What is in a cigarette?

Today, I got an idea to write a few tips about Cigarettes and how to quite them, the bad effects and some more information as bellow: (Even though these are health related tips but I am sure it will help some joveniles.)

What is in a cigarette?
Cigarettes contain lots of different chemicals. Check out what is in a cigarette and look at what else it is used for. See if you can guess them all.
1. Ammonia - Used in cleaning products, hair dyes and bleach.
2. Butane - The gas used in lighters and gas fires.
3. Methane - Often comes from cows and generally found in sewer gas.
4. Radon and Polonium - Radon is a radioactive gas; Polonium is known better as fallout from nuclear bombs.
5. Hydrogen cyanide - The poison used in gas chambers.
6. Tar - This is what they use for road surfaces.
7. Cadmium - Used in rechargeable batteries.
8. Formaldehyde - Used for embalming dead bodies.
9. Methanol - Otherwise known as rocket fuel.
10. Acetone - Used in paint thinner and nail varnish remover.
11. Benzene - The gas in Petrol fumes.
12. Stearic Acid - An ingredient in candle wax.
13. Copper - Yes the metal! Found in all the wires and cables in your house.
14. DDT - An insecticide that was banned in 1972 due to cancer fears.
15. Carbon monoxide - The gas that comes out of car exhausts.
16. Bonus points as it's not on the picture - Nicotine.

More facts about cigarettes:
Nicotine is the drug in cigarettes that gets you hooked . Tar is the chemical that gets into your lungs. The carbon monoxide reduces how much oxygen you carry to your body.

The bad effects
There is not a lack of bad effects for us to tell you about when it comes to smoking. In fact, there are so many we can split them into short and long term effects:

Short term effects
• Bad skin. You might not see it but others do, your skin can look aged and pale.
• Yellow round your nails.
• Bad breath. It smells bad, it really does! Smelly clothes and hair. The smell of smoke lingers. Even if you carry gum, getting that smell off your body is not easy.
• Poor physical performance. Even if you are good at sports and a smoker, you will do much better without the cigarettes because your lungs will work better. That is true on the athletic field, in the pool and with any other physical activity.
• Being ill more frequently. You are more likely to get coughs, colds and chest infections. If you have asthma, you are more likely to get an attack.

Long term effects:
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Thin bones
• Stomach ulcers
• Impotence (not being able to get it up/get an erection)
• Lung disease
• Blood clots

There is more and this might seem far off but it happens, if you are worried about how smoking affects your looks click here to read an article on the nhs website.
What's good about being a quitter?
Everything is good about deciding to stop smoking! It is not easy to give up smoking though but the benefits far out way the little struggle you will have to give up because:
• You will reduce the risk of all those long term problems
• Your skin, teeth and breath will all improve
• You will have more money, smoking is very expensive
• You will stop harming other people with your smoking through passive smoking
• You will have taken back control!

Passive smoking:
The smoke that comes off the tip of your cigarette and the stuff which comes out of your mouth hangs around in the air. As you know, cigarettes and smoke contain harmful chemicals. If someone else breaths in your smoke it damages their health too in the same way that it damages yours.

Giving up tips
Thinking about quitting smoking is a big step, you are already on your way to giving up just by thinking about it. Here are some useful tips to help you on your giving up smoking journey:

Put it in writing:
Make a list of why you want to stop smoking. Some reasons might be:
• To save money
• Become healthier
• Smell better
Keeping the list with you and adding to it might make you more motivated to continue.

Get support
Lots of studies have shown that people are more successful at stopping with some help from friends, family and professionals. Come in to CHYPS Plus, visit your GP, or you can ring this support help number 0800 169 0169 (National giving up smoking line).This helps keep up the momentum and means if you have a weak moment, people will be there to help you to get back on track. If you have support, you are twice as likely to be successful!

Set a quit date
This is a good way of working up to stopping. It is a dividing line between the old you and the new you and you can celebrate your giving up smoking day!
Throw away all your cigarettes
If you haven't got any cigarettes, it is more difficult to be tempted.
Wash your clothes
Getting rid of the smell reduces the craving

Avoid triggers
This one is difficult but if you know certain situations make you reach for a cigarette, try and avoid them or reach for something else like gum. Some triggers might include; smoking after eating, smoking when you drink alcohol, smoking with your friends.

Expect some physical symptoms
If you smoke regularly, stopping might make you feel irritable, grumpy, a bit hungry and could give you headaches. These are all withdrawal symptoms.
These symptoms are only temporary and will soon disappear, the worst of it lasts about 2 days.

Use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
This is a way of getting nicotine into your bloodstream without smoking. It can help reduce the cravings that you get without giving you all the dangerous chemicals that cause cancer. It is less likely to get you hooked. NRT is not a magic cure but adults who use it properly, double their chance of quitting. There are lots of things to try such as: gums/ patches/ lozenges/ inhalators. You need to come in and talk to us or your GP so we can work out what is best for you.

Don't give up if you slip up
Lots of people can have a slip up when they are trying to give up smoking. The important thing is not to give up!
Smoking one cigarette does not mean you are a heavy smoker again. Think of why it happened and try and avoid the situation again.

Reward yourself
It's not easy to give up so treat yourself if you are doing well.

Cravings
You will still crave cigarettes for a while but be prepared. Think about putting something else in your mouth for example: gum, sunflower seeds or carrots.
Learn to relax

Try this:
• Take 10 slow, deep breaths and hold the last one
• Then breathe out slowly
• Relax all of your muscles
• Imagine a calm, peaceful place
• Just get away from it all for a moment. Think only about that soothing place.

If you want a cigarette, change what you are doing: leave the room or go outside. Just do something because that can relieve some of the tension.

From the website: http://www.chypsplus.nhs.uk/