HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-03-29, Page 38Page 4
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YOURSELF
Q
it smoking
The story of George.
George is a pleasant
man who works for a
newspaper. He has a
wife, a family, a happy
home...and a habit. He
smokes.
At home, in the car,
with his family, at in-
terviews for his paper -
wherever he is, the
cigarette is always
present. It's become a
part of him, like a hand or
a foot, an unconscious
extension.
CIGARETTE NO. 1
The first thing George
does when his alarm
clock pulls him out of bed
in the morning is to light
up.
The sign of a confirmed
smoker. An early Start
ensures a full day of
smoking. Perhaps
George does not know
that the chances of
serious disease increase
directly with the amount
smoked. The earlier one
starts the more
cigarettes smoked per
day, the more years one
continues to smoke and
the deeper one inhales all
amplify the risk of
illness. For example, the
odds of developing lung
cancer are 10 to 30 times
greater for average
smokers than non-
smokers. The risks of
developing cancer of the
larynx, pharynx, oral
cavity, esophagus,
pancreas and bladder are
also significantly higher
in cigarette smokers than
nonsmokers.
CIGARETTE NO. 2
At the breakfast table,
George has one part
cereal, one part coffee
and three parts smoke.
He's. probably ensuring
an early smoking start
for his son. The young boy
imitates his father's
every move. Studies show
that children are more
likely to smoke if their
parents or older brothers
and sisters smoke. The
unborn child is also in-
fluenced by smoking.
Nicotine and carbon
monoxide from
cigarettes can retard the
fetus' growth so the the
infant is born below
normal weight. Small
babies frequently have
difficulty getting a good
start in life. Their
physical and emotional
development during
childhood may be af-
fected. In addition, a
woman who smokes
during pregnancy is more
likely to have a stillborn
infant, or a baby who dies
soon after birth.
CIGARETTE NO.7
As soon as George
walks into work the phone
rings and out comes
another cigarette.
He doesn't think about
it. Maybe if he did think
he might realize that he
doesn't need that
cigarette. A large pack a
day for 20 years means
that George has taken
out, put in his mouth, and
lit over 182,000 cigarettes.
There is probably nothing
he does that frequently,
from tying his shoes to
using the phone. No
wonder it's a hard habit
to break. But it can be
done. Stop. Think about
it.
If you're hooked, you pay up
The reasons you .think smoking is the thing to
do are all in your mind. So far your nervous
system doesn't demand nicotine. Like it does
with 'diehard' smokers.
,You probably just think smoking is the thing to
do. You've seen the ads— the rugged cowboy
with the tattoo on his hand, riding into the sunset
on his horse as he Lights up a cigarette. Or the
'swingers' having a great time at the party:
Just remember this the next time you see one
of these ads— they're all paid for by an industry
that has carefully figured out 'that once you're
hooked, you'llspend about $15,000 during your
lifetime on their product.
It's very big business. In fact if we had that
kind of money, we could do a pretty good job,
too— convincing you not to smoke:
Probably you've heard people who smoke say
that it relaxes them. Actually, they're right, it
does.
But what they probably don't realize is that the
need to relax is brought on by their smoking. The
`diehard' smoker's nervous system expects the
regular jolts that nicotine supplies to his system.
Deny the nervous system nicotine and it fights
back •by making the smoker irritable, nervous
and tense. So the Vicious cycle starts again with
the next cigarette.
Maybe subconsciously you think smoking
somehow equates with being `grown-up'. That
may be the reason when you're very young, but
as a young adult you should know that's `kid's
stuff'.
WHY NOT SMOKE
How you treat or mistreat your body now will
mean the difference between good health or poor
health later in life. A famous scientist' estimates
that a single cigarette ^shortens your life by 14
minutes! So by the time you're 55 years old your
system has deteriorated to the point that it is in
no better condition than a non-smoker at age 75.
In the past few years, one generation in fact,
lung cancer has changed from an almost rare
disease into one which today kills more than
6,500 people in Canada every year. This
frightening increase coincides with the increase
in the. popularity of cigarette smoking.
Besides this, doctors have found that the lungs
ofsmokers when compared to non-smoker's
lungs show marked deterioration. The tiny hairs
called cilia inside the lungs which act as brushes
to remove bits of matter that can irritate the
lungs are either badly damaged or destroyed in
the lungs of smokers.
This leaves the lungs at the mercy of dust,
germs, smog and other harmful irritants. It is
also suspected that the changes that take place
in a smoker's lungs prepare the way for cancer.
WHY AREN't CIGARETTES ILLEGAL?
Years ago the government tried to make
alcohol illegal. The result was that people drank
anyway; corruption and disregard for the law
became common. The experiment proved that
complete prohibition is an ineffective means of
controlling a:popular drug. We think you should
be allowed to make up your mind; but we•would
like your decision to be based on a thorough
knowledge of the -effects of cigarette smoking.
You don't, think the cigarette companies are
going to tell you both sides of the story, do you?
You probably know that cigarettes harm your
body and leave you smelling like the morning
after the night before. And .that they'll keep you,
from reaching your full potential as an athlete:
But before you consider the next cigarette, find
out more about what is in tobacco smoke and
why it is considered so harmful: We're realistic
enough to know that some people will continue to
smoke, because they simply can't quit.
But if you don't smoke now, don't start. And if
you do, stop if you can. You'll be thankful
'someday that you did. Perhaps as soon as today.
CIGARETTE NO. 4
George leaves his wife
and son and a breakfast'.
room filled with smoke as
he heads for work in his
car. As he ab-
sentmindedly lights up a
cigarette and badly burns
his leg with an ash, he
narrowly misses
disaster. What smokers
do to themselves is bad
enough, but later George„
accidentally burns the
woman he is interviewing
and earns a violent
reaction,
She has a right to be
angry. Many healthy
nonsmokers have simply
decided that they are
tired of being irritated by
cigarette sinoke and are
becoming more deter-
mined to live in a smoke
free environment. And
for a good reason. Many
recent studies have in-
dicated that the health of
even nonsmokers is
threatened in a room,
office or automobile
where others continually
smoke. In such en-
vironments levels of
carbon monoxide and
several other pollutants
may be as high or higher
than allowed by law to
occur on a busy down-
town street corner.
CIGARETTE NO. 12
Heartbreak for
George; the cigarette
vending machine doesn't
work.
Perhaps the machine is
already full to the brim
with money. No matter
what the price, smokers
continue to pay and pay
and pay. A one pack-a-
day habit at present rates
is around $300 a year.
That's $15,000 for a
lifetime of dependence.
And because families
that contain smokers
have a higher prevalence
of respiratory disease,
there are higher costs
from medical expenses.
and days lost from work.
or school.
CIGARETTE NO. 15
Out of cigarettes again.
George's exercise for
today is walking to the
nearest store to buy
another pack. He prefers
to quietly smoke beside
an outdoor track and let
his friend do the jogging.
Staying healthy
requires effort whether
one smokes or not.
However, clinical studies
in healthy young men
have shown that cigarette
Turn to page 5 •
Women ywho smoke . • •
• from page 3
when, which is the most
and least important.
5. Each night,.repeat at
least, ten times one of
your reasons for not
smoking.
6. Eliminate one
cigarette from your
routine the most or least
desired.
7. Quit on the day you
selected. Keep busy: go
to the movies, exercise,
take long walks. Use
substitutes, sip water,
chew gum, eat raisins or
carrots, chew a clove.
If you think you need
help, ask your local Unit
of the Canadian Cancer
Society.
Don't be discouraged if
you don't make it the first
time. Try again. Some ex-
smokers say they tried
and failed many, times
before succeeding. The.
important thing is they
did - try, and they did
finally succeed.
You can, too.
This informative publication is brought to you with the kind co-operation of the following
HOFFMEYER
PLUMBING & HEATING
INGLIS APPLIANCES
55 KINGSTON ST.
GODERICH
524.7861
VAL'S BEAUTY
SALON
87 KINGSTON ST. 524-2943
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