Whenever a person smokes, only 15% of the harmful chemicals are inhaled by that person. 85% of it goes to the air, affecting other people. According to studies, a person who spends two hours in a room where someone is smoking inhales smoke which is equivalent to 4 sticks of cigarettes! That’s about one cigarette [...]

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Socrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira (1954 – 2011) Just learned of a great childhood hero who died relatively young at age 57. Socrates a charismatic and talented brazilian futbol player was also known to be an unwavering cigarette user. I am a little late in learning the news of his passing but [...]

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What Steve Jobs is saying here? He wants you to know that all it takes sometimes is the willingness to ask for help. But a lot of us don’t want to risk even that much. What is the worst that could happen? That the help you asked is refused and you continue to smoke. So [...]

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How Smoking Affects Life of the Unborn

by Dr. Antonio Howell, MD

There are plenty of evidences that smoking can be bad for your health. Majority of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke are toxic. Each year, there are over 3,000 people who die from passive smoking alone. On a larger scale, millions of people all over the world die because of cigarette smoking. If you are [...]

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Embarrasment is not enough of a word to describe what I feel about this ad. But don’t let our mistake be yours too. Well all make mistakes and have to live with the consequences of them. But you do not need to shoulder our mistake anymore. I am here to un-officially let you know that [...]

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19 Reasons Why Varenicline is More Effective Than Bupropion for Smoking Cessation

Smoking kills more people than HIV (AIDS) infection, drug abuse, car accidents, and crimes. It is said that cigarette smoking causes one out of six deaths by making people susceptible to many illnesses. This is why pharmaceuticals spend a lot on research and development for medicines that can help people stop smoking and stop their [...]

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How Not To Quit Smoking?

Please read all the way down to see what I think of this article. Stop Smoking – Choose an Alternative Method Stop Smoking – Choose an Alternative Method By Dr. Mark Clayson Are you ready to stop cigarette smoking? Terrific. There can be tons of different ways to stop smoking cigarettes. One of them is [...]

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Maternal Smoking Can Cause Behavioral Problems in Children

Smoking during pregnancy can affect the life of the unborn in many different ways. The complications may range from physical to mental or behavioral problems. The long term effects of smoking to the baby’s health may not be diagnosed until after a certain period of time. Sometimes, the symptoms occur during childhood and in early [...]

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Smoking during Pregnancy: Some Facts You Should Know

Despite the alarming side effects of smoking, millions of people can’t live a day without it. Tobacco is sold everywhere and you need no prescription for it. Same with alcohol, tobacco is perhaps the most abused drugs in the world. Even though numerous health groups, public and private organizations in the country are very active [...]

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Chantix drug interaction with Coumadin or Warfarin?

Drug interaction studies were performed with varenicline and digoxin, warfarin, transdermal nicotine, bupropion, cimetidine and metformin. No clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic drugdrug interactions have been identified. More Quit Smoking Post:Cardiovascular Disorders Reported with Chantix?Chantix Or Varenicline Is Unsuitable For First-Line Use In Smoking Cessation?Nervous System Disorders Reported on ChantixInformation YOU Should Know To Get The Best [...]

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Cardiovascular Disorders Reported with Chantix?

CARDIAC DISORDERS. Infrequent: Angina pectoris, (chest pain) Arrhythmia, (irregular heartbeats) Bradycardia, (slow heart beats) Ventricular extrasystoles, (extra heartbeats) Myocardial infarction, (heart attacks) Palpitations, (sensation of your heartbeating ) Tachycardia. (rapid heartbeat). Rare: Atrial fibrillation, Cardiac flutter, Coronary artery disease, Cor pulmonale, Acute coronary syndrome. More Quit Smoking Post:Are There Any Cardiac Side Effects of Chantix?Chantix [...]

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What is N.O.P.E?

Not One Puff Ever = N.O.P.E. I was tempted to just leave that definition so that the full importance of it could sink in to you the reader. But, I couldn’t help it I had to say some more. Imagine you spent a week and finally overcame all the early obstacles of quitting smoking. A [...]

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Smokers everything will end on 12-21-2012

Open letter to smokers, If you knew that everything was going to end in less than one year. Would you even waste 5 minutes smoking? This is a real question. If you are a smoker I am really wanting to know your response. If you know you only had a year to live would you [...]

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Zyban, Chantix, the Patch and a Stick

Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world. -Archimedes A stick on the ground is just a piece of wood. But if you pick it up it instantly becomes something else: A tool. A tool is something you use to make things happen. [...]

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77 Keys To Conquering Stress Without Smoking

What pushes your buttons and makes you want to scream at the top of your lungs? Close your eyes and bring to memory all the things that piss you off. Go on..take your time. I will wait…Okay, you are back. The list you just identified are your life stressors. The most important part in dealing [...]

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Smoking After Tonsillectomy – Smoking And The Rate Of Post-Tonsillectomy Hemorrhage

How soon after tonsillectomy, is it safe to smoke? Never actually. Did you really expect a different answer from me? Would you be surprised to know that a group of doctors (with too much time on their hands) at Madigan Army Medical Center looked back into the charts of 1,036 patients who had undergone a [...]

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Allen Carr’s The Easy Way To Stop Smoking

The smiling man on the right is Allen Carr. My personal hero. Why? Because he did in 1983 what the medical establishment and society in general could not do. He helped people to quit smoking. And when I say, he helped people he did it at least ten times better than anybody else around did. [...]

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10 Reasons Why Pregnant Women Should Quit Smoking

In the US alone, there are more than 800,000 women who smoke during pregnancy. Across the globe, one in every ten pregnant women smokes. According to studies, the old advocacy of ‘Quit for Baby’ has been a very simple approach to encourage pregnant women to quit from this addictive substance. Experts agree that women should [...]

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Top 12 Nicoderm CQ Patch Side Effects Include?

Dizziness or Lightheadedness. Blurred Vision. Abnormal Dreams or Vivid Dreams. Headaches. Redness, Itching, Swelling or Burning at the Application Site. Nervousness. Sweating. Trouble Sleeping. Fast Or Irregular Heartbeat. Nausea. Stomach Pain Or Vomiting. Severe Allergic Reactions (Rash; Hives; Itching; Difficulty Breathing; Tightness In The Chest; Swelling Of The Mouth, Face, Lips, Or Tongue) – If [...]

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Chantix Or Varenicline Is Unsuitable For First-Line Use In Smoking Cessation?

That is so 2007…I used to think that way back then. But not anymore. As a matter of fact it seems that Chantix is as safe as any other prescription smoking cessation treatment. Back in 2006 and 2007 there were some well publicized death attributed to Chantix. (Rightly or wrongly so I cannot tell). But [...]

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Imagine A Life Without Cigarettes

Are you listening to the conversation inside your head? * “I’m tired of the smell on my fingers, on my breath, and on my clothes.” * “I’m coughing a lot. I don’t want to get bronchitis.Or worse…” * “My (significant other) is unhappy with my smoking—not just for me, but because of the risk of [...]

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Smokers as Outcast

Outcast: Noun -A person who has been rejected by society or a social group. The weather is starting to get cold here in Texas. In addition, I am starting to see smokers huddling-up on the side of the building with big coats and jiggling up and down to keep warm as the sneak a smoke [...]

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Quit Smoking Because Every Day You Are Alive Is A Gift

One day in my office was talking to a patient (whom I will refer to as BOB) about smoking. BOB was ready for me because he gave the calmest and collected defense to smoking that I had ever heard. His argument was that he chose to smoke because it added value to his life. Smoking [...]

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This Video Helped 1000s To Quit Smoking For Good (55 seconds)

Life is such a wonderful thing to have. Do not throw it away to cancer This video is less than a minute long but very powerful. Herein is the motivation to write THIS blog, and to answer the plea for help. The emotional key that imprisons is also what sets us free. Have a listen [...]

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Want To Quit Smoking? Congratulations! You Are Almost There.

The other day I asked a patient of mine who quit smoking, “What would you tell yourself if you could communicate with your younger self to help you quit smoking?” He laughed at me and said “Doc back then I was not listening to anybody”. I laughed too, mostly because I heard that same answer [...]

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Smoking While Pregnant

Congratulations on your pregnancy. It is a very special gift being a mother. And as you carry your baby you might be thinking how important it is to take care of yourself. And if you smoke quitting is the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. There are hundreds of quit smoking [...]

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Dr. Howell You Are Just Another Quit Smoking Guru – Why Should I Believe You?

You have probably stopped smoking on your own a few times. You may have stopped once for almost a year, another time for six months, another time for three months, and perhaps you stopped once for less than a week. Every time it took a little bit out of you and you do not know [...]

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Embracing Pleasure to Be a Non-Smoker

20 Ways to Reward Yourself for Quitting Smoking: 1. Have a power nap 2. Take a day off 3. Read a novel 4. Have a bubble bath 5. Telephone someone you haven’t talked to for a while 6. Enjoy your hobby 7. Spend time in the garden 8. Enjoy a favorite food 9. Go to [...]

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Nervous System Disorders Reported on Chantix

Frequent: Disturbance in attention, Dizziness, Sensory disturbance. Infrequent: Amnesia, Migraine, Parosmia, Psychomotor hyperactivity, Restless legs syndrome, Syncope, Tremor. Rare: Balance disorder, Cerebrovascular accident, Convulsion, Dysarthria, Facial palsy, Mental impairment, Multiple sclerosis, Nystagmus, Psychomotor skills impaired, Transient ischemic attack, Visual field defect. *How Does Chantix Work? Common Side Effects?* [http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2006/021928lbl.pdf] – Posted By Antonio Howell, M.D. [...]

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Nicotine – New Solution or Same Old Problem?

22nd Century (website) a New York based company is betting millions that you will love their new very low nicotine (VLN) cigarette. The idea is that by switching to this VLN brand of cigarettes you will find it easier to quit smoking. It is being marketed as prescription cigarette. I can’t say I am fond [...]

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You Can Stop Smoking

by: Catherine Olivia The facts are clear. There is nothing worse you could do to adversely affect your health. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Women are three times more likely to develop lung cancer then men. Cancer has now replaced heart disease as the number one killer of Americans aged 85 and [...]

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Are Electronic Cigarettes The Answer?

What about cigarette substitutes such as the electronic cigarettes? The argument is that they are not as harmful as cigarettes, therefore safer. And in some states cheaper than smoking. I would agree except for one thing. Nobody needs to smoke. Smoking is not a necessary function like eating, breathing and exercising. If you never took [...]

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Information YOU Should Know To Get The Best Results While Trying To Quit Smoking Using Chantix (Varenicline)

YOU should be instructed to set a date to quit smoking and to initiate CHANTIX treatment one week before the quit date. YOU should be advised that CHANTIX should be taken after eating, and with a full glass of water. YOU should be instructed how to on “how to take” CHANTIX, beginning at a dose [...]

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Chantix Dosing

A picture speaks more than words. Chantix is a prescription medicine to help adults stop smoking. Chantix is supplied for oral administration in two strengths: a 0.5 mg capsular biconvex, white to off-white, film-coated tablet debossed with “Pfizer” on one side and “CHX 0.5″ on the other side and a 1 mg capsular biconvex, light [...]

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The Most Common Side Effects From Taking Chantix Are?

Clearly gastrointestinal(gi) complaints are the most common side effects of varenicline. In a group of 821 participants 68 (8.3%) had GI complaints. The most common side effects of CHANTIX include: * nausea * constipation * vomiting * changes in dreaming * gas More Quit Smoking Post:19 Reasons Why Varenicline is More Effective Than Bupropion for [...]

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Are There Any Cardiac Side Effects of Chantix?

During the development of Chantix a study of cardiac side effects and frequency demonstrated… Infrequent: (nobody know what exactly is meant by infrequent 5%,10%,who knows) Angina pectoris, (chest pain) Arrhythmia, (irregular heart beats) Bradycardia, (slower than normal heart beats) Ventricular extrasystoles, (extra heart beats) Myocardial infarction (MI), (heart attacks) Palpitations, (awareness of your heart beating) [...]

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The STOP Technique of Quitting Smoking! – Safe and Effective.

An important technique that will help you I call the STOP technique. If you smoke in the car STOP. Smoke before you get in the car or after you arrive at your destination but you can no longer smoke and drive at the same time. Some people like to smoke and drink coffee so now [...]

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Are You A Frustrated Smoker?

Are you frustrated? Do you feel like now matter how much you try to quit you are powerless to do it? The good news is that you are not alone.There is help available. But first things first. Who am I? And why should you trust me? Those are fair questions. My name is Antonio Howell [...]

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Posted by Anonymous to Quit Smoking Rx at January 19, 2008 9:12 PM

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post “CAN CHANTIX CAUSE ANGER ISSUES?”: I had to stop taking Chantix after 4 weeks. The pill helped and I was able to successfully stop smoking after taking the pill for 3 days. I have been smoke free for 60 days. The problem I have is anger. [...]

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Posted by Mz Diva to Quit Smoking Rx at April 8, 2008 8:00 PM

Mz Diva has left a new comment on your post “QUIT SMOKING INITIATIVES STILL GOING STRONG?”: Dr. Howell, I was so glad to see you stop by my blog….I really love reading yours and can’t wait to read some of these posts! (I have been kinda busy lately) I remember when I was in London….I [...]

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Question from Mz Diva about Chantix

Mz Diva said… I have a question about this post from a professional as well as personal aspect. I teach health and many of my students want to take diet pills to lose weight. I tell them that unless they change their eating habits and begin an exercise program, the drugs will be a temporary [...]

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Posted by Anonymous to drhowell.net blog at Monday, February 11, 2008 12:44:00 AM

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post “Psychiatric Disorders Reported on Chantix“: Yes, I have had dreams of the end of days. Quite often actually, though not always the same, but most of the time they show of a consuming fire of sorts. I have always had very vivid dreams, and at times [...]

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Posted by Anonymous to drhowell.net blog at Tuesday, February 19, 2008 7:02:00 AM

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post “Psychiatric Disorders Reported on Chantix“: This drug was released in Australia on January 1st 2008. When I got my script, there was no information leaflet in the box and no warnings. (I later found out they had not included them as they were in the process [...]

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Posted by Anonymous to drhowell.net blog at Wednesday, February 20, 2008 8:08:00 PM

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post “Psychiatric Disorders Reported on Chantix“: I have recently started researching Chantix (Champix in the UK) and I am totally alarmed by what I’ve discovered and what I’ve read here today. I hope that everyone experiencing this nightmare finds some peace and a resolution to their problem [...]

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Posted by amy h to drhowell.net blog at Thursday, February 21, 2008 4:14:00 PM

Amy H has left a new comment on your post “Psychiatric Disorders Reported on Chantix“: My husband is 42.He started taking Chantix in January.He was able to quit smoking after the first week and continued taking it for the rest of the month then he decided not to refill the script.After stopping the drug he [...]

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Posted by Jen to drhowell.net blog at Tuesday, February 26, 2008 5:39:00 PM

Jen has left a new comment on your post “Psychiatric Disorders Reported on Chantix“: I have been taking Chantix since the 18th (I am on day 9 now). The first week I was in a extremely bad mood & was smoking slightly less than normal (pack a day). I do feel the nausea every now [...]

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Posted by Anonymous to drhowell.net blog at Monday, March 17, 2008 9:37:00 AM

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post “Psychiatric Disorders Reported on Chantix“: I have been on Chantix for 2 1/2 weeks.Am 50 yrs old and smoked for 35 years and have been cigarette free for over a week now.HOWEVER,after being in full menopause for about 5 years I find I am spotting and [...]

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Babies Sleep Safest On Their Backs.

The safest practice is to place babies on their backs to sleep. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of a baby younger than one year. SIDS is also known as “crib death” because babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs. You may ask what does this have to [...]

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Smoking does NOT treat disease.

Smoking is a disease creating habit. More and more diseases are added everyday. The latest is anxiety disorders. There is the common assumption that for smokers the act of smoking relieves anxiety. When actually the opposite is true, smoking is a risk factor for severe anxiety.[1] Smoking is an independent risk factor for severe anxiety. [...]

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