Smoking Kills

Smoking Makes Your Breath Stink

When you breath in cigarette smoke the smell stays in your mouth as well as on your mouth as well as your hair and clothes. The smell from one cigarette can stay on your breath for a long time. Your breath will stink and everyone near you can smell it. even if they are too polite to tell you so. No one like to be close to someone whose breath stinks!

Smoking Stains Your Teeth

It's the tar in cigarettes that causes brown to black stains on your teeth, This condition can make us unattractive. Beware of using hard toothbrushes and abrasive toothpastes to scrub away  the stains as these can damage the tooth surface. Besides, the stains will keep forming on your teeth as long as you continue to smoke.

Smoking Causes Gum disease

Studies have shown that smokers are more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers.Gum disease makes your gums red  and swollen. It causes bad breath as well. In the advanced stage, the jaw bone around the teeth becomes weak making teeth loose. Without proper bone support, the teeth may have to removed and you'll be left with ugly gaps in your smile. TRUST it aren't a pretty sight!

Smoking Causes Cancer of the Mouth

Besides the other cancers, smoking can also cause cancer of the mouth. This usually starts off as an innocent white or red patch which you may not even be aware of. If you don't quit smoking, this patch can turn cancerous. The good news is that , as soon as you quit smoking, the risk of develping cancers starts to drop.

How to beat the smoking system

Kicking the smoking habit will only bring benefits, the most important benefit being your health. Whether you are an occasional or heavy smoker you can succeed if you follow the tips outlined below.

Start by making a personal pledge. For example : I, (your name ) , want to quit smoking, I will do my best to kick the habit. I know I can and I will. Sign and date of Signature.

• Selecting a date to quit encourages you to act on your words. The date should not be too far off. It should be within the next two weeks.
• Take plenty of water.Drink at least 6-8 glasses each day. This helps to get rid of the nicotine from your body.
• Opt for a high fibre diet. Examples of high fibre food are vegetables and fruits. A high fibre diet helps to calm your nerves as you get rid of the nicotine in your body.
• Postpone Lighting up a cigarette. Identify whose times when you are most likely to smoke and think of ways to resist, eg. if you usually smoke after a meal, plan to go for a stroll with a peppermint sweet in your mouth instead.
• Substitute cigarettes with sweets, sour, plums, etc. This helps to overcome the feeling of missing something in your  mouth.
• Manage your stress level. Practice deep breathing exercises or any other activities you find relaxing. When you are relaxed , you can cope with the craving better.
• Overcome the urge to smoke by planning ahead. The craving for a cigarette will go off if ignored for a few minutes. Keep yourself busy during these few minutes.
• Keep your mind off cigarettes by doing other activities.Healthy activities help you to forget about smoking.
• Identify reasons for quiting smoking and remember them. Remember your reasons for quitting will keep you motivated.
• Never keep cigarettes and a lighter. Throw your lighter and cigarettes away on your quit day. This is to reduce temptation.
• Get support from family and friends. Their encouragement and support will help you succeed.

( notice all the first letters spell STOP SMOKING)

DO YOU KNOW?

1. 90% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.
2. 85% of chronic bronchitis and emphysema are caused by smoking.
3. 95% of patients with cardiovascular disease are smokers.
4. Smokers are 3-4 times more likely to get heart attacks.
5. 30-70 percent of cancers of the mouth , throat, gullet, kidney, bladder and pancreas are related to smoking.
6. Smoking is an important factor in male impotence and female infertility.
7. Passive smoking can cause lung cancer.
8. Smoking makes you less fit.
9. Smoking can make a person appear older then his age.
10. Servicemen in uniform are not allowed to smoke in public places.

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