Five Facts You Should Know About Smoking

By Brad Taft
Health Promotion Outcomes Researcher
USACHPPM, DHPW

You are a Soldier. You wear the uniform proudly as one of America's best: smart, tough, and good at what you do. You are an Army of One.

But not everyone thinks that. Some companies see you as a weak little nobody and just want to take your money and your health. And that's what is happening to you and a lot of your buddies. If you smoke, you are being taken for all you've got -- your money and your health. So listen up, I'm going to tell you five facts about smoking that ought to make you want to kick tobacco.

Fact 1: Smokers are not addicted to tobacco; they are addicted to nicotine. Nicotine is a drug that occurs naturally in tobacco. Puffing a cigarette is the way to give you the biggest dose of nicotine you can get in just a few seconds so that anyone who smokes cigarettes will get addicted to nicotine.

Fact 2: Nicotine is very addictive. The American Lung Association puts it right up there with cocaine and heroine. Most people who begin smoking start to feel addicted after just a few packs; after a carton, well, you're hooked.

Fact 3: If you are addicted to nicotine, and since smoking cigarettes is the best way to get nicotine, then those who want your money will provide you with cigarettes, for a price of course. Because you're addicted, your money and your health go up in smoke (literally) one pack at a time.

Fact 4: A Soldier can quit smoking if he or she wants to. You have the right to quit! Your Commander wants you to quit! Your Family wants you to quit! But it doesn't matter who else in your life wants you to quit, it's up to you. You have to want to quit. You CAN quit smoking and use your money and your time for a lot better things. You decide. Quitting is hard. But, if you decide to quit, there are some proven ways to succeed and there are some folks at the health clinic who will help you succeed.

Fact 5: You may not believe that you should quit smoking. You may not be convinced that nicotine addiction is sucking out your money and your health. Well, try this. Thursday, 20 NOVEMBER 2003 is the Great American Smokeout. Quit for a day, just that one day. See how you feel as the day goes on. If you are irritable, fidgety, can't concentrate and feel like you need a smoke to just settle down, then you'll know that you are not in control anymore, that you are addicted to nicotine. And you'll know that you need to make a plan to quit smoking.

Think about it. You decide. Make the right choice. Quit smoking for a day on 20 NOVEMBER. And then, make a plan to quit for good.

Source: Five Facts You Should Know About Smoking; PR 27-03; September 24, 2003; PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE, U.S. ARMY CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE, ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MARYLAND 21010-5403; For more information about this article, call 410 436-4656/7972 DSN 584.