Many believe that it's time for the government to step in and make tobacco illegal--just like marijuana and heroin. But that's doubtful. The tobacco industry earns over $60 million a year--that's 2.5 percent of the Gross National Product--a big chunk of this country's economy. Hundreds of thousands of jobs depend on the tobacco industry, and to shut it down would mean financial disaster for many.
Still, many groups are beginning to question the morality of growing a crop that's so dangerous to health. In North Carolina, a state where half the income comes from tobacco, the Council of Churches just published a paper asking farmers to think of other crops they can grow to replace tobacco. But with 52 million people buying cigarettes everyday, tobacco is one of the most stable crops a farmer can grow. As long as people continue to buy it, farmers will grow it. SMOKING--A PROBLEM YOU CAN SOLVE
Most people who smoke started before the age of 15. That means that if today no more teens took up smoking, this country's number one health hazard could be wiped out.
Here's what you can do: Join the Great American Smokeout on November 15. If you're a smoker, don't smoke for the whole day. If you don't smoke--help a smoker kick the habit. Make this year's slogan--"Adopt a Smoker for the Day"--mean something. HELP FOR THOSE WHO SMOKE 1. Throw out all cigarettes by breaking them in half and wetting them down. Clean out ashtrays in your home, place of work, or car, and put them away. Discard matches and hide lighters. 2. When the urge to smoke hits, take a deep breath, hold it for 10 seconds, then release it slowly. Taking deep, rhythmic breaths is like smoking only you inhale clean air instead of poison. 3. Exercise to relieve tension that quitting smoking can cause. 4. When tempted to reach for a cigarette, think of a bad image about smoking--like the time you burned a hole in your favorite sweater. 5. Reward yourself with oral substitutes to take the place of cigarettes--sugarless gum, lemon drops, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, apple slices, carrot sticks, or unbuttered popcorn. 6. Be sure to eat three meals a day. This will maintain your blood sugar level and prevent the urge to smoke. Sugary and spicy foods can trigger a desire for cigarettes. 7. Change daily routines that are connected with smoking. Avoid familiar places like a coffee shop, lunch room, local hangout spot that could make you think about smoking. Keep gum by the phone and reach for it rather than a cigarette. 8. Cleanse your body of nicotine. Drink lots of liquid--8 glasses a day of water, or herbal teas, fruit juices, caffeine-free soft drinks, milk, etc. Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, hot chocolate, colas or other sodas that may contain caffeine, which can increase your desire to smoke. 9. Keep your hands and mind busy. Start a knitting project or crossword puzzle that will keep your hands and mind occupied and help you forget your cigarette habit.
There's a national hotline for would-be quitters where a caller can receive friendly advice and encouragement. The number is 1-800-210-KWIT.