Confessions of a Smoker: Is there any hope that smokers will actually quit smoking?

Chantix, the patch, hypnotism, Nicorette gum, and counseling—chances are smokers who are trying to kick the habit have tried them all. But how effective are they?

I started smoking when I was twelve years old. I was heavily addicted to the cancer stick; in fact, I smoked about 2 ½ packs per day. And it was all taking a toll on my health. I lost my sense of smell and my sense of taste, and I woke up in the middle of the night choking because I couldn’t breathe. Whenever I caught a cold, it immediately turned to bronchitis and laryngitis, and I’d be hooked up to the nebulizer. Two years ago, during my last bout with bronchitis, I was sick for nearly two months.

For years I tried to quit smoking. I tried the patch, and quite frankly, that made me want to smoke even more. On another occasion, I paid $200 to be hypnotized; I lit up a cigarette in the parking lot. I tried the gum, and it made me throw up. In desperation, I paid someone $75 a week to teach me how to quit smoking. I went through all the cessation steps, gradually cut down to the lightest nicotine levels as possible, but I could no longer keep it up when my instructor told me I had to give up drinking coffee as well. On yet another occasion, my aunt introduced me to the nicotine lozenge, and that was like eating candy; it did nothing for me. Finally, I had my doctor prescribe Chantix. The makers of this very expensive little blue pill boast of a 42% success rate. I spent $250 for my prescription; the price alone could kill a person! I took one pill as directed; almost immediately, I was in the bathroom hugging the toilet bowl and begging for death. I got so violently ill, I am surprised I didn’t literally throw up my shoes. If that’s what I have to go through, I’d rather smoke!

At this point, I had just about given up hope. I had visions of myself ending up like my late uncle, who died of lung cancer. Even weeks before his death, he’d have a cigarette in one hand and the oxygen in another. I knew that was going to be me. After taking off work for several weeks because I was so sick with bronchitis, I finally returned to work, still unable to talk, and still smoking. While I was at work, I did a paper reading service for a student. Shortly after, I got up to go for a coffee break and reached for my cigarettes. She stopped me in the hallway and told me she knew I was sick, knew I smoked, knew I was slowly killing myself, but knew of a way to help me quit. I responded, “I have tried everything, and nothing works.” I braced myself for the typical lecture of a non-smoker who doesn’t have a clue, which only irritates smokers with stupidity: “You know smoking is really bad for you.” Thank you Captain Obvious. That’s like telling Floridians it’s hot in August.

But she said something that got my attention: “Nothing the doctors give you will ever work because smoking is more than just a physical addiction to nicotine. It’s an engrained lifestyle, an oral fixation, and an addiction that’s worse than heroin.” She knew my pain; she was evidently a smoker herself; otherwise, she would not have understood the struggle that all smokers go through.

“What if I told you there was a way to quit without having to give up your life style or the oral fixation. In fact, you don’t give anything up at all, except the smell, the yellow teeth, the nicotine stained walls.” She then introduced me to the electronic cigarette. Since she had an extra one with her, she asked me to try it out.

I tried and realized that I could actually see myself doing it. But I had heard that electronic cigarettes were outrageously expensive, cost over $150. She informed that I could buy them online at a fraction of the price and gave me the website she uses. When I got paid again, I ordered my first electronic cigarette. It lasted me a month and broke. I was frustrated and started smoking again. But during that month before my electronic cigarette broke, I was off cigarettes for the entire month! The longest I had ever gone without a cigarette was two days, and that was only because I was in the hospital recovering from surgery.

I spent another week researching electronic cigarettes and read all the customer reviews. Everyone pointed to one company, one brand. I paid $65 for my starter kit of two electronic cigarettes, a USB charger, and a bottle of nicotine solution. I realized that I could even slowly lower the dosage of nicotine, so I could eventually wean myself off the addiction.

All of this happened two years ago, and I have never looked back. I now sleep through the night because I can breathe better. I got my sense of taste back, and I got my sense of smell back. I have slowly cut myself down from 36 mg of nicotine to 8 mg. My house, my clothes, and my car no longer smell like smoke. The smelly ashtrays are gone. Whereas before I couldn’t walk up a half a flight of stairs without stopping to catch my breath, I can now run up three flights of stairs with no problems. And I have not caught bronchitis in two years, whereas I used to get it two or three times per year. About six months ago, I forgot to bring a spare battery to work, and the one I was using died on me. I bummed a cigarette off one of my co-workers. I felt as if I had just licked an ashtray. That was enough for me!

Non-smokers will never understand how the electronic cigarette could be the answer, so I’ll shed some light here. It is not the nicotine that kills people, that causes cancer and heart disease; it is the smoke, the carbon monoxide, and the other 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes that kill a person. With the electronic cigarette, there is no smoke. What I inhale is vapor, made up of mostly water, vegetable oil, flavoring, and a little bit of nicotine. In other words, what I inhale is what we eat in our foods every day. It’s much healthier and cheaper. Consider this savings. As a smoker, I spent approximately $75 per week on cigarettes; I now spend about $20 per month on nicotine solution. The $65 is a one-time fee.

Not all electronic cigarettes are the same. As with purchasing any electronic device, shop around until you find something that fits your budget. Above all else, read the independent customer reviews; there are thousands of them. Never buy them at the mall.

Now tell me, Is there any hope that smokers will actually quit smoking?

Indian history marred with different interpretations as per current convenience

Modern India is a land of heterogeneous humanity of different nationalities, racial and ethnic groups and religious communities which have settled in this land over time. The first interest in the documentation of Indian history in a chronological manner came from the most unlikely source – the European scholars and the British administrators. Interest in India was kindled by the work of European scholars, like Prof. F. Max Mueller, studying the Sanskrit language. The British administrators also began the documentation of Indian history around this time. The first version of the new Indian History was therefore a reflection of the mindset of the British historians. Since the British themselves came from a clearly defined dynastic rule, their interpretation was also biased in favor of documentation of rise and fall of dynasties. This is still the way history is taught in our schools and colleges as we still follow the system of education bequeathed to us by the British. In the beginning another problem that arose was that the imperialists believed that there was no civilization like the Greek civilization- le miracle Grec. Comparisions were made in things that had no link to anything Greek. The best example is probably the one where Vincent Smith, the pre-eminent historian of early India, while writing about a mural at the Ajanta site says that it was influenced by the Persians and ultimately by the Greeks where as nothing of the type can be even vaguely deduced either artistically or historically. Indian historians of this era reacted sharply to this assumption and vehemently put forth the idea of the “spiritual “greatness of Indian culture as opposed to the “materialism” of other civilizations. It was a long time later that it was accepted that each civilization was unique and civilizations do not need to be clones of each other. Most later day Indian historians had either participated or were influenced by the struggle for independence movement. They began to interpret history in a way that emphasized that the best of Indian history had come before the British advent in India. This was anti-British sentiments being echoed in the re-interpretation of history. As the Indian independence movement entered its last phase, a section of its people started having a Hindu-Muslim divide in their thinking. Mindsets during this period led to history being viewed along entirely sectarian lines - Ancient India was now viewed as “Hindu” in nature and the Medieval as “Muslim”. Today history is primarily studied in the light of other features which go into the making of a civilization rather than having a kings and rulers emphasis. It is now believed that changes in the political scenes are mirrored in the economic field which in turn has a bearing on the relationships in society. The earlier works are very crucial in establishing a strong chronological backbone. History all over the world today is not merely studied for its dynasties but also for the impact it had on the economic and social life of its people. 

Disturbances in the natural habitat of animals around Guwahati is story of every city and town

TV Channels are full of coverage about animals entering human area putting in danger both parties.

Guwahati, which has been called the Gateway of North-east India is the capital city of the state of Assam. Many people would be surprised to learn that Guwahati is almost three times the size of Kolkata. It is, according to a survey, the 5^th in a list of the fastest-growing cities in India, and ranks among the top 100 in a similar list for the entire globe. It is expected that in a few years, the city will reach about double its present size.

Now, though all this development bodes well for the economy, the ecology is another matter altogether. The worsening in the state of the ecosystem is apparent in a recent news items, which tell of how wild animals have been entering the city and attacking the people. This has resulted in serious injuries and some attacks have even proved fatal.

These confrontations between human beings and animals are by no means unheard of in other areas of the country, or for that matter, even the world. Balancing between development and protection of natural resources is a difficult task, and we seem to have done poorly at it.

As we encroach upon the homes of wild animals, we only risk more such unfortunate events. The animals first attack settlements, and then, in rage, human beings set out to seek revenge, hurting the animals, making them all the more dangerous.

What is needed is the creation of buffer zones, where there is some forest cover so that animals do not come in direct contact with human beings, and human beings can carry on the part of their livelihood which depends on the forest and natural resources. Also, corridors of unspoilt forest land should be created between adjacent settlements, so that the animals are not forced to enter human habitations, which is what is happening now.

Acid attack, or vitriolage, is a particularly malicious and damaging form of violence

The perpetrator throws acid at the victim, which has horrifying results.

Acid attacks seem to be almost uniquely found in parts of Asia, like India, Bangladesh (it records the highest number of such unfortunate incidents), Pakistan, Cambodia and Afghanistan (some reasons for the prevalence of acid attacks in these countries have been discussed below).

Most cases that come to light involve violence against females (The victims are, in most cases, females between 16 to 25 years of age.) by spurned lovers, rejected suitors, vindictive husbands or any angered male, for that matter. Their hurt ego, jealousy and other workings of the mind at their 'rejection' lead these men to seek 'revenge', and unfortunately, to drive home their point they decide to employ means which leave their victim scarred for life – disfigured, confined to their homes out of pain and mental distress, unable to earn a living...

Physical, Psychological, Social and Economic Consequences

i. Acids, at high concentrations can cause immense damage to the human body. They destroy or irreversibly damage the eyes, skin, the layer of tissue beneath the skin and respiratory passages.

In sufficiently high concentrations, it may even eat through the layer of tissue and reach the muscles and the bones. There have been cases of acids dissolving bones as well.

Eyes are very sensitive organs, and in many cases, victims suffer serious damage to the cornea. Blindness can also occur. Even if there is hope of regaining sight through surgery and implants, the process is lengthy and financially draining.

Acids, or acidic vapours, when inhaled, corrode delicate tissue that lines the nasal cavity and the respiratory passages, causing great physical discomfort and irreparable damage. The vapours may block the respiratory tract and make it difficult or impossible to breathe, sometimes causing the death of the victim.

All of this has even more potential for harm because often, proper treatment is not available, largely due to ignorance. There have been cases of the coconut oil being applied to the wounds and the victims being wrapped in blankets, while the correct procedure is to wash the acid away with large amounts of water.

ii. The victims of acid attacks are disfigured beyond recognition. Their appearance being distorted, they are shocked when they see themselves in mirrors, suffer from low self-esteem and feel worthless and many cannot think of walking out of their homes again.

It is difficult to even imagine what they have to live through – perpetual fear, the feeling that they are a burden upon the people they are dependent on, depression...

iii. Even if they do want to reintegrate into the society, it is not easy for others to accept them. Other people do sympathize with the victims, but find it difficult to face them and therefore these unfortunate people are neglected and ignored.

Victims of the attacks face many social problems.

In such a scenario, I think it is important to address this problem effectively and as soon as possible. In a country like India, where a huge gender gap exists and women are always vulnerable, it is important that this method which men employ to seek brutal revenge with much ease should be handled strictly.