Smoking cessation is possible if you desire to give up smoking, create a strong will to avoid a smoking relapse, understand the consequences of smoking and follow, finish and maintain a no smoking plan to become a successful non-smoker. Many smokers take advantage of the numerous smoking cessation aids available on the market. These include nicotine replacement therapy (NRTs) as well as prescription medications like Chantix.
Smoking is a very dangerous addiction, yet people can’t give it up easily. Find out why smoking is so addictive, what are the problems that result from smoking, what are the treatment methods for it, what the benefits of quitting are and much more about smoking here.

Why is smoking so addictive?

Smoking rushes nicotine to the brain and this is the fastest method of delivery; smoking also gives smokers precise control over their nicotine intake. Therefore, both ‘speed and control’ greatly enhance the addictive effect of nicotine on the brain. Smoking actually introduces nicotine to the pulmonary beds of the lungs from where nicotine is directly transported to the brain in seconds.

Nicotine mimics the neurotransmitter acetylcholine; it binds to and activates the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Once nicotine reaches the brain, it quickly spreads to the activated brain regions such as reward, memory and learning centers. These firing receptors cause the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and addiction. So, in order to maintain these dopamine levels, a person needs to smoke frequently. Smoking may actually maintain dopamine levels by reducing enzymes that break it down or by increasing the level of molecules that inhibit dopamine clean up.

Simultaneously, nicotine also influences other areas of the brain that control mood, energy levels and memory as well as cause long-lasting neurological changes. As a result, the brain gets used to a constant dose of nicotine and therefore when you stop smoking, you experience withdrawal symptoms. This also makes it a difficult habit to kick.

What is passive smoking and what are the risks?

Passive smoking can be defined as involuntary inhalation of secondhand tobacco smoke. This secondhand tobacco smoke is a mixture of smoke exhaled by active smokers as well as smoke released from smoldering tobacco, diluted with ambient air. Passive smoking generally occurs in closed environments, but open environments are equally prone. Passive smokers are also exposed to carcinogens and toxic components present in secondhand tobacco smoke.

Passive smoking can have serious effects on an individual’s health. The health effects of passive smoking are as serious and debilitating as smoking itself. The risks outlined below have been linked with passive smoking.

Cancer – About 3,000 cancer-related non smoker deaths are directly attributed to passive smoking each year.

Heart diseases – Approximately 50,000 non smoker deaths occur from heart related issues and can be linked to passive smoking.

Respiratory diseases and problems – Second hand smoke causes higher rates of lower respiratory infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia. It is also a contributory factor for upper respiratory irritation and infections as well as decreased lung function.

Ear infections – Passive smoking is accountable for an increased number of ear infections.

Low birth weight – Second hand smoke is responsible for 10,000 low birth weight births a year and is a major factor for many infant deaths.

Asthma – Second hand smoke is responsible for nearly 8,000 new cases of asthma annually.

Sudden infant death syndrome – Passive smoking is related to nearly 2,000 cases of SIDS each year.

Stillbirths – Passive smoking is also accountable for an increased risk of still births and spontaneous abortions.

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