Cannabis (Marijuana) Vs Smoking Tobacco

October 6, 2015 "Tobacco is a product that does a lot of damage. Marijuana is infinitely worse and it's something that we do not want to encourage." -- Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.

Obviously, at one time, marijuana was widely (and correctly) perceived as detrimental, and acceptance was low. Today, however, polls show that some 60 percent of North Americans think it should be legalised.

Canadians have one of the highest rates of cannabis use in the world.

The gaseous and particulate composition of cannabis and tobacco cigarettes is similar, with the exception of the active components, THC and nicotine.

It’s not because we’ve learned that the health risks were overstated. Advocates have insisted for decades that pot is no more harmful than tobacco and alcohol. Indeed, many go so far as to claim it’s safer. Unfortunately for them, the medical research does not back them up.

An article (September 14, 2015) by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine, documents many negative effects of marijuana use. And the research continues to pile up, showing how it can harm the developing teenage brain, increase the risk of heart attack, and diminish IQ.

“More than smoking tobacco; OR EVEN DRINKING ALCOHOL, smoking marijuana can damage the heart, lungs and brain,” write William J. Bennett and Robert A. White in the new book “Going to Pot.”

“Moreover, cannabis immediately impairs cognitive abilities and motor coordination, interfering with the smoker’s judgment, driving skills, and other basic abilities.” It delivers more tar to the lungs than tobacco does, along with cancer-causing chemicals. While one studies claim Cannabis smokers only complained of wheeze, cough, chest tightness and phlegm and that emphysema, the progressive and crippling lung disease, was only seen in those who smoked tobacco, either alone or in combination; long-term or heavy users develop symptoms of chronic asthma and bronchitis . Asthma, bronchitis emphysema, often the three are grouped together and the disease called Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (COPD) is a lung disease characterised by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible. The more familiar terms 'chronic bronchitis' and 'emphysema' are no longer used, but are now included within the COPD diagnosis. In high doses, paranoia and psychosis result.

The amount of tar and carcinogens inhaled during cannabis smoking is comparable. However, owing to the techniques commonly used during the smoking of cannabis there may be greater deposition of these harmful substances in the airways. In particular, cannabis is usually smoked without a filter and burns much hotter (due to a shorter butt) than tobacco cigarettes. In addition, cannabis fumes are often inhaled to maximum inspiration with longer breath holding to increase THC absorption. This may lead to significant variation in the deposition of tar and carbon monoxide, depending on the mode of administration, depth of inspiration and length of breath holding.

Histological evidence indicates that marijuana exposure can injure the respiratory epithelium and reduce ciliated epithelial cell numbers, a change almost identical to that seen in tobacco smokers. Endobronchial biopsies have also shown evidence of goblet cell metaplasia, reserve cell hyperplasia and squamous cell metaplasia. These and other effects may lead to edema and inflammation of the airways as well as mucus hyper secretion. Years ago, the amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the stuff that gets you high) in marijuana was much lower—around 3 to 5 percent. But today’s “turbo pot” tends to be around 13 percent, and up to 20 or even 30 percent in some cases.

“It is like comparing a twelve-ounce glass of beer with a twelve-ounce glass of 80 proof vodka,” writes Bennett, former drug czar for the United States. “Both contain alcohol, but they have vastly different effects on the body when consumed.”

The main reason for the shift is the advent of “medical marijuana.” That put a halo of safety around the substance, making those who oppose it seem insensitive to the needs of people in chronic pain.

But, Bennett and White point out; it’s not as if doctors are prescribing it in places where it’s legal. In most places, a physician gives a patient who says he’s suffering “severe pain” a note that allows him (and the vast majority are, in fact, males under 35) to obtain a medical marijuana card.

THE EXPERTS

Research has shown that about four per cent of marijuana users report some sort of health, legal or financial trouble, said David Hammond, the CIHR Applied Chair in Public Health at the University of Waterloo. The amount for tobacco is higher: anywhere between 30 and 50 per cent, Hammond said, suggesting that tobacco use carries more health concerns than marijuana use.

Heavy, long-term use of marijuana by teens has been linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia-related mental health disorders in early adulthood, said Steven Laviolette from Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, who researches the effects on the brain of nicotine and THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. However, Laviolette said, those teenagers are using marijuana with a heavy amount of THC.

Research has also shown these teens may have a genetic predisposition to developing mental health disorders, he said, blurring links between smoking marijuana and mental health issues. As well, a chemical in marijuana, known as CBD, has been shown to be an anti-psychotic that counteracts THC, Laviolette said, creating a debate with more subtleties than political sound bites allow.

The Canadian Cancer Society says research linking marijuana smoking to increased cancer risks "is not as strong or comprehensive as the evidence that links tobacco use and cancer." Part of the problem is that marijuana smokers also use tobacco and sometimes mix the two substances.

With mental health issues, the science isn't conclusive because marijuana use may exacerbate underlying issues.

THE VERDICT

Marijuana does carry some health concerns -- of that there is little debate. Saying it is "infinitely worse" than tobacco is "a lot of baloney; there's simply no evidence at all to suggest that's true either in terms of health care costs, or in terms of relative health dangers,"

Some Interesting Differences Between Hemp and Marijuana.

Historical Use:

Cannabis has an extremely long history of use. Although CANNABIS IS INDIGENOUS TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA, it spread all over the world very early in human history.

Humans in Taiwan were growing hemp as early as 8,000 BCE, the historical use of cannabis as a physical and psychological medicine began over 5,000 years ago. Researchers even found over two pounds of still green, highly potent cannabis in a basket near the recently discovered 2700 year old Ice Man.  It has been historically used by Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Taoists, Buddhists, and Atheists alike. Cannabis was even used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, as well as in medieval Islamic countries.

To understand the history and legality of cannabis you must also understand the history of hemp. The difference between these plants is that industrial hemp contains little to no THC (meaning it can’t get you high) and is also more fibrous and tough, making it more useful as a productive material. Additionally, HEMP SEEDS ARE HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS, CONTAINING THE MOST EASILY DIGESTIBLE PROTEIN IN THE WORLD, AS WELL AS A NEARLY PERFECT RATIO OF OMEGA 6 TO OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS.

As mentioned above, both plants were used all over the world for various purposes since time immemorial. It is usually claimed, at least by citizens of the United States of North America; that the plants were brought to the new world for the first time (in Chile) by the Spaniards in 1545.

However, Cannabis seeds may have been brought to Brazil in the 16th century by African slaves or even earlier by the first peoples to immigrate into the Americas. Definitely, cannabis, and hemp were used, WIDELY, in England and the Americas even before the United States of North America existed.

Both cannabis and hemp were grown in the original colonies by the boat load and exported to international buyers.  Hemp was used as a cheap yet high quality textile source for clothing and rope. It was also used to make paper products (the first two copies of the Declaration of Independence by the United North American Colonies were written on hemp paper).

Indica and sativa are the two main types of cannabis

OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, HEMP IS GROWN IN MORE THAN 30 COUNTRIES. IN 2011, THE TOP HEMP-PRODUCING COUNTRY WAS CHINA, FOLLOWED BY CHILE AND THE EUROPEAN UNION. HEMP PRODUCTION IS ALSO EXPANDING IN CANADA, WITH THE COUNTRY’S ANNUAL CROP REACHING A RECORD HIGH OF 66,700 ACRES IN 2013. 

Besides appearance, Indica and Sativa plants are commonly believed to have different effects on their user. These effects include:
SATIVA-uplifting and energetic cerebral, spacey or hallucinogenic; best suited for day use.
INDICA-relaxing and calming, body buzz, or ‘couch lock’; best suited for night use.
However, no scientific study has confirmed these differences, and there is some doubt about their accuracy. In fact, history suggests a much simpler difference between Indica and Sativa.

THE ORIGINAL CLASSIFICATION OF CANNABIS INDICA WAS MADE BY FRENCH BIOLOGIST JEAN-BAPTISTE LAMARCK IN 1785.
LAMARCK OBSERVED THAT CERTAIN MARIJUANA PLANTS FROM INDIA WERE INTOXICATING AND COULD BE MADE INTO HASHISH. BUT TRADITIONAL HEMP CROPS, WHICH WERE MORE COMMON IN EUROPE, HAD NO MIND-ALTERING EFFECT.

Hemp and marijuana are two popular names for the cannabis plant; however there are distinct differences between the variety that is nowadays smoked; or otherwise ingested; and the varieties that were in the past, and are, commonly used for, or to make, a variety of foods, oils and textiles, such as rope, durable paper, and wearable fabrics and that are now used in; mainly plant-based plastics, or other MILITARY GRADE products, or fabrics.
Cannabis is believed to be one of the oldest domesticated crops (golden rod weed is a wild form, common along Canadian rural roads). Throughout history, humans have grown different varieties of cannabis for industrial and medical uses. Tall, sturdy plants were BRED WITH OTHER PLANTS WITH THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS.

OTHER PLANTS WERE RECOGNIZED FOR BEING PSYCHOACTIVE, AND WERE BRED SELECTIVELY; FOR MEDICAL, AND RELIGIOUS, PURPOSES. THE PRACTICE, EVENTUALLY, LEAD TO THE MANY UNIQUE VARIETIES OF CANNABIS THAT WE NOW KNOW, COLLECTIVELY, AS MARIJUANA.
According to ONE Canadian company that specialises in cannabis cultivation technology, “the core agricultural differences between medical cannabis and hemp are largely in their genetic parentage and cultivation environment”.
But, scientists, on the other hand, believe the early separation of the cannabis gene pool led to two distinct types of cannabis plants. The two species (or subspecies) of cannabis are known as Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa.
Cannabis plants contain unique compounds called cannabinoids. Current research has revealed over 60 different cannabinoids so far, but THC is the most well-known. THC is credited with causing the marijuana high.
WHILE MARIJUANA PLANTS CONTAIN HIGH LEVELS OF THC, HEMP CONTAINS VERY LITTLE OF THE PSYCHOACTIVE CHEMICAL. This single difference is what most rely on to distinguish hemp from marijuana. For example, COUNTRIES LIKE CANADA HAVE SET THE MAXIMUM THC CONTENT OF HEMP AT 0.3%. ANY CANNABIS WITH HIGHER THC LEVELS IS CONSIDERED MARIJUANA INSTEAD.
In comparison, MEDICAL MARIJUANA produces anywhere BETWEEN 5-20% THC ON AVERAGE, WITH PRIZE STRAINS TIPPING THE SCALE AT 25-30% THC.
HEMP AND MARIJUANA PLANTS CONTAIN ANOTHER IMPORTANT CANNABINOID: CBD. HEMP PLANTS PRODUCE MORE CBD THAN THC, WHILE MARIJUANA PRODUCES MORE THC THAN CBD. INTERESTINGLY, RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT CBD ACTS TO REDUCE THE PSYCHOACTIVE EFFECTS OF THC, SEPARATING HEMP FURTHER FROM MARIJUANA.
Because hemp and marijuana are grown for different uses, and therefore require different growing conditions.
MEDICAL CANNABIS HAS BEEN SELECTIVELY BRED OVER GENERATIONS, and its characteristics are optimized in its cultivation environment 

TO PRODUCE FEMALE FLOWERING PLANTS THAT YIELD BUDDING FLOWERS, AT THE FLOWERING STAGE OF THEIR LIFE CYCLE.

In contrast, HEMP PLANTS ARE PRIMARILY MALE, WITHOUT REPRESENTING FLOWERING BUDS AT ANY STAGE IN THEIR LIFE CYCLE. Instead, CENTURIES OF SELECTIVE BREEDING HAVE RESULTED IN RELATIVELY LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF THC, AND TALL, FAST GROWING PLANTS OPTIMIZED FOR HIGHER STALK HARVESTS.~~~Al (Alex-Alexander) D Girvan.

Poor Health, Especially Among Men, Costs Canadian Taxpayers $36.9 Billion a Year.

THE EVEN BETTER NEWS IS

Research has shown, time and time again-should the Canadian male, or female just make the decision to (although for senior’s on pension “BENEFITS” the SCAM term politicians prefer to use; when referring to the pensions working Canadians have paid for all their lives and been FORCED to allow the GOVERNMENTS to ADMINISTER such is often next to impossible) to live tobacco free, eat well, participate in regular physical activities, and to do what we can to prevent chronic disease there is absolutely no OTHER reason they should not live to be over  one hundred twenty five (125) years old.

It’s not all or nothing, even small improvements in nutrition and activity add up to big benefits later.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia June 15, 2015 /Canada NewsWire/ - Canadian Men's Health Week is kicking off (more cost, [but, possibly worthwhile, in the ling run] to the taxpayer) with an urgent message: Unhealthy lifestyle choices are running rampant, and they are costing TAXPAYERS (this country) NOT THE GOVERNMENTS an arm and a leg.

A NEW??? ground-breaking study released today shows that smoking, excess weight, over-consumption of alcohol and physical inactivity (I thought we already knew that, one or two thousand years ago) are some of the leading causes of chronic disease, among Canadian men.

The annual economic burden attributable to these four factors is staggering: $36.9 billion. No wonder the second annual Canadian Men's Health Week is striving to raise awareness about this issue and is encouraging men to make small but essential changes to their lifestyles.

The cost of Peoples (men and women) poor health is a huge problem that more and more people are talking about but few are DOING ANYTHING ABOUT. Encouraging men (and women) to make some changes in their lifestyle is helping to prevent up to 70% of these problems without adding another doctor, hospital, or taxpayer expense to the health care system.

The study, commissioned by Canadian Men’s Health Foundation, breaks down the economic burden: Direct health care accounts for $11.9 billion, with the remaining $25.1 billion caused by premature mortality ($14.0 billion), short-term disability ($2.4 billion) and long-term disability ($8.6 billion). Of this, $13.0 billion is attributable to smoking, $11.9 billion to excess weight, $7.6 billion to alcohol, and $4.4 billion to inactivity.*

These four risk factors contribute to approximately 40 different chronic conditions including 78% of chronic lung diseases, 73% of cancers of the head and neck, 72% of lung cancers, 67% of type 2 diabetes, 58% of heart diseases, 56% of strokes, 52% of colorectal cancers, and 30% of chronic back pain.

Should OUR governments ever take some responsibility; start doing-EVEN A SMALL PORTION-of the job to which they have been entrusted; this report reaffirms that healthy life choices by British Colombians WOULD help in lowering the strain on the health system and THE CANADIAN TAXPAYER.

The report is a reminder for all men (and women) of how critically important it is for every one of us try to make better choices – to live tobacco free, eat well, participate in regular physical activities, and to do what we can to prevent chronic disease.

Wake-up to the huge personal and economic costs associated with excess weight, inactivity, smoking and drinking.

The personal costs associated with family tragedy are incalculable.

Poor lifestyle choices are costing Canadians $11 billion in short and long term disability. Health care costs that already absorb more than 40 cents of every ((presently virtually worthless) dollar spent on programs-other than political “PERKS” and SALARIES.

While the economic costs are high, the effects on men's families and communities are even higher.

Widows DO account for 45% of all women aged 65 and over. We men DO need to start making changes to take better care of ourselves, not just for us, but also for the people who count on us and for our communities."

Processed Meat, Early Death Link

All HIGHLY PROCESSED MEATS, including bacon, ham, luncheon, sausage, ALL MEAT COUNTER CUTS linked to cancer, heart disease, early death.

SMOKING HEAVILY DURING MIDLIFE INCREASES THE RISK OF DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE BY MORE THAN 150%

A new study has revealed that smoking heavily during midlife increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by more than 150%.

Long Known to Increase the Risk of Cancer, Heart Disease and Strokes-- Smoking Doubles the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.

A new study has suggested that heavy smoking during middle age greatly increases the chances of developing Alzheimer or other dementia later on in life (Alzheimer can only be definitely determined after death).

Lead researcher Rachel A. Whitmer had this to say: “We found that people who reported heavy smoking in midlife had more than a 100 percent increase in risk of Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia. We have known that smoking is a risk factor for cancer, stroke and cardiovascular disease, this adds to the evidence that what is bad for the heart is bad for the brain.”

According to the results, the risks of developing the disease did not vary according to race, gender, or any other factor. As previous studies have shown, there is some link between Alzheimer and dementia and smoking. It has also been suggested that smoking is a huge risk factor for stroke, and it may also add to the risk of vascular dementia which causes small clots on the brain.

The results of the new study are likely to shock many people. It has been known for a very long time that there are a huge amount of risks that area associated with smoking, particularly for smokers who are middle aged or older. However, whatever age the smoker is, there are always going to be risks, and Alzheimer is just another one to be added to the very long list of diseases that can be triggered by smoking.

Quitnow,  Sponsored by the British Columbia Lung Association has ALL the information and is a VERY EFFECTIVE aid to help you quite smoking.  And guess what: It wont cost you anything--this program pays you--with a happier,  healthier, longer life-- WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?

An easy way to save your brain – just walk more.

A terrific study published recently online in the Frontiers of Neuroscience took some elderly adults (60-80 years old) and divided them into two groups.

One group was told to increase their aerobic activity by brisk walking most days of the week, the other group (the control group) was told to do toning, stretching and strengthening exercises.

At the end of 6 months, there was no measurable difference in the two groups.

But at the end of a year, the aerobic group had improved scores on cognition testing including the all-important areas of memory and attention.

Not only that, but the researchers claim that, based on imaging scans of their brains, the aerobic group’s “neural network connections” were similar to those of 20-30-year-olds, and although in most ways, you probably never want to be a 20year-old again, it doesn’t hurt to have the brain of one, so long, of course, as you can choose better music than they choose. 

How To Stop Smoking--NOW!

Always remember; the human mind can not act on a negative expectation. 

It rebels at the mere idea of loss or giving up. 

You DO NOT intend to lose weight;

your goal is to reduce the burden on your heart,

reduce the chance of chronic disease such as diabetes, and GAIN a healthier life,

through healthier choices. 

You must always look toward that which you are about to GAIN--

Never toward that which you feel you may LOSE.

Did you know that, nicotine is a powerful poison, commonly used as an insecticide? 

Did you know that, although nicotine is thought to be as addictive as heroin, for many people the actual with-drawl symptoms from nicotine are so mild as to be almost imperceptible?

Did you know that,the average 20-a-day smoker now spends some 100,000 on cigarettes in his life time. Yet even the poorest smokers say, "I'm not bothered about the money."

Why are we prepared to write off that $100,000 as if it didn't exist? It is not as if we just set fire to the money: We actually use it to risk horrendous diseases, to suffer a lifetime of bad breath, stained teeth, wheezing, coughing, and deprivation.

To understand why smokers find it difficult to stop, you have to understand the true reason of why we smoke. When we light that first cigarette, we put nicotine into our bodies. The moment we extinguish it, the nicotine starts to leave, and we begin to suffer an empty insecure feeling. It is nicotine addiction.

Like hunger, it only becomes a conscious suffering when it is intense enough for the brain to be aware of--and even then only if you are not able to satisfy it. If, and when, you light your second cigarette, the first few puffs replace the nicotine that has left your body. The empty, insecure feeling is replaced by a feeling of relaxation, confidence, or satisfaction.

But, your body builds immunity to the nicotine. Smoking relieves the craving for shorter and shorter periods; after a time you only partially relieve the craving even while you are smoking. this is why your intake tends to increase.

To become a non-smoker, all you have to do is follow these five simple rules. before you read them, light a cigarette. This will be the second last cigarette you ever smoke. Later on I will ask you to smoke your last cigarette. Try to enjoy both as much as possible.

RULE 1 IN A FEW MINUTES TIME, WHEN YOU SMOKE YOUR LAST CIGARETTE, MAKE A SOLEMN VOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS BEFALL YOU, YOU WILL NEVER, EVER SMOKE ANOTHER. IF YOU DO THIS, YOU ARE ALREADY A NON-SMOKER AND WILL REMAIN ONE FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. YOU CAN START ENJOYING THAT EXPERIENCE NOW EVEN WHILE YOU ARE SMOKING YOUR LAST CIGARETTES.

RULE 2 IF YOU WEIGH UP THE PROS AND CONS  OF CHOOSINF TO BE A SMOKER RATHER THAN A NON-SMOKER, THE ANSWER WILL ALWAYS BE THE SAME; ONLY A MUG OR SOMEONE WITH AN OBSESSIVE/COMPULSIVE SUICIDE WISH WOULD CHOOSE TO BE A SMOKER. EVERY SMOKER KNOWS THIS. NOW YOU NEED TO REMEMBER IT-- AS A NON-SMOKER. GET IT INTO YOUR MIND THAT THERE IS NO SACRIFICE. 

YOU ARE NOR GIVING UP--

YOU ARE NOT QUITTING--

BECAUSE SMOKING

 DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING 

FOR YOU--

AT ALL.

HAVING MADE WHAT  KNOW TO BE THE BENEFICIAL, CORRECT, AND PROFITABLE DECISION, DON'T EVER DOUBT THAT DECISION,DON'T BE A QUITTER AND GIVE UP;OR YOU WILL BE MISERABLE, BECAUSE  YOU CAN'T HAVE A CIGARETTE, AND EVEN MORE MISERABLE IF YOU DO. REMEMBER, IT'S NOT BEING ALLOWED TO SMOKE THAT MAKES SMOKING SEEM ATTRACTIVE.

RULE 3DON'T TRY NOT TO THINK ABOUT SMOKING. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BE ATTEMPTING AN IMPOSSIBILITY, AND, AS A RESULT, WILL BE MISERABLE. FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS (USUALLY BETWEEN THREE AND TEN DAYS), YU WILL HAVE A SLIGHT TRAUMA IN YOUR LIFE--YOUR BODY WILL BE PHYSICALLY CRAVING NICOTINE. IF YOU ARE AWARE OF IT AT ALL, YOU WILL KNOW IT ONLY AS THAT EMPTY, INSECURE FEELING OF RESTLESSNESS, OF "I WANT A CIGARETTE."

INSTEAD OF SAYING TO YOURSELF "OH DEAR, I CAN'T HAVE ONE," SAY TO YOURSELF "THIS IS WHAT SMOKERS SUFFER FROM ALL THEIR LIVES.THIS IS WHAT BLOCKS THEIR MINDS FROM THE FILTH, THE COST, THE SLAVERY, AND BAD HEALTH. NON-SMOKERS DON'T SUFFER THIS. ISN'T IT MARVELLOUS? I'M A NON-SMOKER.

RULE 4 IN A FEW DAYS' TIME, YOU WILL BE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY STRONGER. FRAME OF MIND IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL iF YOU THINK "I'D LOVE A CIGARETTE" OR "WHEN WILL I BE FREE?' OF COURSE YOU WILL BE MISERABLE--YOU ARE THINKING OF LOSE. SO START BY THINKING "YIPPEE, I'M ALREADY FREE!"

YOU BECOME A NON-SMOKER THE MOMENT YOU EXTINGUISH YOUR LAST CIGARETTE. THIS IS SOMETHING ALCOHOLICS SHOULD REMEMBER AS WELL. THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH THAT YOU MUST KEEP IN MIND: THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO GIVE UP. CIGARETTES DO NOTHING FOR YOU AT ALL.

RULE 5 AS A GENERAL RULE: DO NOT AVOID SMOKING SITUATIONS. DO NOT USE SUBSTITUTES. DO NOT KEEP CIGARETTES.

 DO NOT PERSUADE YOURSELF THIS HAS TO BE DIFFICULT. ABOVE ALL, DO NOT ENVY THOSE WHO ARE STILL SMOKERS. WHAT IS THERE TO ENVY? THERE IS NOTHING TO FEEL DEPRIVED OF. THAT SINGLE, ENJOYABLE CIGARETTE THAT THOSE WHO GIVE UPKEEP PINING AFTER IS AN ILLUSION. THINK OF THIS EACH TIME YOU WATCH A SMOKER LIGHT UP. iT IS THOSE POOR SMOKERS WHO ARE BEING DEPRIVED--OF THEIR HEALTH, ENERGY, MONEY, CONCENTRATION, COURAGE, FREEDOM, SELF-ESTEEM,AND SELF-RESPECT. NOW LIGHT YOUR LAST CIGARETTE AND READ OVER THIS ARTICLE ONCE AGAIN.

IWOULD LIKE YOU TO STOP SMOKING TODAY. NOT BECAUSE IT IS KILLING YOU, NOR BECAUSE IT IS COSTING YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN AFFORD, BUT FOR THE REASON THAT YOU WILL INSTANTLY BEGIN TO ENJOY LIFE MORE THAN YOU CAN REMEMBER HAVING DONE IN YEARS. AND, YOU WILL CARRY ON DOING SO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WITHOUT THAT EVER INCREASING DARK SHADOW THAT ALL SMOKERS HAVE LURKING AT THE BACK OF THEIR MINDS. EXTINGUISH YOUR LAST CIGARETTE, AND DESTROY ANY OTHERS YOU HAVE LEFT. 

CONGRATULATIONS!

YOU ARE FREE. 

YOU ARE NO LONGER A SMOKER, AND-- YOU DIDN'T GIVE UP ANYTHING.

Quitnow, Sponsored by the British Columbia Lung Association (obviously, I disagree with the name)  has ALL the information and is a VERY EFFECTIVE aid to help you stop smoking.  And guess what: It wont cost you anything--this program pays you--with a happier,  healthier, longer life-- WHO COULD ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE?

REMEMBER--TOBACCO IS NOT LIKE ALCOHOL. THERE IS NO BENEFIT TO BE GAINED THROUGH SMOKING, WHILE THERE MAY BE SOME BENEFIT TO BE GAINED THROUGH LIGHT TO MODERATE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.