Video transcript
Let’s Look at the facts… only in the 3rd age, after the age of 65 smokers turn to kick out the killing habit. You see, the only reason for over 50% quitting rate in the third age, is because in that age the diseases caused by smoking are already in advance stage. And the fear of dying is grater then the fear to quit.
As an expert, I expected to see a declining trend in the age group between 45-64. Because at that age, smoking related diseases usually take place. As a matter of fact, the survey published in March 2018 by the foundation for a smoke free world, shows that 30% of American smokers use NRT and medications to help them kick the killing addiction. However, the statistics for 2018, do not show any success with this method for smokers between 18-64.
So, lets jump right in to see why most likely, the average smoker is going to fail with the program offered by the government.
In the first stage the smoker has to choose a quitting day. But, to quit smoking is like going to fight a war against cigarettes and tobacco, right? But, how can someone ask a soldier to join the war without first identifying who is the enemy and building a winning strategy? Because we know, that after 4 days the amount of Nicotine in the blood is not relevant to maintain the physical addiction to Nicotine. So, what left is the emotional addiction and the habit of smoking throughout the day.
The # 1 reason why smokers having hard time to make a decision to quit, is because they fear from weaning and becoming free of nicotine. They think that something bad is going to happen. That they are going to be depresses, gain weight and be in a bad mood all the time. Because of the fear they hold, they think they are going to slip back to the addiction. In addition to that, smokers have habitual behavior to postpone quitting time. Therefore, telling smokers to choose their quitting day in the beginning, would make them postponed it even farther.
In step # 2 the smoker writes down his reasons for quitting. And the list should serv as a reminder in the time when craving accrue. Great step, but the motivation to quit was established because of those reasons, to begin with. The average smoker above the age of 40 already understand the consequences of smoking, before he made a decision to quit and turns to seek help.
In step #3 the smoker has to identify his smoking triggers. And what are the suggested ways smokers should take to control them? The experts offer to completely avoid those triggers. As a matter of fact, this step is a setup for the next relapse. Actually, smokers that quit and return to the addiction can testify that one of the emotional or social triggers caused them to have one cigarette and many more after.
There are 2 reasons for that: 1. It is almost impossible to avoid living life. Feeling down, stressed and lonely are also part of life for many smokers. And to have a fight with a spouse, a co-worker, or even with a friend is not something we can avoid all the time. Not to mention going to bars or to social events with friends, are excellent reasons to lite only 1 cigarette.
Reason # 2. There is no information presented to smokers about the involvement of dopamine in the addiction to nicotine and in the fear of quitting.
As you can see, hi dopamine level was measured not only in addiction to nicotine, morphine, heroine and amphetamine, but also after eating tasty food and after having sex. It means, the addiction is to the positive mental feeling of high level of dopamine. As you now understand, high level of dopamine holds the smoker hostage and addicted to the substance that causes hi level of dopamine, like nicotine, heroin amthamine, and tasty food. Or to the behavior that raises dopamine, like watching porno, gambling or going on a daily shopping. Therefore, the true addiction is not addressed. Smokers wrongly think that they are addicted to nicotine and to the habit of smoking in trigger times.
But, if we look at those trigger times, we can find them suitable for raising dopamine level. That is to feel more relaxed, focused, confidant and overall good sensation. Even though, in reality, the smoker’s life is a mess.
In step #4 the smoker prepares to fight cravings. And how experts suggest to fight them? With will power, of course. That’s the only weapon the smoker has to fight for his health and life. But the fact is, that one day the desire to smoke only 1 cigarette was stronger than not to light it.
You see, if a smoker fights craving coming from his mind, it simply means he’s fighting himself. But, how can someone fight himself without knowing from where in the mind the cravings are coming and why they are coming especially in trigger times. Without knowing this, the smoker sets himself for a relapse.
In step #5 the smoker has to get rid of all smoking reminders. However, smokers didn’t learn how to deal and get rid of mental reminders. As they are going to appear especially during trigger times. Smokers do not know how to overcome them successfully without stress, anxiety and being moody. Most relapses accrue when smokers fight the reminders with will power and fail to deal with them.
In step #6 the smoker supposed to quit. At this point, to make quitting easier, the experts suggest to seek help. However, the latest research shows that professional consultation, NRT and prescription drugs combined together can help only 8 out of 100 to stay nonsmokers for 1 year.
Needless to say, that in case of smoking disease, after 1 year the ex-smoker is considered to be healed. But, no one check how many ex-smokers experience a relapse after more than a year, from time of quitting.
In the 7 step the smoker should announce to his family and friends about his decision to quit, and ask for their support. Great, but many smokers already did it a few times in the past, when they tried on their own. And this time they might be embarrassed to repeat this foolish announcement.
That is because once and again, the smoker starts a quitting program without knowing against whom he’s going to fight, without a strategy to win the war and without proper tools to achieve his goal to become a smoke free person. And because of that, the smoker is still fear to quit and believes he’s going to fail this time too.
I want to conclude this video with the following facts. Over 70% of adult smokers want to quit. Over 60% of American smokers will try to quit on their own. According to the survey that was done in in march 2018 by the foundation for a smoke free world, 30% will use NRT and medication. If there was any measurable success with this method, we should see a reflection of it, right? But, there isn’t.
Not just that, but also smokers tend not to use the consulting help offered free of charge. Every state has a free tobacco quit-line. In Michigan there are 1.5 million smokers. During period of 6 months, only about 25 hundred smokers call the toll-free help number. That’s only about 5,000 smokers a year. Which are only a third of 1% of smokers in Michigan.
This shows that even the broad advertising and tons on money spent on giving free medication, NRT and professional consultation, the results are not to be proud of. And in the case of smoke cessation, is the WHO walking naked among blindfolded smokers?
Hi, my name is Yair Reuven, I’m an ex-smoker and an Israeli social innovator in the field of addictions. In a moment you will see on the screen a link to a video where I present myself and my study that helped a few dozen Israeli smokers to wean themselves from smoking.
I think you will be very surprise to see what I’m going to show you.