Smoking Awareness About Reasons For Continued Smoking

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Smoking Awareness About Reasons For Continued Smoking

The reasons given by smokers for this activity are broadly categorized as “addictive smoking”, “pleasure from smoking”, “tension reduction/relaxation”, “social smoking”, “stimulation”, “habit/automatism”, and “handling”. There are gender differences in how much each of these reasons contribute, with females more likely than males to cite “tension reduction/relaxation”, “stimulation” and “social smoking”.

Some smokers[who?] argue that the depressant effect of smoking allows them to calm their nerves, often allowing for increased concentration. However, according to the Imperial College London, “Nicotine seems to provide both a stimulant and a depressant effect, and it is likely that the effect it has at any time is determined by the mood of the user, the environment and the circumstances of use. Studies have suggested that low doses have a depressant effect, whilst higher doses have stimulant effect.” However, it is impossible to differentiate a drug effect brought on by nicotine use, and the alleviation of nicotine withdrawal.[citation needed]

Smoking Awareness About Religious views on smoking

In most major religions, tobacco smoking is not specifically prohibited, although it may be discouraged as an immoral habit.

Communal smoking of a sacred tobacco pipe is a common ritual of many Native American tribes, and was considered a sacred part of their religion. Sema, the Anishinaabe word for tobacco, was grown for ceremonial use and considered the ultimate sacred plant since its smoke was believed to carry prayers to the heavens. The tobacco used during these rituals varies widely in potency — the Nicotiana rustica species used in South America, for instance, has up to twice the nicotine content of the common North American N. tabacum.

Before the health risks of smoking were identified through controlled study, smoking was considered an immoral habit by certain Christian preachers and social reformers. The founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, Joseph Smith, Jr, recorded that on February 27, 1833, he received a revelation which addressed tobacco use. Eventually accepted as a commandment, adherent Mormons do not smoke.

Jehovah’s Witnesses base their stand against smoking on the Bible’s command to “clean ourselves of every defilement of flesh” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

The Jewish Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan (1838–1933) was one of the first Jewish authorities to speak out on smoking.

In the Sikh religion, tobacco smoking is strictly forbidden.

Smoking Awareness About Smoking cessation

Many of tobacco’s health effects can be minimized through smoking cessation. The British doctors study showed that those who stopped smoking before they reached 30 years of age lived almost as long as those who never smoked. It is also possible to reduce the risks by reducing the frequency of smoking and by proper diet and exercise. Some research has indicated that some of the damage caused by smoking tobacco can be moderated with the use of antioxidants.

Smokers wanting to quit or to temporarily abstain from smoking can use a variety of nicotine-containing tobacco substitutes, or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products to temporarily lessen the physical withdrawal symptoms, the most popular being nicotine gum and lozenges. Nicotine patches are also used for smoking cessation. Medications that do not contain nicotine can also be used, such as bupropion (Zyban or Wellbutrin) and varenicline (Chantix).

Peer support can be helpful, such as that provided by support groups and telephone quitlines.

Demographics

Cigarettes are smoked by over 1.1 billion people. While smoking rates have leveled off or declined in developed nations, in the developing world tobacco consumption continues to rise at a rate of around 3.4% per annum.

Smoking Prevalence by Gender

PERCENT SMOKING
REGION     MEN     WOMEN
Africa     29     4
United States     35     22
Eastern Mediterranean     35     4
Europe     46     26
Southeast Asia     44     4
Western Pacific     60     8
(2000, World Health Organization estimates)

Smoking rates in the United States have dropped by half from 1965 to 2006 falling from 42% to 20.8% of adults.. There are large regional differences in smoking rates, with Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Mississippi topping the list, and Idaho, California and Utah at significantly lower rates.

In Australia the incidence of smoking is in decline, with figures from 2004-5 showing 23% of the population to be current smokers, a decline of 2% compared to 1995. Amongst the indigenous population, the rate is much higher, with 51% of men and 49% of women reported being current daily smokers. Young adults are the most likely age group to smoke, with a marked decline in smoking rates with increasing age. The prevalence of smoking is strongly associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, with over double the rate in the most disadvantaged quintile of the population as compared to the least.

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1 Response to “Smoking Awareness About Reasons For Continued Smoking”


  1. 1Vapor Pak (1 comments.)

    I smoked for 12 yrs. I have been smoke free for almost 2 now. My husband still smokes and gives every excuse in the world on why he just cant quit right now. Once you stop smoking it is so amazing to see what it is like to see a smoker.
    Vapor Pak´s last blog ..How To Stop Smoking Now! My ComLuv Profile

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