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It is very normal for some people to quit smoking and then experience weight gain at a later time. This is quite common but is definitely avoidable. Weight gain post quitting smoking can be attributed to several reasons like metabolism changes, increased urge to eat etc.

Nicotine works as appetite suppressants for smokers and ex smokers experience symptoms like energy loss, headache if they have to wait long before taking meals. Cigarettes containing nicotine do suppress hunger and keep weight under control but at the cost of causing cancer, heart problems, and a hell lot of life taking health issues. Also, after smoking cessation, a person keeps on eating now and then whether he or she is hungry or not.

Among many alternatives to keep control on weight, one is to improve diet habits. It is about regulating your appetite and eating foods which burn more calories like carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, potatoes etc). Reduce the intake of sweets and go for sugar free solutions.
Another strategy to keep off the weight gain after you quit smoking is to start with a regular exercise program which will not only help to improve your appetite but will also reduce stress level which is often faced by many ex smokers.

Last but not the least, keep never say die spirit. Don’t let weight worries overtake the joy of quitting smoking. Quitting smoking not just help you have a better sense of well being but actually give you a key to control your life.

Second hand smoking is also known as passive smoking. It’s the kind of smoking, wherein you don’t smoke but breathe in other peoples smoke. This could be cigarette smoke or even environmental tobacco smoke. If you think that second hand smoking is not detrimental to your health, you are dead wrong. And ‘dead’ is the right word here, as second hand smoking poses serious health risks to your body also.

Second hand smoking can harm you

Causes cancer
Second hand smoke is a cancer causing agent. It’s estimated that there are over 4000 compounds that are a part of tobacco smoke and around 60 of them are carcinogens. Cancer, as a result of smoking or passive smoking, is one of the leading causes of death across the world.

Smoking harms the newborn
Mothers are asked not to smoke as the foetus or the new born infant is affected by her smoking. This is the kind of passive smoking that leads to birth defects in the baby. The infant passively takes in the cigarette smoke from the mother, leading to serous health risks.

Other health problems
You are not just at risk for cancer because of second hand smoke. Your body becomes susceptible to heart disease, lung infections like pneumonia and bronchitis. There are increased cases of children who suffer from asthma as a result of passive smoking.

Avoiding second hand smoke
Because of its harmful effects it becomes very important that you avoid passive smoking. But, is it really possible for you to avoid passive smoking? Let’s just say that it’s difficult. The best thing you can do is to avoid smokers and not frequent places that are frequented by smokers. And whenever possible make a non-smoker out of a smoker.

Second hand smoke has first rate harmful effects. You will do well to stay away from it as far as possible.

The smoking statistics in the UK for 2009 as revealed by the NHS for the Health and Social Care Information Centre is quite encouraging. The report shows hopeful trends in the behaviour and attitudes of people towards smoking following the smoking ban in public places. According to the 2008/09 statistics, amongst the 16 year olds and over in Great Britain, 67% of the current smokers want to give up smoking, while 75% have even tried to give up smoking at some point in the past. Around 69% of adults report that they do not allow smoking at all in their home. This figure shows an increase of 61% as reported in 2006. The majority of people, 81% agree with the smoking ban in public places. However, there was a drop in the number of smokers who want to quit smoking in 2008/2009 to 67% from 74% in 2007. These trends show growing awareness amongst people about the harmful effects of smoking. It indicates that people are more than willing to quit smoking. A little encouragement and support can help them to become ex-smokers.

One of the biggest challenges that people face while trying to stop smoking is their addiction to nicotine. Just after a few hours of quitting, you may experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms that will weaken your determination to quit and you’ll be tempted to go back to smoking again. Nicotine withdrawal symptoms are one of the key reasons why many people fail to quit via the cold turkey method.

How to break the nicotine habit?
These days, a lot of quit smoking aids are available that can help you break nicotine addiction and stop smoking forever. For instance, you may make use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) based lozenges, chewing gum, inhalators or patches to break your nicotine addiction. This therapy aims at providing nicotine to your body externally so that the craving for nicotine is taken care of and you can work on breaking the psychological habit of smoking. Besides, you can take help from quit smoking medications such as Champix (varenicline). Developed by Pfizer pharmaceuticals, Champix is by far the most popular quit smoking aid. It not only helps you break your nicotine addiction, but it also makes cigarette smoking less pleasurable for you so that you are not tempted to smoke again. Studies show that Champix quadruples your odds of quitting as compared to quitting via the cold turkey method.

“I have been trying to quit, but to no avail.”

Even the strongest of men feel would feel helpless when it comes to managing nicotine cravings and to cope without his/her daily dose of nicotine. For those who smoke, it has affected almost every aspect of your life. It not just leads to cardiovascular diseases and cancer but with increase in age, it also leads to loss of physical activity and decrease in self sufficiency.

Smoking dangers are known to everyone today but cigarettes still remain popular equally among men as well as women. Are you one of those who want to quit smoking but find it really hard to give up smoking habit? If however, you want to and are determined to quit smoking, don’t worry! Help is at hand.

Champix Varenicline is a proven treatment for smoking cessation but it won’t take you too far if you don’t have strong will power and determination to quit smoking! To start treatment with Champix tomorrow, you have to make a firm decision today.

While on treatment with Champix Varenicline, try to avoid being with habitual smokers, exercise regularly, eat healthy and ask for the support from your family and friends.

Apart from Champix Varenicline, there are some other methods as well that are used by smokers who wish to stop smoking which includes nicotine patches, nicotine gums, nicotine nasal sprays, inhalers. Champix excels over these methods; it is latest technology which gifts a smoke free life to you and your family!