Stop Smoking To Save Money

December 21st, 2009 by admin No comments »

Smoking costs more money every year. In 2007, the average price for a pack of cigarettes stood at $4.63 (American dollars, USA average). We will use this price to make our calculations.

Stopping today will save our ten-cigarettes-a-day example $64.82 per month, or $777.84 per year.

What if I smoke more?

Estimates of the average number of cigarettes smoked by the average smoker range from 15-40 per day. We will use 20 cigarettes per day (one pack) as our benchmark average smoker.

If you smoke one pack a day and stop smoking, you’ll save:

$129.64 per month (a very nice dinner or 2 new pairs of shoes)
$1555.68 per year (a week’s stay at a good European hotel)

Two-pack-a-day smokers save over $3000 per year!

Stop smoking and save money over the long term

Instead of spending the money you save when you stop smoking, you could save it. Please note that the following are hypothetical examples (but are easily achievable) and should not be construed as investment advice.

If you take the $1555 you save in a year and put it in a simple savings account, you’ll make about $30 extra dollars per year. Over the course of 10 years, your savings will grow to $1913!

If you smoke one pack of cigarettes per day and stop, and you save the money, you can save enough money to put a newborn child through college. Here are the numbers:

1. You save $1555.68 per year
2. You invest $1555.68 saved per year in a certificate of deposit (assumes 3.5% interest)
3. You roll all savings into a new CD at the same rate
4. You save for 18 years

Net result: $42,337.32

All that money was saved by you – by your decision to stop smoking today.

Indirect savings when you stop smoking

In addition to the extra money you save that goes into your pocket, when you stop smoking you save on health and medical expenses as well.

In 2004, a Duke University study estimated that smoking’s real cost is about $40 per pack. This figure includes:

1. Life and property insurance increases
2. Additional medical care for the smoker
3. Additional medical care for the smoker’s family
4. Lost earnings due to disability

Think about that for a minute: $40 per pack. Suddenly, a plan to stop smoking makes a lot more financial sense.

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What to Expect When You Stop Smoking

December 20th, 2009 by admin No comments »

Tobacco contains nicotine, which is easily as addictive as heroin or crack cocaine. Most tobacco products also contain other chemical additives which have been shown to cause health problems as well. When you decide to stop smoking and cease loading nicotine into your system, your body will experience some very real withdrawal symptoms. If you have smoked for quite some time, both your body and mind are conditioned to expect the input of nicotine and the pleasurable routines with which it is associated.

Physical and Emotional Side Effects of Smoking Cessation

For those addicted to nicotine, the drug works by signaling the brain to increase the level of adrenaline in the bloodstream. The adrenaline then tells the body to go into a survival mode known as ‘fight or flight’. This dumps fatty sugars into the bloodstream and fools the brain into thinking you are not hungry.

Once nicotine is no longer coming into your system, you may also feel a lock of concentration. Plus you may feel irritable, shaky, angry, and you could possibly have trouble sleeping. Additionally, you may notice that your breath is nasty and you may experience nausea or constipation. All of these symptoms, both physical and emotional, are normal and you can deal with them. Stop smoking herbs relieve the mental and physical side effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Mental Challenges Associated With Quitting Nicotine

At some point in the process of giving up smoking, you may question why you ever decided to stop smoking at all! Don’t be alarmed, though. This is completely normal. Just don’t give in to the urge to smoke. Eat a carrot or some celery instead. Above all, try not to take your irritability, nervousness, depression or anger out on those you love. If you must explode, do so in a safe place – hit a pillow, not your spouse.

There Is Light At The End Of This Tunnel – And It Isn’t a Lit Cigarette!

As you walk the road to kicking the nicotine habit for good, remember to take good care of your body while you are going through the withdrawal process. You will find that, one day, you’ll wake up and not reach for a cigarette at all. Before you know it weeks and months will have passed and, at some point, you won’t even be able to remember the exact date you quit. When you’ve reached this stage, consider yourself an absolute victor. You’ve won!

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GreenSmoke Review

December 5th, 2009 by admin No comments »

greensmokeSmoking is a problem, for non-smokers, smokers and those trying to quit alike. Many people find the smell of smoke unpleasant, while others are burden by the expense of the habit. However, trying to quit smoking is extremely difficult. Both the physical addition of smoking and the habit of smoking need to be addressed.

These days, many people are turning to electronic cigarette options, like GreenSmoke, to address the problem of smoking and aid in the process of quitting. However, careful examination of products like Green Smoke is necessary to decide what exactly they really are capable of.

What is Green Smoke?

Green Smoke is one of several easily available electronic cigarette options for purchase online. Green Smoke is a two piece system, with an electronic piece and an atomizer included in each filter cartridge. It can be charged via USB or through a wall outlet. Green Smoke contains nicotine but no tobacco, so the manufacturers claim that Green Smoke does not contain all of the harmful chemicals usually found in a cigarette. They also claim that Green Smoke is much better for the environment as well.

How does Green Smoke work?

The Green Smoke electronic cigarette comes in two pieces. The long, white piece is the battery, while replacement filters, which contain the nicotine, attach to the end. There is an atomizer in each filter, vaporizing the nicotine. This allows for the inhalation of nicotine without any actual smoke, but water vapor instead.

Green Smoke is also marketed as a “social cigarette.” Since there is no actual smoke associated with the Green Smoke electronic cigarette, non-smokers are not bothered by the problem of second hand smoke when spending time with a Green Smoke user. At the most basic level, Green Smoke is a cigarette replacement that many people believe will break them of the habit of smoking all together.

Buy Green Smoke

The Green Smoke electronic cigarette is available for purchase online. Those who are interested in Green Smoke should first understand that while starter kits are available, the Green Cigarette filter cartridges are not permanent and will need to be continually purchased and replaced. Batteries, chargers and other accessories may be purchased separately as well.

The Green Smoke starter kit is available for $140 plus shipping and handling, so it is certainly not an inexpensive option. The Green Smoke starter kit contains one long battery and one short battery, as well as one USB charger and five cartridges. Replacement batteries for Green Smoke cost $40 while additionally cartridges are sold in packs of five for $15 plus shipping and handling.

Is Green Smoke effective to stop smoking?

Those who are interested in utilizing the Green Smoke electronic cigarette to aid in their quest to quit smoking completely are better off looking into other options. There are two aspects to the addition of smoking: the addition to nicotine and the addiction to the actual physical habit of smoking. As Green Smoke is an electronic cigarette made to almost exactly resemble the look and feel of an actual cigarette, using Green Smoke will make no difference in break the actual oral fixation and physical habit associated with cigarette smoking

Those looking to break their addiction to nicotine should realize that Green Smoke does contain a significant amount of nicotine. The only difference that the Green Smoke electronic cigarette makes is the hassle involved with keeping track of all of the small pieces, making sure that nothing gets broken and continually charging the batteries of the electronic cigarette. Those using an electronic cigarette like Green Smoke to try to quit smoking are not breaking any of the habits that comprise their addition. The cost associated with purchasing the Green Smoke system, the replacement cartridges and how easy it is to lose or break the small electronic pieces that comprise Green Smoke make the product nothing more than an expensive habit replacing another expensive habit.

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Chantix – Miracle Stop Smoking Drug?

December 5th, 2009 by admin No comments »

There’s certainly no shortage of stop smoking products on the market. What there is a shortage of is products that actually work. Unfortunately, Chantix isn’t one of those. Sure, Chantix is the most popular smoking cessation product on the market, but that certainly doesn’t mean it’s the best. In fact, it’s far from it.

Chantix Side Effects

The biggest problem with Chantix is its lack of safety. The product has been mired in controversy since its release. Common Chantix side effects include nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbance, constipation, intestinal disorders, and other serious but rare conditions. Most importantly, several patients have complained about serious Chantix withdrawals when they tried to wean off the medication. For some patients, getting off of Chantix successfully is worse than trying to stop smoking.

Chantix Drug Interactions

As with all medications, you should always consult with an expert if you’re on any other medications. In most tests, Chantix didn’t cause adverse reactions with other drugs, but each case is unique, and you should always be cautious when mixing medications.

Chantix Lawsuit

Given the number of side effects and the terrible withdrawals, it’s not surprising their have been class action lawsuits against the makers of Chantix. Patients have made claims of abnormal behavior, onset of diabetes, seizures, blackouts, and physical injuries while on Chantix. Even worse, some families claim their loved ones committed suicide while on this stop smoking drug.

Chantix Recall

The link between Chantix and suicide, depression, and other harmful conditions has led to a strong urge for a recall. While there has yet to be an official recall, numerous medical professionals are steering clear of this seemingly dangerous stop smoking product. They believe the risks far outweigh any potential reward of taking Chantix.

The truth is Chantix just isn’t worth the risk. Where there’s smoke there’s fire. Too many links between suicide/depression and Chantix send up serious red flags.

Instead, you’re better off taking an all-natural herbal stop smoking product like Nicodyne. This product requires no prescriptions, and it’s completely safe since it’s all-natural. Learn more about Nicodyne.

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Addiction to Nicotine Gum

December 4th, 2009 by admin No comments »

In a recent report regarding nicotine gum addiction, researchers concluded that 5-9% of nicotine gum users relied on it for longer than the recommended three months. Nearly half that amount of nicotine gum chewers relied upon nicotine gum for six or more months and many others continue to chew the gum for years.

Although chewing nicotine gum is safer than smoking cigarettes, you probably don’t want to go from one addiction, cigarettes, to another, nicotine gum addiction – especially since the cost of the gum is exorbitant. There are other problems that are also associated with the excessive gum chewing – the jaw pain that is produced by the constant chewing, week after week and month after month

How Nicotine Gum Addiction Affects Your Body

Nicotine gum addiction may not be as life threatening as addiction to cigarettes but the gum still contains nicotine, and nicotine is highly addictive. Nicotine provides an almost immediate “jolt” because it causes a discharge of epinephrine from the adrenal cortex. This stimulates the central nervous system, and other endocrine glands, which causes a sudden release of glucose.

The stimulation caused by nicotine is then followed by depression and fatigue, and if you are hooked on nicotine, whether it is through nicotine gum addiction, patches, nasal spray or cigarettes, your body will then begin to crave more nicotine. And so the vicious cycle continues and you are not fully cleansed of your nicotine addiction.

Getting Help for Nicotine Gum Addiction

To finally end the cycle of nicotine addiction for good, choose a nicotine-free smoking cessation product such as a medication for smoking cessation or natural treatments such as herbal remedies for nicotine addiction, which are safer and don’t contain the risk of nicotine addiction.

Another benefit of using herbal treatments is that you don’t have to replace a cheap, life threatening product that contains nicotine, such as cigarettes, with a more expensive product that still contains nicotine and may keep you on your path of nicotine addiction.

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Quit Smoking Benefits

December 3rd, 2009 by admin No comments »

The quit smoking benefits happen almost immediately. The food that you eat will begin to taste better, your sense of smell will return to normal and you will gradually be able to exercise or do normal chores such as taking out the trash without loss of breath and wheezing.

Besides the physical, psychological, and health benefits of quitting smoking, you will also reap the financial benefits. Just multiply the amount you spend on smoking per day by 365. Add to that the higher costs of health and life insurance because you were a smoker.

To better help you to stop smoking cigarettes there are a number of free quit smoking programs to get you healthy and smoke-free. These programs educate you on smoking cessation medications and also products such as stop smoking herbs.

Health Benefits of Quit Smoking

The health benefits of quitting smoking continue for the rest of your life. Here is an example of what you can expect when you quit smoking cigarettes:

  • 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.
  • 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
  • Two weeks to three months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.
  • One to nine months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.
  • One year after quitting: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s
  • Five years after quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
  • 10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
  • 15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s.

Benefits of Quit Smoking

Another quit smoking benefit is that you will become more socially accepted by not having to smoke outside of the place where you work, or out on the porch of a friend’s home. You will also prevent your second hand smoke from harming those around you. Check out our recommended product to start you on the road to freedom from nicotine today.

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Stop Smoking Shot – Does it Really Work?

November 24th, 2009 by admin No comments »

You should do a lot of research before you decide on using a stop smoking shot. A shot to stop smoking typically includes the drugs atropine and scopolamine – both dangerous substances. Both belong to a group of medications known as anticholinergics, which block a chemical that is responsible for certain nervous-system activities.

These substances in the stop smoking shot are usually used with anesthesia during surgery. Scopolamine is a common component in prescribed motion-sickness medication. Doctors use atropine, a well known eye-dilating chemical, during eye examinations.

How the Stop Smoking Shot Works

The stop smoking shots works to eliminate nicotine addiction by blocking the nicotine receptors in the brain. The stop smoking shots can also relieve the physical withdrawal symptoms. There are a few different stop smoking shots on the market and you should discuss them with your doctor before choosing to use one – and remember the stop smoking shot procedure must only be done by a doctor.

Lifeline Stop Smoking Shot

The Lifeline Stop Smoking Clinics carry the stop smoking shot. The cost of treatment at the Lifeline Stop Smoking Clinic is $418, which includes office visit and testing to make sure it is safe for you to receive a stop smoking shot.

Side Effects of the Stop Smoking Shot

Some of the side effects of the stop smoking shot include blurry vision, confusion, dry mouth, dizziness, and difficulty urinating. After you receive your stop smoking shot, you must take pills containing atropine and wear a scopolamine patch for two weeks. High doses of these anticholinergic drugs can cause coma, heart attack, hallucinations, and stroke. Are the stop smoking shot side effects risk worth the reward?

Stop Smoking Shot Alternatives

Alternatives to the stop smoking shot include all-natural stop smoking herbs that utilize a combination of herbs to create a similar effect on the brain as nicotine but they are non-addictive and safe for your body. Stop smoking herbs also ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms from nicotine addiction. Most herbal stop smoking products use Lobelia, which mimics the action of nicotine on the brain but is not habit forming. Additional stop smoking herbs ease the side effects of nicotine withdrawal such as anxiety, irritability, fatigue and stress.

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Treatment for Nicotine Addiction

November 24th, 2009 by admin No comments »

Many nicotine addiction treatments are available to you for over-the-counter purchase or by prescription. Research these products carefully to find the treatment for nicotine addiction that will benefit you the most as you strive to become nicotine free.

Nicotine and Addiction

Nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine gum, the transdermal patch, and nicotine nasal spray use nicotine as a treatment for nicotine addiction. One problem that arises with these products is that you may become dependent on the product because of the nicotine in them. Many people use nicotine replacement therapy for far longer than prescribed and in turn become addicted to the replacement therapy.

Nicotine Addiction Treatment Drugs

Stop smoking drugs are a non-nicotine treatment for your nicotine addiction. Stop smoking drugs are available only by prescription and work by cutting out the pleasure that smoking a cigarette brings and by reducing withdrawal symptoms.

Behavioral Treatments for Nicotine Addiction

Behavioral treatments have also become more widespread in the treatment for nicotine addiction. Basically, behavioral methods are used to discover high-risk relapse situations, create an aversion to smoking, develop self-monitoring of smoking behavior, and establish coping responses. Support from family, friends and a therapy group also enhance the effectiveness of this treatment for nicotine addiction.

Using Herbs to Treat Nicotine Addiction

Using stop smoking herbs is a natural treatment for nicotine addiction. Mixtures of herbs calm your nicotine cravings and help manage your withdrawal symptoms.

One of the herbs that help with your treatment for nicotine addiction is Lobelia. This herb produces effects similar to nicotine on the central nervous system and also acts as a calming influence on your body. The other ingredients combine to ease the effects of withdraw, which include anxiety and nervous tension, digestion and respiratory difficulties, and fatigue.

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Stop Smoking Health Benefits

November 23rd, 2009 by admin No comments »

To some, smoking is considered to be a lifeline because they think that it enhances their lives in some way. They believe that it helps make the more alert or helps relieve stress. Some even think cigarette smoking helps them to keep their bodies thin. But the truth is that the brain is just trying to dupe the rest of the body in order to get its nicotine fix.

Because the brain is addicted to nicotine, it only craves the drug more and more with each puff. This only leads downward spiral that often ends in terminal illness and even death for a number of smokers. With this in mind, a growing number of people are considering the health benefits of kicking the nicotine habit. Learn more about how to stop.

We’ve outlined a few of the stop smoking health benefits below.

Improved Oral Health

A health mouth is another one of the numerous stop smoking health benefits quitters enjoy. Not only can one smile with more confidence, but they can also avoid the embarrassment that comes with having bad breath.

Healthy Lungs

Those who choose to stop smoking quickly notice healthier lungs and improved respiratory health. The sooner one quits, the sooner their lungs can recover from the abuse endured. Improved lung health also enables one to perform more physical activities and aids in keeping off excess weight.

Healthier Hair & Skin

Among the more popular stop smoking health benefits is having better hair and skin. Smoke that comes from one’s cigarette can cause the skin to age faster. One’s hair can not only smell of a foul odor but brunt particles can land on the scalp, causing the hair to be less able to breathe and be healthy.

Without cigarettes, improved health and wellness is well within one’s reach. Even though it may be hard to stop smoking, any difficulty endured sure beats the alternative of terminal illness or premature death. Giving up cigarettes can be a lot easier to manage with the help of herbal stop smoking products and free-programs designed to help people to stop smoking.

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How to Make Quitting Smoking Easy

November 23rd, 2009 by admin No comments »

There’s no doubt that quitting smoking can be one of the most daunting challenges you’ll ever face, but you may be surprised to know that it doesn’t exactly have to be torturous, either. There are plenty of aids that can help you quit smoking with less discomfort, like nicotine replacement products, hypnosis and more.

But one of the most powerful techniques is already in your possession, whether you know it or not! This technique is one that you already use every single day of your life. You use it when you’re sick, when you’re feeling great, and when you’re working through challenges. It can make all the difference between success and failure, no matter what you’re doing at the time.

What is this technique? Self-talk.

Don’t dismiss it – when you really think about it, self-talk is truly powerful.

Have you ever accidentally talked yourself into being sick? Perhaps you woke up with a slight headache, then spent the morning telling everyone that you didn’t feel good and by the end of the day you were not only suffering from a much worse headache but also body aches and other symptoms? On the other hand, perhaps you can remember experiences where you talked yourself into being well too.

Using self-talk to help yourself through the stages of quitting smoking is not only simple, it works! Your thoughts have immense power to shape your perception of everything that happens to you.

What do you think would happen if you quit smoking and then complained mentally about it the whole time? “This sucks. I want to smoke, but I can’t. It’s not fair that other people can smoke but I can’t. I’m so sick of these cravings already, how am I going to make it through a few more weeks like this? I can’t do this. Maybe I should wait until I’m less stressed…” On and on it goes – and before you know it, you’ve talked yourself into smoking again!

On the other hand, you can use this same type of self-talk to HELP yourself through your quit.

Here’s how to do it:

When you wake up on your first day as a non-smoker, you’re likely to experience some feelings of anxiety. You might have thoughts like, “Oh, that’s right, I’ve quit smoking. Man, I really want to smoke. Maybe I should quit tomorrow instead…” As soon as you become aware that you are thinking thoughts like this, immediately turn it around. Say with confidence, “Today is going to be a GREAT day! I have officially quit smoking and I feel better already. (take a deep breath) It’s so good to be able to breathe again, and it’s going to get even better as I go along!”

Throughout the day, periodically say things like this to yourself: “I’m doing really GOOD at this! Not smoking is actually easier than I thought it was going to be. I’ve had a few cravings, but nothing that I can’t handle. I can handle anything if I really set my mind to it. I’m so proud of myself.”

When you do experience cravings, simply talk yourself through them. “Okay, I’m having a craving. It’s just a feeling and it will pass. Having a craving doesn’t mean I have to do anything about it. If I just ignore it, it will go away on its own. I’m okay. This is manageable, I can handle it.”

These are just examples of some positive self-talk that you can use, but feel free to improvise. You could also be a little more aggressive, like this: “I refuse to give in to your call, nicotine! You will not beat me. I’m stronger than you are, and I’m proving it every time I refuse to smoke.”

The important thing is to avoid using negative self-talk because it will simply push you back toward the desire to smoke again. If you catch yourself thinking or speaking negatively, turn it right around and affirm how great you feel, how strong you are, and so on. In no time at all, you’ll really start to believe it.

As the old saying goes, “You are what you think.”

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