WebMistress: I am a HUGE fan of aromatherapy--lavender to calm, lemon or eucalyptus to invigorate, etc... I have a friend who plays with essential oils like she's messing with a chemistry set. Aaaaah, and rose scented sachets for the undies drawer! I do not advocate heavy scents, but natural, pleasing scents to permeate whatever living space you have. I will undoubtedly elaborate here at length at a future date. However, for now, I will make a suggestion: The natural TOBACCO scent is very calming and soothing. Therefore, although I advise caution in the consumption of soy, especially for women, I do highly recommend Tobacco scented candles from It's a Soy Candle.

With growing numbers of antismoking venues, many people who smoke find alternate venues for socializing, dining and so forth. There is an economic caution: When we vote with our feet and wallets, we can inflict economic hardship but we have no desire to hurt those who have fought to keep the hospitality industry hospitable. The fact is that, when we eat at home, it kills the tills for hospitality. (Thanks, glister for putting it so succinctly!) Unfortunately, when the weather turns harsh, we have much less tendency to support even those friendly establishments other than with take-out orders. One suggestion for developing social circles is to begin a series of themed dinners among friends (Thanks linda duguay!), which can incorporate large take-out orders from those establishments we wish to patronize.

WebMistress: I have personally noticed that many restaurants that become antismoking tend to decrease in food quality and service. As it happens, I have come across some articles substantiating that observation. One local restaurant became downright hostile toward people who smoke, even though it also generated revenue from a bar! Interestingly, when I stopped frequenting that restaurant, my "bad" cholesterol plummeted. The result of these antismoking laws seems to be improved financial and physical health for patrons, but not quite the way that antismokers would have us believe!

Exercise needn't be a chore. Some of the best exercises are quite enjoyable. For example, swimming works all of your muscles in a relatively safe environment--just don't drown! Hot tubs are terrific for circulation and even lowering cholesterol. Walking, one of my favorite pastimes, is fabulous exercise--however, be sure to protect your joints if you choose to jog or run. Yoga is an excellent for both meditation and the asanas. Namaste!

The terrific thing about walking and yoga for people who smoke is that they encourage one to concentrate on breathing--and you will be surprised at how freely you can breath regardless of how many people might have told you that you can't! Exercises that involve breathing concentration and conscious relaxation also tend to have a calming effect, resulting in less "nervous smoking". Just run to your favorite discount store and buy a beginner's kit for yoga--and pick-up some relaxing candles, pretty/comfy clothes and maybe a few cat toys while you're at it! And dance, learn to dance.

Also notice that these exercises having different breathing patterns. With yoga, your breathing is relaxed and purposeful. With walking, you tend to start that "joggers' pant." Whereas pilates has the forceful exhale when you breath and exercise. By doing these different types of activites, you are truly controlling and appreciating your breathing. Never believe that you must be out of shape just because you smoke!

The immediate concerns of cancer are, of course, causes and cures. The causes are probably not what you first suspect, and the most effective treatments might also hold some pleasant surprises for you. Remember the Smokers' Paradoxes.

Before anyone gets too excited about all of this, a few words about the nature of this topic and this site need to be made VERY CLEAR. If you will notice, this is not a pro-smoking website. This is a pro-smoker and pro-nonsmoker website. Most smokers are loath to admit the reality of very positive health research for fear of being cast into the realm of mere rationalization with disdain. In fact, the people who are most vocally opposed to smoking bans are nonsmokers; whereas people who smoke are generally quicker to make excuses for smoking bans for fear that they will appear inconsiderate or uppity. Too many loved ones have died of cancer while smokers have pretty much gone untouched by The Big C. My heart cries when I see that I am not alone; in fact, I am lost in the crowd of people with the same experience despite statistics that are supposed to tell us the opposite. (One antismoker told me that my family wasn't "real life." Evidently, he thought we were all a bunch of cartoons. I knew my mother was related to Bugs Bunny but I could never prove it until now...thanks to medical science.) It's high time we took a closer look at those statistics, among other things. This website is devoted to encouraging empowerment and good health in a more honest fashion. It's time to banish the Witch Doctor Effect and Mass Psycho-genic Illness bred by antismoking.

Thanks to too many people! Big thanks.

We often hear that secondhand smoke (environmental tobacco smoke) is a trigger for asthma attacks. However, these accusations seem to be more of a result from the nocebo effect and mass psycho-genic illness than reality-based. In fact, not so long ago, doctors prescribed smoking to their asthma patients! Look at what happened to Whitby. So, what is the real scoop on asthma?

Webmistress: As I do not have asthma, I would be terribly incompetent to elaborate on the matter. However, as they say, a wise man doesn't necessarily know the answers but he knows where to find them. Therefore, I have asked a friend to help with this piece. Please see A Few Words About Asthma.
Thanks Jalestra!

• Vitamins and Supplements - Notice that these are good general suggestions, although I specifically mention them in relation to smoking.
  • Rumor has it that smoking eats-up your antioxidants, especially vitamin C. The usual daily dosage that I hear is 1000 mg vitamin C, but more is acceptable although too much can cause tummy-aches. Some say that C with acerola is best but I tend to go with Ester C for slow release. Other antioxidants include grape seed extracts, selenium, vitamin A and vitamin E. Be careful with vitamin A because it can reach toxic levels. I personally use it sparingly, only on occasion with my daily vitamin regimen. Selenium is something else that is only required in very small amounts-and I've noticed that selenium seems to have a strong after-taste, i.e. can cause burps.
  • As mentioned above, vitamin E is important. It helps as an antioxidant and reduces scarring. (E will also help reduce wrinkles and bruising, while improving skin texture and sexual stamina.) Recommended dosage: 800 d-alpha tocopheryl. You can find dh-alpha on store shelves but avoid it as it is not the best and could possibly cause more harm than good.
  • Coconut oil. Surprised? Coconut oil kills bad bacteria in our bodies while letting the good bacteria go about its business. Coconut oil is a very powerful antioxidant. Recommended dosage: 2 Tblsps of unrefined coconut oil (best on an empty stomach) daily.
  • Olive Oil. Best if it's the pure virgin variety. Helps boost "good" cholesterol (internally) and enhances skin (topically). [Two notes on external use: (1) Some even say that this is good for certain adult activities. (2) Good for sun protection and reports are that commercial sunscreens are actually carcinogenic. I also recommend Aloe for topical application.] Although the recommended dosage is only 1 tsp per day, virgin olive oil is excellent for food preparation. Serving suggestions: salads, bread spread, almost anything that requires oil.
  • Fish Oil. Ah, yes, those omega-3 fatty acids good for leveling cholesterol levels. Supposedly, salmon oil is best. Take with food to avoid "fishy burps." Your immune system will thank you, too.
  • CoQ10. I strongly recommend coenzyme Q10 for its cancer-fighting properties and energy-enhancing effects! However, I also recommend that you determine that best dosage for you.
• Organic Living and Diet
• Suggestions for People Who Have Decided to Start Not Smoking
  Of course there are good and healthy ways to do this! And stop calling yourself a quitter! You've embarked on a new way of life. Sure, the American Cancer Society will tell you how good you feel--but that might not be what you're feeling right now. Withdrawal is tough physically and mentally--and stop blaming nicotine. (WebMistress: One of my uncles said that he didn't notice feeling better so much as the money he saved!) You might not find anything right now that would be quite as satisfying as a smoke, but that's for "right now" and this is a good time to spoil yourself. LOL, just tell people you've made a huge lifestyle change and you're not in the mood for taking their guff! Then, go get some ice cream and chocolate. When all is said and done, you can still leave the ashtrays out for good friends, although that doesn't mean you have to let them smoke in your kitchen.

  See Catweazel's Wise Words to the left!

• Survival Pack for People Who Smoke - In today's society, smoking often leads to outdoor situations (for both smokers and nonsmokers) and a survival pack of sorts is handy. Most of these things are small and can be carried in a small purse or pocket. Thanks to tnsmoker for the suggestion of putting this here!
  • Mini-umbrella--big enough for two because you never know who you'll meet out there!
  • Reading material or crossword puzzle(s) for those quiet moments
  • Lip salve--Frequently going from indoor climate to outdoor climate can result in chapped lips. Besides, again, you never know who you'll meet.
  • Portable ashtray--See Etiquette
  • Small mirror and/or vanity items in the event of smirting.
• Good Sources - These are good sources but, of course, none are perfect. Most are large and fairly well-known.
  • Mercola, some antismoking tendencies even to the point of not making sense but also has Which is Worse, Obesity or Smoking? as well as great supplements and products to detoxify your life, such as cast iron, enamel cookware. Other products are good for improving your physical health, such as eyesight.
  • Weston A Price Foundation for Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts. No product sales, but it has tons of information and offers a journal as well as a conference. If you search, you can find links to products available elsewhere, such as Real, Raw Milk
  • NewsTarget