Introduction
Smoking has been around since the beginning of civilization. Not long ago, say 40-50 years ago, 
the overwhelming evidence of the negative effects of cigarettes was not yet widely known. That time has come and gone. Since then many people have been wise to the dangers and chosen to quit or never start. Since nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on the planet, even having 1 cigarette puts you at risk.
Now, vaping and e-cigarettes looks to replace cigarettes. Many see these as better alternatives to smoking tobacco cigarettes. Yet, most vaping brands have nicotine in them, and they all have a long list of cancer-causing carcinogens.
Smoking Cigarettes
Let’s go straight to the video. Here is the eye-opening reality of cigarette smoking and its impact on the body. Take a deep breath, fill your lungs, heart, and brain with oxygen, and hit play.
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That is a bleak reality. Are you ready to pour water on that last pack of cigarettes and never touch them again for the rest of your life??
If you are not a smoker, are you ready to share this link with your friends and family who do smoke?
Knowledge is power and you now have the knowledge that smoking cigarettes kills. The good news is that once a person stops, the body has an amazing ability to heal.
The Benefits of Quitting Cigarettes
Heartrate goes down after quitting for 1 hour. Healing and restoration can come to your whole body. Your skin health will also begin to improve. You can choose to stop the damage.
In the First Week After Quitting
- Your heart rate and blood pressure will lower.
- Your sense of smell may return, and food will taste better
- Nicotine will have left the body and some withdrawal symptoms may occur around the 3rd
After One Month
- Lung function will start to improve and shortness of breath symptoms may diminish.
After 9-12 Months
- The lungs may have experienced significant healing and the cilia (cleansing hairs) in the lungs are recovered from the damaging effects of smoking.
After 1 year
- The risk for coronary heart disease is cut in half and will continue to go down.
The health benefits to quitting smoking are numerous. Your clothes and home will also smell much better! Look for activities that reduce stress and promote calmness like exercise, meditation, and deep breathing. Connecting with nature has helped so many people to live in harmony with what the body needs day in and day out.
Suggested Action Step
Try getting grounded or earthing as it’s becoming known. This is simply connecting with the earth that we are already connected to. Go outside, take your shoes off and stand on the grass or the concrete. Grounding yourself to the ground even for a few minutes can bring down inflammation in the body and fill you with electrons from the earth. There are even earthing mats to place your feet on while at your computer workstation, or to put under your sheets while sleeping at night.
Vaping and E-Cigarettes
Now let’s look at vaping and smoking e-cigarettes. As we said, many believe this is a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes with its harmful impacts. The truth is, we don’t know the long-term effects of vaping.
Here is a video on the dangers.
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What were some of the most toxic chemicals in vape and e-cigarette products?
Do we know the long-term effects of vaping?
Make Your Own Decision
You can be savvy to the techniques of advertisers and how they entice people to use their products. You aren’t choosing to use their product simply because they are glamorizing it or dressing it up pretty. You are deciding if their product will bring benefits and value to your life. Is this good for you? Of course, just because other people are doing it does not mean this justifies you jumping on that train.
Don’t Quit Quitting
If you have switched from smoking cigarettes to e-cigarettes or vaping are you ready to take the next step? Think about the benefits you have already experienced and look to maximize the benefits by replacing bad habits with positive and healthy practices. Nicotine is very addictive, that’s true. That doesn’t mean you can’t quit, you can. No matter what form you have been using, you can overcome the urges and the triggers and live without these harmful habits.
Here are some encouraging phrases you can lean on to help inspire you.
I am determined to quit, and I will not give up.
I know my life will improve when I make that decision.
I will save money and be more financially responsible.
Oxygen is really important.
Habits don’t control me.
I care about the health of others.
Making this decision is life-giving.
Question for Reflection: How do you feel about your own smoking or others smoking? Do you wish you could quit? Do you tell others that smoking is a bad habit and they should consider quitting?
Helpful Links
More Information on Quitting Smoking and Vaping
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping