Smoking Bans

If you're a smoker then you know about the discrimination smokers face. Now that some states have passed a no smoking ban in restaurants and bars it's becoming even more difficult to light up. And now some companies have designated smoking areas and in some places have banned smoking on their property entirely.

Did you know that these same companies who provide you insurance can force you to quit in order to keep insurance? That's right and employers are now asking potential employees if they smoke since insurance rates are higher as a group to insure smokers. But wait it gets better...you see smokers are viewed as lesser people when it comes to promotion. In fact, smokers are seen as inferior in many work environments.

Don't let yourself fall into any of these categories because you smoke. Look at it as another reason to quit smoking. Look for forums or discussion boards that provide the best method to quit smoking. And remember nothing works better than having a positive attitude. Keep up the good work and come back for more helpful tips to quit smoking.

Think About This Before Smoking

Did you know that you can enhance the quality and length of your life when you quit smoking? Of course this is definitely not easy to do; but with time and patience you can accomplish it. Not only does smoking affect your health but the health of those around you. You see people who smoke are more likely to die from diseases related to smoking than non smokers. Think about it for a moment, there's lung cancer, throat and esophagus cancers, stomach, cervix and some leukemias just to name a few. And now the Surgeon General has warned that smokers are three times as likely to die from heart related diseases than non smokers.

There are many options and methods to quit smoking successfully. One of the first steps is knowing where to go for help. Do a search for quit smoking forums and seek advise from struggling and ex-smokers. Find a program that works, rather it be pills, patches, gum or cold turkey. Quitting cold turkey can be difficult; however, with the right mind set you can quit. Keep a positive attitude, it will be your best asset to arrest your cigarette habits.

Turning Points

So were coming into a new year and ready to make some resolutions. Usually people make resolutions to improve their health and deciding to quit smoking is one of those choices. The hard part is that after a few weeks we give in to the temptation and say "oh well, maybe next year".

We all need turning points in our lives to make us really go the extra mile. In July of 2008 my younger brother Jerome was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. His outcome was rather bleak and didn't seem any better when he started treatment. At the time I had been a smoker for about 10 years but it wasn't until I made a visit at Thanksgiving that I knew I had to do something. You see Jerome taught me the value of life and how precious every moment is. Thanks to him I have been smoke free for over a year now.

As for Jerome, so far he has won his battle and is in remission. Coming from a large family we also learned that saying I love you has meaning and not empty words. We speak often and try to see each other when we can, but until then I remain smoke free and hope I can inspire others to do the same.

Good Luck and Stay Positive!