldrin - insecticide

• napthalene - moth repellents and explosives

• arsenic - the preferred poison of many murder mystery writers

• butane - lighter fluid, refrigerant and aerosol propellant

• methanol - anti freeze fluid and fuel

• carbon monoxide - a poisonous gas absorbed in the blood.  This leaves the body with less oxygen and forces the heart to work harder

• nicotine - a powerful poison which increases blood pressure and heart rate and also the addictive part of tobacco

• tars - these are poisonous chemical compounds which collect on the lungs

Quitting smoking will greatly reduce your cancer risk, compared with the continuing smoker even after you have smoked for many years.  If you quit smoking, within two days all of the nicotine by products will have left your body.  After 10 to 15 months your risk of death form all causes, including lung cancer, will be close to that of someone who has never smoked. 

There are aids available to help you to stop smoking.

Nicorette Gum is a sugar free Nicotine Replacement Therapy that helps smokers control their cravings with a flexible dosage.  It is available in 2mg and 4mg strengths and a choice of three flavours, classic, mint and new citrus.

Nicorette Regular Strength (2mg) Gum generally suits moderate smokers ( those who smoke less than 20 cigarettes a day ) while Extra Strength (4mg) is more suited for heavy smokers  those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day ).  Used correctly, Nicorette Gum will double your chances of quitting successfully and should be used for a period of at least three months.

The Nicorette 16 Hour Patch works by providing nicotine in controlled amounts into your body.  Nicotine is released through your skin over 16 hours to help relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms.  It is important to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine until you can do without it.

Nicorette Inhaler suits smokers who feel they would miss not having something to do with their hands in place of holding a cigarette and also suits smokers who want to control their cravings when they occur.  When you puff on the mouthpiece, the cartridge releases nicotine to relieve your craving.  Nicotine is vaporised and absorbed through the lining of the mouth.  The amount of nicotine in the Nicorette Inhaler is sufficient to help overcome the withdrawal symptoms but is lower than the amount of nicotine which you get from smoking.

The above information is only a guide to some of the products available and choosing the right product to suit your needs should be discussed with our health professional.