The changing face of smoke

    In 1963, New Zealand banned advertising for tobacco products on television and radio and in 1973 it was banned in cinemas and on billboards and print ads were restricted to half-pages. In 1990 The Smokefree Amendment Act was passed, and since then it has become increasingly hard to market the product with only imported magazines, TV shows, and movies the only everyday mediums in which to find cigarettes mentioned.
    Basically, smoking has gradually become harder and harder to promote.
    Now we can’t smoke in pubs, more and more places are becoming 100% smoke free, taxes are pretty high, there’s those gross pictures on the packets, and they make you age a lot faster than you would like. In 2005, Bhutan became the world’s first non-smoking nation, making it illegal to sell tobacco or smoke in public. And then there’s that whole killing you thing. So why do people still continue to smoke?
    It’s no surprise that World Health Organisation (WHO) studies show that most smokers (especially in affluent countries) begin in their teens. From there it is just a matter of time for those cravings to start and it becomes an addiction.
    What makes them addictive? Well nicotine is an alkaloid found in the leaves of the tobacco plant. It is a poison used by the plants as self-defence against insects. Nicotine also causes the release of dopamine, a natural neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of pleasure, and it can also increase adrenaline. The short: it makes you feel good. Well, for now anyway.
    I don’t want to bore you with all the different types of cancer and other gross things that cigarettes cause as I am sure you have heard it all before, but here are some helpful tips on how to take the first few steps to stomp on those butts like you mean it.
    First of all, different methods suit different people, um, differently, so find a plan that works for you. Some people can go cold turkey, while others prefer a gradual decline. If the latter suits you, then set a goal. If you have a set date to work towards (the sooner the better), you will have a motivating factor.
    When in the early stages of quitting, it is important to have the support of friends and family and to make people aware of your desire to quit. Do not hang around smokers, and if you can get a friend to quit with you, then the peer support they can offer is hugely helpful.
    I have had a couple of close friends quit, and yes their nerves get a little short at times. It is important to let people know that you may be a little high strung, as the results can be less than fun.
    If the nicotine pangs are too much, the pads and gum can provide some relief. The gum is quite good because you are occupying your mouth, and you can also eventually make the switch from nicotine gum to ordinary gum and kick the cravings all together.
    I’ve also heard that replacing the cigarette in the fingers with something of similar shape like a carrot stick can provide some mental relief as occupying your hands will make you feel calmer and less exposed.
    When you have a craving, remember the 4 Ds: delay (cravings often only last a few minutes), deep breathe (to relax yourself), drink water (helps to flush nicotine out of your system), do something else (like take a walk, have something to eat, etc). These simple steps can help take your mind off the sweet taste of tobacco. Also, try to avoid situations where you would normally smoke, and throw away all reminders of the pastime from around your house.
    If anything, you shouldn’t smoke because you know that you are making rich those big companies that knowingly lied to consumers about the addictive qualities of nicotine and the severe consequences of using their products. I don’t know about you, but that would be enough to make me want to stick those devil sticks in certain people’s ears.
    So basically, you live longer, look better and younger, have more money, smell better, and don’t get lectured to by P Money.