Page 2 The Lion’s Eye November 9, 2001 ; - MOKINE. : #8 By CHRISTINE CONRON Staff writer The next time you are in class, take a look at the peo- ple sitting on either side of you. Now imagine that all three of you are smokers, and that one of you will die pre- maturely from a tobacco-related disease. Each year, smoking kills more people than AIDS, alco- hol, drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicides, and fires combined, and on average, smokers die eight years earli- er than non-smokers. These statistics show why it isn't surprising that half of all people who have ever smoked have successfully quit. Even one day without smoking decreases’ your likelihood of having a heart attack, and after fifteen years the risk of heart disease is no greater than if you had never smoked. Also, by quitting smoking you will have more self-confi- dence for taking control of your addiction. On Nov. 7, the Smoking Cessation program, which offers support and educational workshops for leading a smoke-free life, will be held in the Commons Building. By joining other smokers, the program encourages its participants to quit smoking as well as to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The'program will provide suggestions as well as the moral support that is needed i in order to suc- cessfully quit smoking. When making the decision to quit, there are several ways that you can choose to do so. Many choose to use the aid of nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches or gum, which will suppress cravings by giving off nico- tine. Other forms of nicotine replacement therapies include nasal sprays or inhalers, which also help with cravings, though a prescription is needed. Other ways to quit include gradually decreasing the amount of cigarettes per day, until you can eventually To be eligible for Penn State Delaware County's Dean's List, a student must earn a 3.5 average or better out of 4.0. Listed by hometown, the following students have made the Dean's List for the Summer 2001 semester: Aston: Jessica Michel, Morgan Schwalbe Chadds Ford: Alison Potter Gladwyne: Kimberly Matthews Holmes: Alison Long quit, or attempting to stop smoking completely, which may be difficult for most people when dealing with with- drawal symptoms. According to the University Health Services, before attempting to quit smoking, you first need to prepare by knowing your triggers and barriers. Think about when you smoke the most and what situa- tions or emotions trigger you to smoke. By knowing when and why you smoke, you will be prepared to deal with the withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness or irritability that will occur, which you would usually suppress with nico- tine. You also may have created barriers, which have kept you from quitting in the past. Many smokers fear that they will lose control, once they can no longer rely on nicotine to calm them down or pick them up. Therefore, other stress-reduction strategies such as exercise or gum chew- ing are needed in order to quit successfully. It is also important to maintain a healthy diet, and to establish a regular aerobic exercise program. Many expe- rience weight gain when quitting smoking, since nicotine is an appetite suppressant, so eating healthy and getting regular exercise is important in keeping you from getting discouraged. Moral support is also essential in your prope- ration, in order to keep you motivated. Other helpful suggestions in helping you to quit are to set a definite quit date for yourself. You should choose a time to quit when you aren't under an unusual amount of stress, and write it down with your signature so that you will stick to it. Also, plan rewards to motivate yourself for each week that you successfully meet your goal. Try to avoid using food, so that you don't gain weight, as well as alcohol, which is a diuretic and increases your urges to smoke. You will most likely experience symptoms of withdraw, which can be easily suppressed if you are prepared in advance. an's List for Summer 2001 Announced Kennet Square: Terri Goida King of Prussia: John Kendig Media: Kirat Kharode, Derek Kunz Villanova: Carmen Belasco Wallingford: Casey Colonna, Justin Soss Wayne: Marilu Giurastante West Chester: Kenneth Byers, Dawn Guy, Keith McDonnell, Donald Tracy, Arthur Webb Congratulations! kicking the habit with help A PACK A DAY CaN TAKE YouR LIFE AWAY: For grouchiness or irritability, taking a few short breaths will usually help to calm you down. You may also have trouble getting to sleep, so in order to relax try taking hot baths or meditating at the end of your day. For the first few days, you may also feel fuzzyheaded due to the toxins being released by your body. To help, you can drink extra water or take fast-paced walks. For additional information, or if you are having trouble quitting smoking, call your doctor or visit the Student Life office in the Commons Building.
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