Steemit Engagement Challenge Season 8 Week 3: "Smoking Kills"

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One of the graphic pictorial warning messages on tobacco products packaging label in Nigeria has this written on it; "The Federal Ministry of Health warns that smokers and liable to die young" Another "Smoking causes early death" and "Smoking 🚬 seriously harm you and others around you" yes smoking kills!

Smoking is not for anyone who desires to live a happy 😊 and long life, this is because there's a probability of 1 in 2 long-term smokers being eventually killed by tobacco. Research from World Health Organization indicates that more than 6Million people died from the smoking-related disease every year, and it's projected that more people, about 8 million will die from smoking by 2030.

Smoking causes lung Cancer and a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that 9 out of 10 Lungs Cancer death are caused by smoking.

Smoking harm nearly All organs of the body and negatively affect a person's overall health, it causes other Cancer like Leukemia, Cervix, Mouth/Throat, Pancreas, and Colon/Rectum Cancers.

It alters teenagers' brain development, lessening their ability to control their impulses as well as harming their memory and their ability to concentrate.

Smoking makes a person's breath stinks 😩 it causes cough and shortness of breath. It stains the smoker's teeth and fingers making them look yellowish brown. And smokers' skins usually wrinkle and look old and they likely develop skin problems.

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Smoking harms others and pollutes the environment, for example, children whose parents smoke are more likely to develop bronchitis or pneumonia in their early stage of life than kids who live in homes where no one smokes.

Pregnant women who smoke endanger their newborn babies because nicotine can cause stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and death among newborns. How sad 😭 this has stopped but how? Let's find out first why people become addicted to smoking.

I believe the main reason people become addicted to smoking is nicotine, this chemical substance contained in tobacco, and it normally causes the brain to release dopamine feel-good hormones into the body, so over time the smoker's brain will crave and yearn for the feeling nicotine gives. And people tend to use more and more tobacco to feel good or high perse.

I've found out from a few smokers how they used to feel after smoking, and I was told that it normally energized them and help them to be focused, again this is because the nicotine in tobacco reacted with the adrenal gland to release adrenaline into the body. This is why smokers turn to smoking if they are angry, depressed, or confused 😕 because they want to suppress the feelings. I'm I addicted to smoking before?

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Nope I never smoke before, and I don't even like staying around where people smoke, this is because smoking hurt others, yes inhaling smoke from cigarettes is as bad as smoking 🚬. I knew someone who was addicted to smoking before, my neighbor friend and I observed that he has trouble Controlling where, when, and how often he smoked, he normally felt grumpy, easily angered, and anxious, if he stopped using tobacco thirdly, he always thinks and craves a cigarette many time a day. And lastly, he normally felt happy and relieved 😅 after smoking. Guess what? I was able to help him quit, and find out how in the next paragraph.

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As a non-smoker who is aware of the dangers of smoking, I normally help some of my acquaintances who smoke to be aware of the harmful effects of smoking on their health, though it can be frustrating when a loved one or friend smokes, nagging won't help, neither coercion, begging or ridicule is the solution! Also, condescending lectures will not help a smoker to quit instead he/she may reach for a cigarette to ease the emotional pains.

First I tried to know why they normally smoke and asked them to record when and where they normally smoke during a typical day. This has helped them to know situations that may tempt them to smoke after quitting.

I understand that quitting is difficult, and it's even harder for some. I know that I can't make a person quit smoking, yes the inner strength and conviction to quit must come from the smoker. So I only used to find loving ways to encourage and support the desire to quit. I used to help those who decided to quit smoking when they have withdrawal symptoms like depression, irritability, and difficulty sleeping to know that it's just a temporary signs to show that their body is adjusting to a new and healthy equilibrium.

I don't use to overreact if there's a relapse, I'm always compassionate seeing the situation as a learning experience, making it more likely that the next attempt will be a success!

CONCLUSIONS:

I maintain the view that smokers are liable to die young, life is a precious gift from the Almighty God, so I can't waste it for simple temporary pleasure, I value life and I urge all to do the same. Hello dear @okere-blessing @eliany and @inspiracion, I would like to read your view on smoking. Thank!