2. Why smoke? Nicotine – which enters the blood stream and when smoked enters into your lungs. It can have a calming affect on a person, especially when things are stressful. Which is additive as heroin. Smoking can also be considered a physical addiction. Some people only smoke when around others that are smoking or to create an image while out.
4. In the beginning: Smoking began many, many years ago when the Mayan civilization began to chew and smoke the leaves of the tobacco plants they grew. After this they began to mix the tobacco with different types of herbs and other plants to use as medicine. After several years tobacco was soon discovered in America and farmers began this for an annual crop. Tobacco became a large farm that famers in America grew and sold for a profit. As the source of tobacco grew many different types of products were produced. Smoking became a social event and a pleasure for some. In the beginning it was not common to see women smoking.
5. Smokers soon become concerned With it being used for wounds and sickness the actual warning effects of tobacco were not produced until the 1950’s, and then links between smoking and lung cancer began. It was allowed in all public settings and very easy to buy. Young children could go into stores and purchase cigarettes and cigars without parent’s permission. In July 1998 all fifty states had a law that anyone under age of eighteen could not purchase tobacco products. In 1973 the first restriction on smoking in a public place was the Unites States airline. (Help With Smoking, 2005-2010) There are about 43.4 million Americans who are smokers, but in the past forty years it has dropped. As doctor’s research increased and more proof showed that cigarette smoke and secondhand smoke was the leading cause of deaths, more warning went out and people began heading them. It is a fact that around 157,000 people die each year of cancer related to cigarette usage. You do not have to be a smoker, because second hand smoke is just as dangerous as the smoke is to the actual smoker. To help with this laws began passing nonsmoking in certain buildings and public places.
6. Has it changed: Today there are only limited restaurants and a few public building that allow smoking. With the fact that growing tobacco in the United States in limited and sales is low, additional tax increases have been added to the purchase of cigarettes which makes it harder to buy. People are beginning to find methods to help them quit smoking and relieve their self from the addiction to nicotine. With the health concerns, limited smoking areas, and the prices the percentage of smokers are dropping.
7. You can do it. The smoking rate has been reduced from 26.5% in 1998, 25.1% in 2002, to 20.8% in 2006. At this time it is still holding a percentage just above twenty percent. With the warning facts, prices, and concern for our health and others; smokers are quitting the unhealthy habit and picking up healthier ones.
8. Reference: Help With Smoking (2005 – 2010). Retrieved April 02, 2010, from http://www.helpwithsmoking.com/history-of-smoking.php
