WHAT’S IN THAT CIGARETTE?

Well folks I have been a very busy bunny and neglected my msn space for long enough.  So I thought I would be boringly helpful again

 

 

The no-smoking ban has been going on in Scotland for a while now, not sure for how long  exactly, as I don’t get out that much these days and of course I no longer smoke.  However, the times I have been out it felt  like heaven.  Being able to sit and have something to eat or a chat with my pals, not having to struggle for a breath and of course, because of the ban in all pubs and restaurants, my choice of venues has grown.  Before I had a couple of places that I could visiit but that was it.  

 

Before I was diagnosed with having copd (emphysema)  I used to smoke, but did try to be considerate, especially in bus shelters.  However, when I look back and really be honest with myself, I was not that considerate in other places or situations.  Anyway I digress.  I had to stop smoking or the copd would progress at a faster rate, who knows, I may not have been able to write this had I continued.  I gave up in 2002.  Luckily for me my doctor’s surgery had a no – smoking clinic for those patients wanting help in giving up.  Some were offered tablets, others chewing gum, but I decided to do it cold turkey.  However I was given several pieces of paper to read and digest and the first one shocked me that much, I decided to use it as my own weapon against lifting another cigarette.

 

I believe that In England the No Smoking ban will be happening in July this year.  I do hope this blog and the ones to follow will help you through any withdrawl symptoms, and I wish you well.

 

 

 

A POT POURRI OF PUFFING POISONS

 

 

ACETONE = Nail varnish remover

ACETIC ACID = Vinegar

AMMONIA = Anti-personnel spray, cleaning agents

ARSENIC = Ant poison in the USA

BENZENE = Petrol fumes

CADMIUM = Batteries, smelting fumes

CARBON MONOXIDE = Exhaust fumes

CARBON TETRACHLORIDE = Dry cleaning fluid

DDT = Insecticide

FORMALDEHYDE = Embalming fluid

HYDROCARBONS = Jeyes Fluid, car care agents

HYDROGEN CYANIDE = Industrial pollutant used as a method of execution in

                                         USA

 

HYDROGEN SULPHIDE = Stink bombs

LEAD = Batteries, petrol fumes

METHANOL = Rocket fuel

METHYL ISOCYANATE = Responsible for Bhoptal disaster

NICOTINE = Insecticide

NITRIC ACID = Power station emissions

POLONIUM -210 = Radioactive fallout

RADON = Radioactive gas

SULPHURIC ACID = Power station emissions

TARS = Road surface tar

TOLUENE = Industrial solvent

 

 

 

What happens after you have stopped smoking?

 

20 minutes = your blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.

 

8 hours = oxygen levels in your blood return to normal.

 

24 hours = carbon monoxide has been eliminated from your body; your lungs

                    start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.

 

48 hours = there is no nicotine left in your body.  Your ability to taste and smell

                    is greatly improved.

 

72 hours = breathing becomes easier.  Your bronchial tubes begin to relax and

                    your energy levels increase.

 

2 – 12 weeks = circulation improves, making walking and running easier.

 

3 – 9 months = coughs, wheezing and breathing problems get better as your

                           lung function improves.

 

5 years = risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.

 

10 years = risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker; risk of a

                    heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.