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Stop Smoking Now - It's the worst thing you can do for your Afib and heart health!

Paulbounce profile image
10 Replies

Hi fibbers.

We all know smoking cigarettes is bad for your health - certainly for your heart health and Afib. I'm sure you'll agree. I quit smoking by using a vape which is said to be 95% safer than smoking.

However, I have found a better option which means I can quit vaping - airplane mode patches. They are great and satisfy your nicotine craving. They are made from premium food-grade ingredients and contain nicotine. My go-to are the Lost Mary slim airplane mode patches with 9 mg of nicotine***

Do your research as they are fairly new to market and haven't undergone scrutiny in the same way vaping has. You may decide they are not for you - fair enough. I would recommend them as a good alternative to smoking or vaping. Below is a copy-and-paste from the internet which will kick-start your research.

Paul

***I have no connection or financial interest with Lost Mary. There are many other brands to choose from and they are coming to a supermarket near you soon!

PS Admin - if you think this thread is unsuitable for the forum please take it down. No offence will be taken 👍

...................................................................................

Completely Tobacco Free

Nicotine pouches are commonly confused with Snus pouches.

Snus is the name for small pouches of similar design to nicotine pouches which contain actual moist tobacco leaf.

Nicotine pouches are completely free of any trace of tobacco and only commonly contain a powdered nicotine formula which has flavourings and other key additives needed to make the pouches.

No Harmful Chemicals

Nicotine is not one of the harmful chemicals which is found in cigarettes and nicotine pouches do not contain any of the same harmful chemicals which are found in tobacco or cigarettes.

One of the primary reasons that Snus was banned was due to concerns being raised over the negative health effects they could pose due to containing tobacco as well as carcinogens.

No Risk To Others Around You

Smoking not only harms you, but it can seriously cause harm to others around you through the second-hand smoke they inhale, or passive smoking as it's referred to.

With nicotine pouches, they are completely smokeless, meaning you don't have to be conscious of others around you when using them unlike you would when smoking a cigarette. No inhaling or exhaling is required with nicotine pouches!

Can Nicotine Pouches Help Quit Smoking?

Oral nicotine products such as nicotine pouches can play a pivotal part in your journey to quit smoking and make the process of quitting that little bit easier.

In Sweden, they are big advocates of oral nicotine products as well as e-cigarettes. And it's down to their back and advocacy of alternative forms for nicotine consumption that has led to them being within touching distance of the finish line of becoming a smoke-free country.

To gain this status, the smoking prevalence of adults in the country must be 5% or lower and in their most recent publication, Smoke-Free Sweden announced that smoking prevalence was down to 5.6%.

Aside from the health side of things, using nicotine pouches instead of smoking is considerably cheaper too! The average cost of a can of nicotine pouches is around £5 and you get 20 nic pouches in every can which can last for at least a couple of days even if you're a frequent user.

Compare this to 20 cigarettes which cost upwards of £12 a pack, and can only last for one day if you were a heavy smoker, you're going to be saving a pretty penny by opting to use nicotine pouches to help you quit smoking!

How Nicotine Pouches Can Be A Better Alternative Than Vaping

No Inhaling Required To Preserve Lungs. As vaping mimics the effects of smoking (minus the toxic chemicals) this could be off-putting to some people as they may not want to continue something that requires inhaling. If someone is moving away from smoking, they may want to preserve their lungs and throat and not wish to inhale which rules vaping out.

This is where nicotine pouches can be a good alternative as they require no inhaling and the nicotine is absorbed through the gum.

Can Be Used Anywhere

Smoking has been banned in enclosed public spaces and on public transport for over a decade now, and the same rules apply to vaping and the use of e-cigarettes as well.

As nicotine pouches do not omit any smoke or vapour, there are no restrictions on where you can use them. Meaning if you're on the go a lot, travelling on public transport, or even flying on a plane, you can pop a pouch in at any time to satisfy your cravings for nicotine and nobody will even know you've got one in place!

Prolonged Nicotine Absorption

Whilst the nicotine absorption from vaping is relatively fast, especially if using nicotine salt e-liquids, it won't be long after you've had a vape that those cravings for nicotine will start creeping in and you'll be clutching for your vape again.

With nicotine pouches, they have a prolonged release of nicotine when the pouch is in place between your upper lip and gum, meaning your urges for nicotine will be satisfied for longer periods thanks to the gradual absorption rate. Whether you opt to use an e-cigarette or nicotine pouches as your preferred method of nicotine replacement therapy, you can rest assured that either of these things are considerably better than smoking for you. But there are also certain things to consider when it comes to choosing between the two and what you want to achieve.

Are nicotine pouches one step ahead of e-cigarettes when it comes to alternative nicotine products? I'll let you decide that for yourself!

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Paulbounce
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mjames1 profile image
mjames1

. I quit smoking by using a vape which is said to be 95% safer than smoking....means I can quit vaping - airplane mode patches

Thanks Paul great topic. Stopped 40 years ago tried everything. I highly recommend the "Smoke Enders"program which I think is available in the UK as well as the US.

However, I take exception that vaping and patches containing nicotine are the solution, especially with us a fibbers where nicotine can cause arrhythmias. Regardless of the delivery system.

Jim

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply tomjames1

Sure Jim. Nicotine in any form can increase the HR. I'll check out your recommendation for 'Smoke Enders' program.

I will just say one thing in favour of the airplane mode patches. When you inhale a cigarette the nicotine enters the bloodsteam in 7 seconds - so in 5 minutes you'll get the full hit. The patches last between 30 - 60 minutes so it's a slower release. I checked my HR before using one / during use and when it was finished. My HR was the same - that's not the case if I smoke a fag!

Paul

mjames1 profile image
mjames1 in reply toPaulbounce

I must've stopped 100 times but always went back. Tried everything. For whatever reason I hated the idea of a group program, but joined Smoke Enders out of desperation. They really dig deep into why you smoke and why you're unable to stop in extremely supportive group setting. Bottom line it worked for me. Also, a great overall life experience.

Jim

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply tomjames1

Checked it out - the reviews are very good. Another thing for smokers to consider for sure ;-)

Paul

mjames1 profile image
mjames1 in reply toPaulbounce

Honestly I was shocked that they are still around after 40 years. I think that says something right there.

Jim

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Interesting that anybody still smokes anyway as nobody I know does. I gave up cold turkey from 40 Marlboro a day in October1982 when my dying mother asked me to. She said I stank when I visited her in hospital each evening.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toBobD

My late heavy-smoking parents both gave up cold turkey after decades of trying to stop this way or that way. First my dad, then my mum. Goodness knows how much passive smoking I did in my life, but I never smoked.

As you say, Bob, most people seem to have stopped, with only one friend still using vapes. Despite being slim and otherwise healthy, he found out earlier this year that his asthma had turned to COPD and heart failure on top. He now curses the day he started smoking. It's so sad in one just turned 70, but there we are. I'm going to mention the patches Paul mentions as they are surely healthier than vapes.

Steve

Linley profile image
Linley

Yes, ciggies very bad for you as my neighbour has just found out after smoking for many years she is currently in hospital after suffering a stroke. We are looking after her little dog and he smells of smoke too.

Deadstick profile image
Deadstick in reply toLinley

Smoking is also a major contributing factor to bladder cancer.

Paulbounce profile image
Paulbounce in reply toDeadstick

Hi DeadStick.

Here's a copy-and-paste from AI. It can take time, but the positive results are also seen very quickly. In a month or so, I found my cough improved, and my breathing and shortness of breath were much better.

Paul

Smoking can cause cancer in many parts of the body, including:

Lungs: Smoking is responsible for almost 9 out of every 10 cases of lung cancer.

Mouth, throat, and voice box: The risk of getting cancer in these areas drops by half within 5–10 years of quitting smoking.

Bladder, oesophagus, and kidney: The risk of getting cancer in these areas decreases within 10 years of quitting smoking.

Cervix: The risk of getting cervical cancer drops by about half within 20 years of quitting smoking.

Pancreas: The risk of getting cancer in the pancreas drops to close to that of a non-smoker within 20 years of quitting smoking.

Blood: Smoking can cause acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

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