Over the past decade or so, the number of countries cutting back on smoking has continued to increase. Many countries now prohibit smoking in specific places like in family restaurants or coffee shops. In some cases, the ban encompasses all public establishments including offices, pool halls, and even bars. Why have these 66+ countries imposed these restrictions and bans? It might seem obvious to some of us who have had the privilege of watching countless videos and commercials on the affect of tobacco on our health, but to others the dangers are either not as clear or are ignored. The connection between smoking and cancer is widely understood but people continue to smoke, gambling with the odds of actually developing lung cancer and heart disease. In a lot of cases, the people smoking claim that they are only at risk of damaging their own health and insist on continuing. Unfortunately that is not true. The effects of smoking go way past one person and his/her cigarette.

Secondhand smoke is particularly dangerous because anyone that is in the surrounding area of the smoker will be exposed to the smoke without the meager benefit of the filter attached to the cigarette. It isn't even a matter of being in the same room at the same time either because cigarette smoke can linger in the area for hours after the actual cigarette has burnt out. So, non-smoking family members, friends or co-workers will also be exposed to that smoke unintentionally. Secondhand smoke directly causes cancer, respiratory infections, and asthma - very unpleasant results for just being in the same room as a smoker, either while he/she is smoking or after he/she has finished.

The chemicals that make up a cigarette are like a toxic bath. If they were mixed up into a cocktail instead of stuffed into a rolled paper tube, people might feel less inclined to pollute their bodies, the air, and the lungs of their loved ones with them. Some of the chemicals included in secondhand smoke include arsenic ammonia, benzene, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide. Do any of these ingredients make you feel queasy? They definitely should! Formaldehyde is used in the production of polymers, resins, paints, and explosives. How about hydrogen cyanide? If you think it sounds unappealing, discovering that it is listed among the chemical warfare agents that cause general poisoning will probably make you feel worse. Higher concentrations in the air can kill a human within a few minutes and hydrogen cyanide as a gas at 5.6% or higher is explosive! Why on earth would anyone want to intentionally inhale anything with such frighteningly harmful effects? I'm hoping that they won't after reading this article.

Secondhand smoke is more dangerous than actually smoking and poses the greatest risk to children and pregnant women. Aside from causing lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, it is also known to cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Smoking while pregnant can cause birth deformities in the developing fetus. Smoke and children definitely do not mix!

If you're considering stopping smoking and need some extra added incentive, here are some facts on smoking and cigarettes that just might do the trick.

• Smoking is the largest most preventable cause of premature death
• Smokers that have a heart attack are less likely to survive than non-smokers
• Continuing to smoke after a heart attack increases the chances of a second heart attack
• Smoking can lead to peripheral vascular disease. This can result in a blood clot and the loss of an arm or leg
• Ex-smokers have less health ailments than current smokers, including bronchitis and pneumonia
• Lung cancer has already surpassed breast cancer as being the number one cancer in women
• A pack of cigarettes a day for year can pay for a weekend summer vacation or a brand new digital hi-vision TV. Imagine what 2 or 3 packs a day could buy you!
• The nicotine in cigarettes is addictive so if you start it will be very difficult to stop

Deciding to quit smoking is a great step to take in improving the quality of air in your household and protecting both yourself and the health of your family and loved ones. But it isn't an easy one. Before you can stop smoking you have to be honest with yourself and realize that you'll have to work hard to kick the habit. One thing that'll help you stop smoking is by figuring out what made you start smoking in the first place. Find out what triggers your urge to smoke, whether it be stress, or overtime at work, family pressures, or peer pressure. A lot of boys as young as 10 years old start smoking because it's seen as something cool to do and is forced on them by the influence of their friends and classmates. There are more girls smoking as well for similar reasons. A lot of young expectant mothers are seen smoking as well, perhaps because they aren't aware of the negative affect this will have on their unborn child.

In order to stop smoking, you have to set up a plan and firmly stick to it. Telling your family and friends of your intention to quit smoking can definitely help. Support from the people around you will go a long way in seeing you through this tough transition. Fight cigarette cravings by finding something that will draw your attention away from the craving. There are a lot of over-the-counter products that you can get for staving cravings like chewing gum or the patch. But these are only effective if you combine them with your own willpower to conquer this bad habit. Keep a journal to log your progress as you gradually cut back and finally quit smoking altogether.

Above all else, think of the benefits that stopping smoking will bring you. You'll have an increased lifespan, be much healthier so that you can enjoy life to the fullest, and you won't be the cause of any illnesses in the people around you. Your quality of life will be greatly increased once you have put away the cigarettes once and for all. If you need more assistance in quitting, there are many support groups and doctors that would be more than willing to help you reach your goal.