Celebrate your independence from tobacco
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD
However, I think it is also appropriate for all of you who have at one time been addicted to tobacco and managed to quit, to take a moment to celebrate your own independence on this day. Giving up smoking is no easy thing to do and many of you will have taken many attempts before finally succeeding.
There is also some irony in celebrating your independence from tobacco on the 4th, because in fact this great nation was partly built on the proceeds from tobacco farming. In 1609, John Rolfe arrived at the Jamestown Settlement in Virginia. He is credited as the first man to successfully raise tobacco for commercial use at Jamestown, having brought the preferred Nicotiana tabacum seeds with him from Bermuda. . Shortly after arriving, his first wife died, and he married Pocahontas, a daughter of Chief Powhatan. Rolfe made his fortune farming and exporting tobacco. In the 17th century the English government increased import taxes on tobacco by 4000 percent, (increasing dissatisfaction among colonists and moves towards independence). During its first century after independence, tobacco taxes accounted for a third of the internal revenue collected by the US government.
The need for cheap labor to drive the profitable tobacco industry was also a primary reason for the introduction of slavery in the south. At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, almost 50% of the population of Virginia were African slaves, numbering almost half a million by 1860. So the first colony in America (Virginia), the introduction of slavery, and the opposition to British taxes were all largely based around the growth of the tobacco industry.
So here we are on 4th July 2007. Those who have achieved mental and financial independence from tobacco should give themselves a pat on the back for succeeding in freeing themselves from this most deadly addiction. For those readers who are still smoking, what better day to make your own personal declaration of independence?
Labels: declaration, dependence, independence, nicotine addiction cigarette smoking tobacco
8 Comments:
At Wed Jul 04, 11:21:00 PM 2007,
BinTN said…
Today is my 11th week of quitting, However, I have felt so bad since I quit! Not only the ordinary side effects, (crankiness, wt. gain, etc) but really sick! I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and both have been as bad as ever. I have constant clammy sweats, extreme
fatigue and now I have the shingles. I mean my body is truly attacking itself. Is this because of the autoimmune disorders, the detox process or what? It is so discouraging. I really thought I'd be feeling much
better by now. Any help will be appreciated!
At Thu Jul 05, 07:30:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I have smoked for over 35 years and fianally quit!!.It was hard , but so am I *L*.Have Never felt better !....used the patch and it helped a lot.I now konw I will never smoke again !!....(everyday it get's easier. If I can do it , Anyone can !!....I had tried Many times before ...never Quit Quitting !!
At Thu Jul 05, 07:32:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I have reached the 6 month point , and find that hard !!...it WILL pass !....i know I am Proud of myself !!
At Thu Jul 05, 10:00:00 AM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear bintn,
This would be a very unusual reaction to quitting smoking. Psorisis more comonly improves on smoking cessation. Did anything else change in conjuntion with you quiting (and are you using any smoking cessation medicines)? Given how bad you are feeling and the complexity of your medical history, my recommendation has to be that you see your medical care provider for assessment and treatment of the symptoms that are not normally associated with quitting smoking. I'd also strongly enourage you to keep with your quit. 11 weeks is great and too valuable to throw away. Keep going but do see your doctor.
At Thu Aug 02, 12:57:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
August 2, 2007
Today I am celebrating three months nicotine free! I woke up the day after I smoked my last cigarette with a headache and decided not to smoke that day. Since then, each morning when I wake up I tell myself that for today, I have decided not to smoke. It was much easier than I anticipated quitting cold turkey...Well, almost...on the third or fourth day I recall consuming about three apples and what seemed like a truck load of baby carrots. I also increased my water intake and started a new walking program...So to anyone who is struggling with the habit, be your own health care advocate - YOU CAN QUIT - You will be amazed at how much your life will improve!
At Thu Aug 02, 08:45:00 PM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dear anonymous of Aug 2nd,
Thanks for your words of encouragement. Sounds like your quit contained a few successful pointers:
1. Eat plenty of healthy food (rather than restricting food intake at the same time as quitting smoking).
2. Increase your exercise to burn calories, keep you busy and lift your mood.
3. Take it a day (or even an hour) at a time. It seems less daunting and more manageable that way.
Your comments are right on.
At Wed Aug 08, 09:02:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I have been smoke free for about a week, which is great for me and I feel I can do this; I am currently on CHantix; the weird thing about my symptoms is that I feel like I am getting dehydrated, Ihave been drinking water and this was not noted as a symptom of chantix, so is it a symptom of withdrawal
At Wed Aug 08, 12:28:00 PM 2007,
Jonathan Foulds, MA, MAppSci, PhD said…
Dehydration or increased thirst is not a recognized nicotine withdrawal symptom, not have I heard it frequently mentioned by patients using Chantix. Of course everyone reacts differently to medicines. Any other possible explanation for dehydration? (e.g. where I am its been above 90 degrees for the past week, causing more perspiratation etc). If your symptoms persist or worsen then you should discuss with your healthcare provider.
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