Smoking: How Can Something So Bad Be So Good?

Smoking is a pastime enjoyed by over 45 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But that popular pastime also claims more than 400,000 lives every year. It’s a strange paradox. One of the most statistically deadly habits in the world continues to rake in billions of dollars in revenue every year, which raises the question: How can something so bad be so good?

It’s a question that smokers have grappled with for years. Ever since the surgeon general started plastering large, ominous warnings on cigarette packs and anti-smoking groups began investing in cautionary radio and television spots, smokers and anti-smoking advocates alike have puzzled over the cost/benefit relationship of tobacco use.

First, the costs. The CDC reports that for every one of those 400,000 plus deaths each year, another 20 people suffer with some smoking related disease. Additionally, smoking contributes to about $96 billion each year in direct medical costs and is responsible for about 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths in men and 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths in women. Smoking dramatically raises the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive lung disease and a variety of different cancers. As you can see, those unassuming little sticks can pack quite a punch over time.

Beyond the astronomical health risks, smoking in this day and age seems almost like more of a hassle than it’s worth. The average tax for cigarettes nationwide is $1.46 per pack, and some states are considerably higher than the average. New York, for instance, charges a staggering $4.35 per pack, just in tax! Plus, more and more cities and states are placing tight regulations on where you can smoke.

One would think that a rap sheet like that would prompt everyone to stay far away from cigarettes, but that’s just not the case. In America, about 45.3 million people still smoke. That’s 1 out of every 5 people. So there must be something pretty powerful that keeps people coming back for more, time and time again.

The truth of the matter is that, like a lot of things that are bad for us, smoking feels good. A cigarette can help you to relax when you feel stressed, but it can also help to wake you up when you feel lethargic or listless. Nicotine is shown to increase dopamine levels in the brain, and dopamine is responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being. So naturally, when you light up, you feel a rush, a positive energy that can be quite intoxicating.

Those positive sensations occur as nicotine is absorbed into the body, but a cigarette is much, much more than a little nicotine. When you inhale, you’re inhaling heated particulate matter and a smorgasbord of carcinogens and chemicals which include lead, cyanide, formaldehyde and arsenic. No matter how good smoking may feel: quitting is a good idea for all of these reasons and more.

Some smokers are turning to electronic cigarettes to satisfy their cravings. E-cigs look like regular cigarettes and come in a variety of flavors, including traditional tobacco and menthol, but they contain none of the delightful arsenic or formaldehyde because there is no actual smoke. Electronic cigarettes work by heating flavored liquids to create and release a soothing vapor.

Smokeless cigarettes can be loaded with or without nicotine, so for those who just enjoy the social aspect of smoking, electronic cigarettes can be used for the flavor alone, without any of the actual drug. For traditional smokers, electronic cigarettes can serve the purpose of satisfying nicotine cravings without all of the smoke. You can even gradually reduce the nicotine level if you want to try and overcome your nicotine dependence.

If you would like to see what all the buzz is about, or invest in a reusable electronic cigarette of your own, check out AmericaneLiquidStore.com. AmericaneLiquidStore specializes in reusable electronic cigarettes, flavored liquids, custom flavors and e-cig accessories, all at affordable prices. Whether you’re trying to move away from traditional cigarettes or just want to try something new, the American eLiquid Store has something for you.

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