Submitted by webmaster on Thu, 2012-08-16 11:10
Myth: 
Nicotine is not an addiction.
Fact: 
As it is not illegal, some people believe that it is fine to use. They believe that Nicotine is not addiction and is not as harmful as other illicit drug addiction. But the truth is Nicotine addiction is as real as any other addiction. Some researchers even believe that it is one of the most addictive because it is less considered as addiction.
Myth: 
My other healthy habits may make up for my smoking.
Fact: 
Some smokers justify their habit by insisting that proper nutrition and lots of exercise are enough to keep them healthy. Not so.
Myth: 
Switching to 'light' cigarettes will cut my risk.
Fact: 
Smokers who switch to brands labeled "light" or "mild" inevitably compensate for the lower levels of tar and nicotine by inhaling smoke more deeply or by smoking more of each cigarette.
Myth: 
I've smoked for so long; the damage is already done.
Fact: 
The damage caused by smoking is cumulative, and the longer a person smokes, the greater his/her risk for life-threatening ailments. But quitting smoking at any age brings health benefits.
Myth: 
Trying to quit smoking will stress me out -- and that's unhealthy.
Fact: 
True, tobacco withdrawal is stressful. But there's no evidence that the stress has negative long-term effects. In fact, research shows that smokers who quit begin eating better, exercising more, and feeling better about themselves.
Myth: 
The weight gain that comes with quitting is just as unhealthy as smoking.
Fact: 
Smokers who quit gain an average of 7.5 kilogram. But the risk posed by carrying the extra weight is miniscule compared to the risk of continuing to smoke.
Myth: 
Quitting "cold turkey" is the only way to go.
Fact: 
Some smokers think that quitting abruptly is the best approach and that willpower is the only effective tool for curbing tobacco cravings. They're partly right: Commitment is essential. But smokers are more likely to succeed at quitting if they take advantage of counseling and smoking cessation medications.
Myth: 
Nicotine products are just as unhealthful as smoking.
Fact: 
Nicotine is safe when used as directed. Even using nicotine every day for years would be safer than smoking. After all, nicotine products deliver only nicotine. Cigarettes deliver nicotine along with 4,000 other compounds, including more than 60 known carcinogens, according to the American Lung Association.
Myth: 
Cutting back on smoking is good enough.
Fact: 
Cutting down on the number of cigarettes is not an effective strategy. Smokers who cut back draw more deeply and smoke more of each cigarette. So even though they smoke fewer cigarettes, they get the same dose of toxic smoke. The data suggest that the only “smoking cessation strategy” that works consistently is getting to the point of not even a single puff.
Myth: 
I tried quitting once and failed, so it's no use trying again.
Fact: 
Most smokers try several times before quitting for good. So if you've failed previously, don't let that deter you from trying again. Each time people quit, they learn things that could be useful for their next attempt at quitting. Experts say, "The first time you try to quit is practice, the second time is practice, and the third or fourth time, you get it right. You have to keep trying".
Myth: 
A woman who smokes in her third trimester will lower the birth weight of her baby and will therefore have an easier labour.
Fact: 
While smoking in the third trimester may lower a baby’s birth weight to some extent, the amount is probably not enough to significantly ease labour. Further, low birth weight can result in potentially significant complications for the baby.