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Maybe you will….maybe you won't. Once you may have……but now you don't!Smoking is something that even if you are sensible enough to have not started as yet, you are certainly likely to be offered at some point. Now, this may sound like I am suggesting cigarette pushing in dark and gloomy alley ways…like with so many other images we have with drugs. But seriously, you are likely to be offered a cigarette at a friends house, at a party, in a shopping centre….anywhere! You might have heard in the media that smoking is being banned in certain areas in Scotland and that British government have announced similar plans. This is for lots of reasons but involves issues about being healthy and encouraging people to look after themselves. |
If you don't smoke, but are thinking about starting, please think very carefully
about the following :-
Do you think that smoking will help you fit in with a group of mates? Do you think it makes you look older, tougher or sexier?
Well let's be frank about this. You might look older because of effects that smoking can have on your health. You might feel tougher for while, but how tough are you going to look when your coughing and spluttering in front of everyone, or even worse getting sick as a result of smoking. Finally, think about when that special person you have been desperate to go out with, finally asks you out and your first kiss ends in disaster because they feel like they just had a full-on snog with an ash tray…..yeah…very attractive!
There are lots of myths about smoking such as stopping your appetite, helping you relax and so on. Read the facts before you start with the excuses.
If you are smoking already, I could start lecturing you about how stupid you are and what a mistake you have made….well I won't. You're not stupid and you are smart enough to realise the dangers of smoking. The important thing is that you really think about these dangers and make a decision about getting some help to stop before it becomes too late.
Do you want to risk bad skin, bad teeth, and the effects of all of those chemicals in the cigarettes? Do you want to smell like a stale night club and have really interesting (and I'm being polite here!) mouth odour? As much as you say it's your own choice and no-one can tell you what to do…..how much are you being controlled by your addiction….who's the boss of you now then! Obviously there are other risks related to heart disease and cancer that don't just affect elderly people. Young people a long way from drawing their pensions are badly affected by serious health problems. Don't become one of them.
You can talk to your school nurse, tutor, connexions adviser or your doctor about giving up. There are lots of programmes available to help people stop smoking. These range from nicotine patches, gum and sprays, counselling, acupunture, complementary therapies and information and support services. Don't ever feel alone. There are many people wanting to give up and many people wanting to help you. Getting support from your friends is helpful, but if they are against the idea, just keep focused by remembering the long-term benefits to your health and lifestyle. Are these so-called friends worth the risk of dangers above? Think about yourself and try and encourage them to do the same thing. Take a deep breath…and focus on how great it feels to do that…….without any restrictions.
Give up now and don't give your addiction any more time that it has had already.!
http://www.givingupsmoking.co.uk/
- Give Up Smoking - help if you want to give up
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/smoking/
- It's my Life - Information on smoking
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
- Smoking ban approved in Scotland
http://news.bbc.co.uk/
- BBC News - Smoking Ban proposed for England
Good luck and stay happy and healthy!
Jennie Glitherow
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