There are a lot of reasons why people start smoking. And lots of them continue to puff those cigarettes and refuse to quit because they cling into certain myths about smoking. Below are the top 10 myths about smoking and the truth behind them.
Myth No. 1 – Healthy diet and regular exercise can make up for smoking.
Lots of smokers believe that they can make up for their smoking by eating nutritious food and doing regular exercise.
Research shows that eating healthy foods and regular exercise does not undo the deadly effects of smoking in your body. It affects your internal organs and you can do nothing to make up for it.
Myth No. 2 – There is no point in quitting, damage has been done.
Some smokers believe that there is no difference if they quit smoking.
Experts contradict this belief. Studies would show that your health improves the moment you quit smoking and cut the risks by almost 50 percent even at the advance age.
Myth No. 3 – “Light” cigarettes lessen the risks.
Smokers say that “mild” or “light” cigarettes have lesser effect on their health.
This is not completely true. Unknowingly smokers switching to “light” cigarettes get the same level of deadly nicotine by either puffing more deeply or smoking more sticks of cigarettes.
Myth No. 4 – Gaining weight after quitting is as harmful as smoking.
Smokers believe that the weight they’ll gain is as unhealthy as smoking.
While it’s true that gaining weight may cause some health issues but it is not as harmful as the risks associated with continuous smoking.
Myth No. 5 – Stopping abruptly is the only way to quit smoking.
Some smokers believe that giving up smoking instantly is the most effective approach and that determination is the only tool to cut the symptoms of smoking.
They might be partly right. Your commitment is an essential tool. But higher chances of success can be attained if you avail of smoking cessation treatments.
Myth No. 6 – It’s stressful to quit smoking.
Lots of smokers say that it is unhealthy for them to quit smoking because it will stress them out.
It’s true that withdrawal from smoking is very stressful, but there is no evidence to support that stress from the adjustment period has long term effects. Well in fact, smokers who quit starts to feel better and eat normal.
Myth No. 7 – Nicotine substitutes or products are harmful as smoking.
Smokers believe that products like nicotine patches, and gums give the same harmful effects as smoking.
The truth is, nicotine is safe for intended use. Nicotine patches and gums only deliver nicotine to your body. Unlike smoking, you inhale nicotine with more than 4000 other harmful compounds.
Myth No. 8 – It is good enough to lessen smoking.
Long-time smokers would find it sufficient enough to cut back their cigarette consumption to lessen the risks of smoking.
This is not true. Simply cutting the number of cigarettes you puff everyday is not good enough to reduce the risks. Unintentionally smokers tend to puff more deeply and get the same dose of nicotine.
Myth No. 9 – Non-smokers are not affected.
Some smokers would even justify this by saying that they’re not hurting anyone when they smoke.
Statistics would even disprove this claim. In US, around 50, 000 of death every year is associated with secondhand smoke.
Myth No. 10 – There is no sense in quitting if you fail to quit the first time.
Some smokers who tried smoking find it irrelevant to try quitting again.
Majority of habitual smokers tried several times before they become successful in withdrawing from their habit. Failure doesn’t mean that you have no hope. Try to learn everything you need to know and try again until you quit for good.
