It would be an understatement to say that Hollywood gives contorted images and perceptions of reality. Whether it’s the trite and proverbial dialogue, or the last-minute change-of-heart the protagonist endures at the end of the movie, audiences are not experiencing a solid sense of truth while watching. One of the trademarks of classic movies, of course, is smoking that delectable cigarette before a romantic or intense scene. This seemingly attractive habit or social convention has managed to debilitate the health of millions across America and, according to the American Lung Association’s website (slati.lungusa.org) smoking is the top preventable cause for premature mortality internationally. Now that is something Hollywood left out. Mary Jane Rogan, West Chester University’s Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Program coordinator, said that there are several short as well as long-term ramifications of habitual smoking. Ineffective breathing and skin wrinkles (for both men and women) are gradual consequences of smoking.
The Suburban Lung Associates located in Winsfield, Illinois found that smoking habitually “more than triples the average person’s chance of premature facial wrinkling.” Rogan said that smoking can develop a permanent aroma within one’s clothes as well. This smell, however, according to Suburban Lung Associates, is not as palpable to smokers due to the fact that smoking debilitates the gustatory and olfactory senses.
More grave effects include those that can be fatal. According to the Suburban Lung Associates, carcinogens, or cancer-probing particles, ultimately lead to various kinds of cancers such as throat, mouth, kidney, pancreas and other diseases like emphysema, asthma and chronic coughing. For women, the danger is much more intense in that women are susceptible to cervical cancer, according to Rogan, in addition to a greater chance of having lung cancer than men. Suburban Lung Associates states that for women cardiovascular diseases are prominent and the use of oral contraceptives can heighten this susceptibility.
According to Rogan, most students say that they want to quit smoking before college graduation, and nevertheless, 60 percent of those students will still be smokers. In addition, she said that there are typical reasons for smoking which include those of social concerns (what friends are doing) and simply that it is addictive. According to Suburban Lung Associates, the nicotine found in cigarettes is “more potent than heroin.”
In the National Cancer Institute’s, a sub-organization of National Institutes of Health, piece entitled “Why do you smoke?” revealed that most people smoke because it gives them energy. Also most people smoke cigarettes as they would drink coffee. Furthermore, the nicotine in cigarettes is analogous to the caffeine in coffee; it is a stimulant. Nevertheless, “Why do you smoke” suggests other alternatives to elicit energy such as adequate amount of sleep, wholesome diet and proper intake of water. Rogan also suggested alternatives for wanting to smoke but having the intentions of quitting.
“Think of the top three reasons for smoking; then you need to figure out what you want to do instead,” Rogan said.
Quitting smoking is indeed a possibility for smokers. According to Rogan, proper breathing mechanics in addition economic reasons are incentives to stop. Certainly, the recent no-smoking ban that has just been implemented in Philadelphia will either leave smokers with decision to go another dining area, or put out the cigarette for good.
According to an article written by Mark McDonald within the Philadelphia Daily News “No ifs, butts: smoking ban starts ‘immediately,'” Mayor John Street has already set forth this bill and has opened the Health Department phone lines for reports on those who breach this law. This reveals that even in places where smoking was once tolerated is now becoming obsolete as a result of another danger posed by smoking: exposure to second-hand smoke. According to Suburban Lung Associates, environmental tobacco smoke (ETC) can also present health hazards such as “cancer, heart attacks, and strokes.”
The new ban will therefore offset a program for the particular businesses affected on what exactly is expected of them. “I think it’s [the ban] is great,” Rogan said.
According to Susan Galanes, a Nurse Practitioner for Suburban Lung Associates, certain parts of Illinois have also ban smoking in public places as well. “The American Lung Association has been helpful in this regard to prevent second hand smoke exposure,” Galanes said.
According to Rogan, there are several methods of quitting. The Tobacco Intervention Program, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, provides counseling, individualized quit programs, cessation patches, in addition to hypnotherapy sessions. The next hypnosis session is Dec. 5.