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Stop Smoking
http://www.mytimetostart.co.za
Do you smoke?
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the world
Smoking:
- Kills up to 1 in every 2 users
- Is a risk factor for 6 of the 8 leading causes of death in the world, including:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Various cancers (especially lung, lip, tongue, mouth, throat, vocal cords, oesophagus, stomach, colon and cervix cancer)
- On average, smoking reduces lifespan by 15 years
Smoking is an addiction
Smoking is more than a habit. It’s an addiction to nicotine. That’s why you may feel irritable or anxious when you don’t have a cigarette, and why it is so difficult to stop.
When you smoke, nicotine reaches the brain in 10-16 seconds and releases chemicals which make you feel good. The problem is, your body doesn’t want that feeling to stop, and craves more nicotine, so you keep smoking.
Due to this addiction, you may experience the following withdrawal symptoms after your last cigarette:
- Depression
- Light-headedness
- Sleep disturbance
- Irritability or aggression
- Restlessness
- Impaired concentration
- Increased appetite
Cravings are sometimes intense and may also persist for many months, especially if triggered by situational cues.
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