Quit Smoking

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The Background On Smoking

Smoking tobacco plays a lead role in the modern world. For centuries it has lubricated business deals, peace and war. Advertising, product placement and social dynamics make smoking cigarettes extremely seductive for a modern man. Cigarettes are directly linked to dozens of cancers, but even hard medical facts aren't enough to convince most smokers to quit. Why do we continue to smoke, disregarding fact and our own better senses?

The Data.

As the mountain of statistics and direct links with cancer grows, smoking has never been so demonstrably bad for health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one billion men smoke, over one third of these are Chinese. The WHO suggests that in the future, citing present trends, developing countries will represent the largest group of smokers. This doesn't diminish the danger of cancers and other chronic health diseases for those who presently smoke. America's Center for Disease Control (CDC) links smoking directly to 1,200 daily deaths. Further the CDC states that smokers will lose on average 13 to 14 years of life.

The Angle

Big Tobacco is effective in making smoking cigarettes highly desirable, especially for men. Of all the products and companies, Philip Morris, ranks sixth in worldwide advertising expenditures. Fictional characters and film stars have extraordinary influence on the global economy, and product endorsement is one of the most effective means of advertisement. In a recent CDC survey, half of British smokers believed that a lack of cigarette advertisement regulation by the government indicated smoking was safe. Because of the immense sums of money and energy poured into cigarette advertisements, smokers find it very difficult to kick the habit; especially when they are surrounded by so many cues.

The Male Mind.

Even if it's hard to admit to, people are strongly influenced by group dynamics and the 'cool-factor'. The result of very successful advertisement and powerful peer-influence is ignorance of hard medical fact. Ad-agencies have engrained generations of men with the idea that smoking is equivalent to sex-appeal, rebellion, physical-prowess and success. What man can honestly say he desires none of these things? The link between the smoking and societies' definitions of men are so well established that perhaps even in the face of mounting medical evidence, men will still choose to smoke.

Smokers and Life.

As smoking becomes increasingly less socially acceptable, the multitude of male smokers will surely drop and we are seeing the emergence of this downward trend. But, It is as important to allow individuals the right to smoke as it is to protect those who wish not to. Ultimately the choice to smoke is one which will lead to many preventable deaths, but also one which cannot be denied. The CDC estimates that each cigarette removes five minutes from your life-clock, but many smokers feel that sometimes the five minutes it takes to light up is just as profound. Without question, smoking will kill you - but if you choose to smoke, make certain to respect those who choose not to.

 

 

 

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