Smoking

Tobacco smoking is the act of burning the dried or cured leaves of the tobacco plant and inhaling the smoke for pleasure or ritualistic purposes, for self-medication, or out of habit and to satisfy addiction. The practice was common among Native Americans throughout North and South America, and was later introduced to the rest of the world via trade following European exploration of the Americas.

Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, an addictive stimulant which temporarily improves alertness, memory, and mood, but also forms a strong physical and psychological chemical dependence. Nicotine, like any stimulant, can also increase anxiety, restlessness, and disturb metabolism. Medical research has determined that tobacco smoking is a major contributing factor towards many health problems, particularly lung cancer, emphysema, and cardiovascular disease. Many countries regulate or restrict tobacco sales and advertising and require warnings to be placed prominently on the product packaging. Many governments now restrict or ban smoking in a variety of public venues.

...More at Wikipedia

Related Links:

• Nicotine Anonymous
• Mayo Clinic

Recent Hope Cube Blog Entries For Smoking

• Caught! Shit! Wed, March 26, 2008 - [view]
  I smoked today and I feel like people are watching me like I am too young to do it. I know this because one of my professors told me. She said I am too young to smoke. I didn't feel like arguing on such a depressing day, so I did not bother defending myself. Though I must say I don't recall saying something other than "No I'm not". I don't think I looked at her face. It was too bright out and I don't know why but I think it is very ironic that she was wearing blue. 
• 11th day withouth ^^ Fri, February 22, 2008 - [view]
  Seriolsly Allen Kar is a genious, at least about smoking (the book about loosing weight was a pile of bullshit and it's not just my opinion). Even at the early stages my max was 3 days. In that stage less than 24 hours. But he accualy made my mind different about it. I'm not going perfectly by the plan, it's still hard but it's amazing enough for me. I just want to get out of this totally because then maybe i will feel different about other stuff too like food and everything but I will never never fall in this again. I caughed like crazy last few months and even quit a job because it started to get hard and all the money i've been waisting...Seriosly one of the motivations is that now I can get myself an Ice Cofee whenever I want and don't feel guilty about ...
• This is me! Sun, October 21, 2007 - [view]
  Well to tell you guys the truth i been through alot, is very hard for me to open up to people. Is ok, i fell alot better now, thanks for some ppl on this site, i finally understood what my problem was and how i can manage it. I still got to work on in from time to time, believe me!! i attack myselft alot and lately i been hearing some good advices that have help me out alot!!