Cigar and Cigarette Smoking Portrayed as Glamorous by Beautful Women
We have all seen advertisements which idealize cigar and cigarette smoking by featuring beautiful women smoking cigarettes and celebrities enjoying the refreshment of a smoke. The truth is, this method of advertising works - young girls are drawn to the image and are unconcerned about the later effects on their health. Like most young people, they are motivated to look sophisticated and 'older,' and they don't believe that anything bad will happen to them.
Unfortunately, that is far from the case. Statistics show that cigarette smoking at a young age causes serious health issues, early death, and premature signs of aging.
What are some health risks related to smoking?
The chemicals in cigarettes and cigars cause a laundry list of health problems, none of them pleasant and many of them deadly.
- First and foremost, the risk of cardiovascular disease is more than doubled by smoking cigarettes. High blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, blood clots and aneurism are all related to smoking. Heart disease, in particular, has reached epidemic levels in industrialized nations.
- Women who smoke are 12 times as likely as non-smoking women to die of lung cancer (smoking has been associated with over 80% of lung cancer cases), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis is also a serious health problem associated with smokers.
- Many other types of cancer affect women smokers at an increased rate: oral and throat cancer, cervical cancer, and cancer of the bladder and kidneys are all smoking-related.
- The incidence of osteoporosis is increased by cigarette smoking.
Besides all the serious health risks, cigarette smoking damages the appearance, a primary concern for many women. Skin, hair and nails are all aged prematurely, and the teeth become stained and discolored. Cigarette smoking also causes bad breathe, and the smell of cigarettes can be impossible to remove from clothing. For young girls who think that cigarettes will make them more attractive, this can be a difficult lesson
How do I go about quitting cigarettes?
Quitting cigarette smoking can be one of the hardest things you will ever do. It takes patience, perseverance, and will power. Your doctor can advise you on the best way to quit and provide you with prescriptions for medication to help you. There are also some very good over-the-counter meds you can use to quit smoking.
While you are quitting, you may want to look at some other aspects of your lifestlye. Are eating right, getting plenty of whole grains, fresh produce, and lean protein? Do you exercise regularly to keep your heart and lungs in top condition?
In addition to diet and exercise, you should consider using dietary supplements. The nutrients that have been depleted by smoking need to be replaced, and you will need to replenish your body's ability to heal from the damaging effects of smoking.
You may want to consider a relaxation technique to help you de-stress while you are withdrawing, and spend time with friends and family who support you. Quitting smoking is difficult, but you are giving yourself the gift of a lifetime.
