.... the brain is not a vessel to be filled,
It is something to be IGNITED

BURNING BRAIN NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2005

BURNING BRAIN
Newsletter 1, Volume - II
January 2005

From the Moderator

Dear Members,

The response to BBS e-group has been overwhelming. There are good wishes pouring in from all over the world. We are getting all sort of queries, request for helping people in quitting tobacco; requests for posting some tips. Appeal to help youngsters see the dangers of tobacco traps, advice to move PIL's on the negligence of the Government and unethical actions of "Tobacco Companies," etc.

This reflects the serious concern our members have on the spread of "Tobacco Menace."

While we are trying to do all what we can with our limited [read NO] resources, Tobacco companies are finding newer methods of attracting vulnerable youngsters to the death trap of tobacco. Companies like ITC are marketing greeting cards for the youngsters with the logo of their cigarette brand and opening shops inside universities and schools. They are also reaching inside schools in the guise of conducting so called talent competitions in the name of these tobacco named (death) cards. ITC is also trying to promote another brand of their tobacco product under the guise of garments bearing the name of their cigarette. Similarly Godfrey Phillips (GP) is trying to promote tobacco by organizing evening parties for youngsters, giving bravery awards in the name of their cigarettes, etc. Manikchand is sponsoring film based events to promote their brand of tobacco.

It is high time that we all resolve and do our little bit.
What can we do??

Well, we can stop using anything promoted by ITC (They are also marketing candies and biscuits for children, if they can use their logo on greeting cards for subliminal publicity, who can stop them for doing so on their other products), GP or such other tobacco companies. Boycott their products completely. Boycott the stores who keep tobacco products; do not even visit shops and departmental stores who stock tobacco products or any other seemingly general products marketed by these companies (and let this be known). Protest if your child's School/Institute associates with any such company to organize an activity in their institution. The companies are doing unethical, illegal and immoral promotion of their product to innocent souls who are not even aware of the consequences; the youngsters can not even comprehend the consequences what to say about making an informed choice. It all (using tobacco) seems very glamorous at their age. If we at the least boycott all the products marketed by any and every tobacco companies and also the stores who sell their products, we can at least send a strong message and save many people from dying untimely death. It will also send a strong message to these unethical tobacco companies.

Those of you who are associated with the practice of law must make the lives of such unethical tobacco companies miserable. Point out every infringement of law and seek legal redress. It is relatively simple for our friends in the legal profession. Friends from the media must point out these things through their mass media tools.

I am sure everyone of us shall be more vigilant from now on and do our bit. Together, we will make a difference.

Thanking you,
yours from the heart

Hemant Goswami
Chairperson, Burning Brain Society

How to Quit Tobacco
Some TIPS

How to QUIT TOBACCO? It remains the number one problem for all tobacco users. What was started "Just for FUN" has become a blood sucking addiction and a shameful habit.

There are a lot of medicines and therapies but none would be successful if you do not have the will to quit. If we are to believe the statements of the chief's of the seven largest tobacco companies, who in 1999, on oath said that 'Tobacco is not addictive;" it will put the complete onus of quitting tobacco on yourself. Though it will be too naive to believe such a statement.

Some opinionate that quitting tobacco is as simple (or as difficult) as quitting any other habit like drinking morning tea, eating sweets, fried foods, etc. Discontinuing anything which you have been doing since long require efforts. It may or may not be addictive, but breaking a routine is the first step in breaking a habit. If it happens to be an addictive product, it may become a little more difficult. But remember it takes just 72 hours to get out of the addictive trap of nicotine and after that it is just a question of not getting tempted again and falling into the death-trap once again, plainly speaking, after 72 hours, it is just breaking the habit/routine.

As there are five steps to addiction (You took time to get hooked; from the first harmless looking puff to packs of cigarette), similarly there are five initial steps to quitting. But remember, the starting point is "YOUR SINCERE WILL TO QUIT."

STEP 1 :- QUIT NOW: Don't fool yourself by saying that you are reducing and are now smoking just 1/2 sticks a day. If you have to quit, you have to quit all together. It has been seen that reducing is not a step to ceasing to smoke. Throw the pack in your hand and declare "I QUIT NOW." Keep the promise you make to yourself.

STEP 2 :- FIGHT THE URGE TO SMOKE FOR THE FIRST 72 HOURS: If you can do this, half of the job is done. The withdrawal symptoms are at their peak during the first 72 hours. Besides the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine addiction, you also have to fight the habit of holding a stick on certain occasions and lighting it. Many thoughts were previously covered by the act of lighting tobacco stick, it was many times used as a decision stalling tool/tactic or even as to hide nervousness. Understand this and resist the urge to use cigarette as a tool of such thoughts. There shall also be a lot of spare time available now (which was spent earlier by smoking a cigarette). This can, and will, give you a feeling of emptiness and uneasiness. You have to handle it too. How?

STEP 3 :- FILL THE TIME GAP: You are going to get the urge to do something in the now available spare times or on moments when you used to light a stick. Simply plan an alternate activity (Suggestion: you can spend a little more time with your children; spend some extra time on the net surfing about your hobby related stuff). You can also use any chewing gum or your favorite sweet, take out a gum stick and chew if you ever get an urge to smoke. Keep them in stock as you used to keep cigarettes. Break your routine and do the things according to a new routine. Try different flavors of chewing gum, drink fruit juices/newer variety of tea/coffee or simply keep some dry, non-fatty snacks for munching.

The urge to smoke/consume tobacco after having your food should be countered by eating something else, which you like. You can also plan an activity immediately after taking your meals so that you are not left with any spare time at that moment. This initial urge to consume tobacco after meals will fade within 15 days. It is more of a habit.

Consuming tobacco is also related by many with pleasure; this is solely because when we are participating in pleasure activities or enjoying something, normally at such times we have ample of time in hand and most of us often indulge in some secondary activity too. This secondary activity is then labeled and registered in our mind as a pleasure giving activity whereas it is not. Now if you are aware of it, do not fall into this trap and if you must indulge in any alternate secondary activity, develop a new one.

STEP 4 :- THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS: Avoid moving with your friends (who smoke) at such times when they usually light cigarettes, like at lunch hours, tea breaks, etc. Don't take offense when someone makes fun of you for not smoking. Don't get instigated. It is tough and you may be labeled a hypocrite but do not allow anyone to smoke in your office/home/car and in your presence. Learn to take a stand. IT HELPS. If anyone offers you a cigarette, refuse politely but firmly. If the other person insists, take a stick,  break it into pieces and throw into the bin, the act will make a strong statement and also ensure that you are not offered cigarette again. May sound harsh and impolite, but then easy ways often fail.

STEP 5 :- NOT EVEN A PUFF: At no stage get instigated or break your resolve.  A single puff can do irreversible damage. Behave like a normal non-smoker and a misocapnic (a person who hates tobacco smoke). Don't let trivial comments bother you. Lot of them will come. Become a part of anti-tobacco campaign and see that other youngsters do not get into the tobacco trap. Be committed to the issue and share your mistakes with others. Tell them how easy it was to get in and how difficult to come out. And yes get a general overall medical checkup done to make sure you came out at the right time.

CONTINUE YOUR RESOLVE AND HELP OTHERS QUIT.

You can also buy some god books on quitting tobacco, seek help of your Physician, "Tobacco Cessation Clinics" in all major hospitals, get tones of resources from the "Internet." Subscribe to on-line "Tobacco Quitting" courses offered by many portals on the Internet; or simply, you can throw the packet in your pocket/table and resolve, "I will never touch a cigarette/tobacco pouch again." It is as simple and as difficult as you may believe and make it.

Your thinking about quitting has already initiated the process.

Regards

Hemant Goswami
for Burning Brain Society

P.S: As long as the credit statement mentions the author and the organization, you are free to reproduce this in any newspaper/magazine, newsletter or/and circulate among people who are likely to be benefited.

Support Burning Brain

Friends,

We also conduct workshops/seminars and sensitizing drives for young people, mostly for school and college students. Since about 80% of the tobacco users start by the age of 18 so sensitizing them at the right age can stop them from falling into the "Tobacco Trap" and also creates a positive pressure group in the society against the use of tobacco. All our activities were conducted on "Free of Cost" basis till now. But, since we do not have any financial support from any quarter so continuing them is becoming very difficult.

Our cost is upward of Rs. 45/- for every youngster sensitized. For an activity involving 200 students the cost is approximately Rs. 9000/- In case your company/organization would like to support us, you can sponsor our seminars/workshops. You will get all the commercial mileage which you hope to get when you go through an event management company to promote your organization. While your organization benefits by making a contact with youngsters and their family, it will also help your community, society, country and the world to become a better place to live.

You can support as many activity as you want, we plan around 100 such drives this year. Help us meet our target. Get in touch at society@burning brain.org

Regards
H.G.

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