Smoking is the leading cause of death in the United States. It also causes about 400,000 deaths each year. Smoking causes more deaths per year than HIV, illegal drug and alcohol use, vehicle accidents, murders and suicides. For every one person that dies from smoking 20 people die from smoking related causes like cancer, heart disease, stroke and artery disease.

Nicotine is one of the most deadly carcinogens there are. Nicotine is used in insecticides to darts designed to kill elephants. Most cigarettes sold in the US today contain nicotine.

When you quit smoking, the first 20 minutes your blood pressure, pulse rate and body temperature returns to normal. In 8 hours the nicotine in your blood stream has a reduction of 93.25%. In 72 hours the 90% of all nicotine levels have passed through your body through your urine.  

You can quit smoking. If may take you several attempts but it is not impossible to quit. If you can’t do it alone get help. There are drugs, hypnosis, acupuncture, herbs and forums out there to help you. You just need to find the one that works for you. Don’t try them all at once. But when you find something that works use it for as long as possible and then move on to something else if you have too. Stay focused and you will be a non-smoker.