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Experts urging smokers to replace cigs with exercise

7:19pm Thursday 3rd April 2008

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EXPERTS are urging smokers to replace cigarettes with exercise in a bid to help them stub out the habit.

Research has revealed physical exertion can help reduce nicotine cravings - a theory backed by local experts.

Adrian Butterworth, manager of Bolton's Stop Smoking Service, said: "Exercise has long been known to reduce cravings in a person quitting smoking because moderate exercise causes the release of the same chemicals in the brain that nicotine does.

"It can help alleviate withdrawal symptoms.

"A small increase in the amount of extra exercise will also help in keeping any weight gain after quitting to a minimum.

"We at Bolton Stop Smoking Service have been advocating this for a number of years and have joined up with a number of local gyms to offer taster sessions free of charge to all quitters attending the service."

The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Toronto in Canada and was revealed at the British Psychology Society's annual meeting in Dublin.

Experts studied a group of 20 smokers who were assessed after taking part in exercise and then asked to fill in questionnaires which rated their level of cravings.

All smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day and the study found that 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity reduced cravings for at least 20 minutes.

Filippe Scerbo, one of the study leaders, said: "This could be enough to get you over the hump. All smokers could help calm cravings for a cigarette by simply taking regular brisk walks whenever they feel the urge to smoke."

In Bolton the number of smokers has fallen.

Almost 30 per cent of people in the borough smoked in 2001 but a health study carried out last year revealed that number had fallen to 23 per cent.

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Your Say YourThe Bolton News

chas, suffolk says...
7:27pm Thu 3 Apr 08

You don't need to go to a gym to exercise. A good walk is the best form of exercise.

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chas, suffolk says...
7:53pm Thu 3 Apr 08

All smoked 10 or more cigarettes a day and the study found that 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity reduced cravings for at least 20 minutes
That's only one cigarette every 30 to 35 minutes. Allowing for 8 hours sleep, that a maximum of only 32 per day.

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Sun Tzu, says...
8:07pm Thu 3 Apr 08

Why don't they hook up all those gym machines to generators and put all that wasted energy to some use.

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spice, bolton says...
8:37pm Thu 3 Apr 08

Can you just picture it town centre.packed with shoppers,some bloke fancys a cig,oh got to replace it with excercise,does twenty press ups on the pavement.his partner,runs up and down the town hall steps for ten minutes,then both run on the spot.everyone who feels like a smoke does the same.haha.still I suppose its better for you than smoking.

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chas, suffolk says...
8:39pm Thu 3 Apr 08

spice
I bet they need a fag afterwards, just to relax.

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Sun Tzu, says...
8:49pm Thu 3 Apr 08

So you give up smoking, which you enjoy and as a result you live a few years longer.
You spend your extra years exercising in a gym, which is a chore and you hate it.

Go figure.


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chas, suffolk says...
8:56pm Thu 3 Apr 08

Sun
I heard the other day that a single person dies about 9 years earlier than a married person, the same as a smoker. What's worse, being married or smoking?

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Sun Tzu, says...
9:02pm Thu 3 Apr 08

Chas - Married men don't live longer, it just seems like it.

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chas, suffolk says...
9:10pm Thu 3 Apr 08

Sun
I like it. I'm worried, as I smoke and am single, so expect to die 18 years earlier.

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spice, bolton says...
10:01pm Thu 3 Apr 08

Sun and Chas,stop worrying.you could go out tommorow and get run over.you sound like two batchelors.so with no trouble n strife you have only yourselves to look after,which Im sure will probably add a few more years to you both.

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chip pan head, Bolton says...
10:20pm Thu 3 Apr 08

Sun - I am still keen to be your evil henchman - do you have a vacancy for which I could apply?

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chas, suffolk says...
10:21pm Thu 3 Apr 08

spice
Not a batchelor. Divorced twenty times. All that exercise, running after wives has left me exhausted and skint?

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Lord Lucan, Somewhere says...
10:48pm Thu 3 Apr 08

in reality we each have to die of something and there are mainly two choices: 1) heart attack or 2) cancer. Far better to go with the first one as its quick. This means that a high salt and fat diet should be persued: ideally a donner kebab every night

secondly, whilst life expectancy has increased - the average HEALTHY lifespan has not. It is stuck at around 67 years. This means that you should aim to live no longer than 67 years and therefore need two donner kebabs a night

If you prefer the second cause of death then 40 a day should do it.

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OldBoltonian, says...
7:16am Fri 4 Apr 08

Hey Spicy - I hope you're a non-smoker. I like plenty of exercise (oooh err!) as it helps offset the effscts of all that champagne....

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Lollipop, Muddy Duct says...
8:39am Fri 4 Apr 08

I swapped cigs for the gym 19 months ago and so far I havent looked back. This is the longest period I've gone without an Asthma attack.
Feels good to be able to play outdoors with the kids and all.

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OldBoltonian, says...
8:53am Fri 4 Apr 08

Well done Lolli. If only the rest of the smoking population had your will power. Always easier for them to blame someone else though eh?

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
9:04am Fri 4 Apr 08

OldBoltonian wrote:
Well done Lolli. If only the rest of the smoking population had your will power. Always easier for them to blame someone else though eh?
Have you ever thought some people might enjoy it, and don't want to give up. Once they start on booze, you can be branded weak, unless you give it up.

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spice, bolton says...
9:09am Fri 4 Apr 08

Good morning to you OB,yes I'm a non smoker,but only by accident,I had a ciggy when I fifteen still at school trying to show off,took a drag of it ,swallowed all the smoke,and threw up everywhere,I've never had another one since,I'm happy to say it put me off for life,if Id managed it properly who knows?as for the champagne,not being used to it I dont think I could tell one from the other,the last time I had a glass it tasted like vinegar,maybe it was a cheaper one.I bo get plenty of excercise,but only walking not at the gym.used to go but found it very boring,and as I'm not overweight don't feel the need.

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spice, bolton says...
9:14am Fri 4 Apr 08

Well done Lolly,not being a smoker I dont know how hard it is to give up ,but I have plenty of friends who have found it hard even impossible.

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
9:17am Fri 4 Apr 08

spice wrote:
Well done Lolly,not being a smoker I dont know how hard it is to give up ,but I have plenty of friends who have found it hard even impossible.
Spice I respect people who have given up for their own reasons. I don't respect those who thought, right the govt is telling me, so I'd better stop. These people I find pathetic.

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gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
9:29am Fri 4 Apr 08

Boris, it's bad for you, you'd better stop. How will this forum operate when you pass away 9 years prematurely???

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spice, bolton says...
9:29am Fri 4 Apr 08

Indeed Boris Ive never smoked but I dont begruge anyone who does,it should be their own choice and not the goverments,each to his own.

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gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
9:30am Fri 4 Apr 08

Hey, if this marriage thing is true then African males must live forever with the amount of wives they are allowed.

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
9:34am Fri 4 Apr 08

gazz_ball - Supera Moras! wrote:
Boris, it's bad for you, you'd better stop. How will this forum operate when you pass away 9 years prematurely???
I might go early Gazz. The strange thing is, all the obese people will go first, some of them ironically ex smokers.

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chas, suffolk says...
9:44am Fri 4 Apr 08

spice
That's my chances gone. I'm a smoker, so I suppose a mixed marriage is out of the question?

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
10:21am Fri 4 Apr 08

chas

I pulled Rugrat up on a spelling mistake on the bus thread, it's now closed.

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chas, suffolk says...
10:26am Fri 4 Apr 08

boris
You ought to know better. I saw that Andrew has given us a list of what we are allowed to comment on. So I'm not going to comment on this story?

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OldBoltonian, says...
12:27pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Ah Spicy - glad to hear you have kept off the evil foul smelling weed. Unlike many others, my main objection to smoking is not its effect on health; taking that path would be health fascism gone bananas; no, it's because I've always hated the stench, the taste, the nauseating choking effects of having to breathe second hand smoke etc etc - in other words, I just find it offensive per se . As far as I'm concerned it's no different from sitting next to someone and farting in their face (in fact much worse - at least farting is natural!) Waht really gets me riled is the sad old arguement so regularly trotted out that smokers have a right to smoke; yes they do, I don't argue with that, but I have a right not to be affected by their filthy foul poisonous noxious fumes ash and chemical stew. And the lingering stench on my clothes, the horrible aftertaste when I'm trying to eat, etc etc - Added to which I do think smokers look stupid with a burning stick hanging out of their mouths as an all too visible sign of their submission to a drug (albeit legal). I don't go around with a champagne bottle stuck to my lips, now, do I?

I suspect I've said enough!

PS You must have had a bottle of cheap rubbish - you know where to come for the good stuff.


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OldBoltonian, says...
12:29pm Fri 4 Apr 08

argument

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chas, suffolk says...
12:58pm Fri 4 Apr 08

OB
Did you know that alcohol is a far more dangerous drug and that passive drinking is far more dangerous than passive smoking? Did you also realise that some people do not like the stench of alcohol coming from a drinkers mouth?

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gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
1:16pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Now chas, someone's breath does not carry as far as someones smoke does it. Also alcohol only effects the person drinking it, not everyone in the room.

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
1:23pm Fri 4 Apr 08

I don't know what OB is talking about. We have a smoking ban, he will not be exposed to smoke, these latest measures are not about passive smoking, they are measures to tell people to quit.

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Eve, Bolton says...
1:37pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Will people who had a 'fag break' at work now able to nip out for a quick 'jog break' instead?

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chas, suffolk says...
1:38pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Gazz
You have worked on the doors. You must have seen what happens to those around drinkers. Smoking makes one passive, whereas alcohol makes one agressive.

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spice, bolton says...
2:00pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Just got in from work,heck OB,you are on your soap box today arnt you,although I must admitt I hated the smell of smoke on my clothes after a night out,much better now,about that champagne do you drink it all the time or only on special occasions apart from getting wrecked on it ,it must hit you in the wallet I would think,still each to his own.I'm just partial to a couple of Bailys with ice,not got very expensive tastes.

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gazz_ball - Supera Moras!, bolton says...
2:09pm Fri 4 Apr 08

chas wrote:
Gazz You have worked on the doors. You must have seen what happens to those around drinkers. Smoking makes one passive, whereas alcohol makes one agressive.
Alcohol does not make everybody aggressive though does it?
Smoking effects everyone close by.

Next comparrison.

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chas, suffolk says...
2:17pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Gazz
Driving after a few pints over driving after a few fags, Just for one. What ever is said about tobacco can be said against alcohol. The difference is that fumes from cigarettes are visible, but fumes from alcohol are invisible.

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OldBoltonian, says...
2:33pm Fri 4 Apr 08

This is getting silly. For goodness sake, there is NO comparison between alcohol and smoking. Of course alcolhol in extremis is bad; you can't compare a pint with a pack of fags though. Focus on the issue, not some attempted diversion.

Spicy - champagne for special occasions only of course. I can stretch to buying the odd Baileys too though....

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chas, suffolk says...
2:50pm Fri 4 Apr 08

foul smelling
effect on health
stench, the taste, the nauseating choking effects of having to breathe
I just find it offensive
it's no different from sitting next to someone and farting in their face (
affected by their filthy foul poisonous noxious fumes
These could be the comments from somebody who hates alcohol.

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OldBoltonian, says...
2:55pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Chas - don't be an Andrew protege - you know very well ONE fag will reek out an entire train carriage, whereas ONE pint/glass of champers won't will it? And how many people go through the day drinking 40 pints eh? Compared to the mutitude of weak-willed heavy smokers. Don't spoil a debate by hyperbole please; it's beneath you.

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chas, suffolk says...
3:26pm Fri 4 Apr 08

OB
Did you know that carcinogens are the major cause of lung cancer and that one measure of alcohol contains over 2,000 more carcinogens than one cigarette? I am not trying to be an Andrew. As boris said earlier some people enjoy smoking and the same goes for alcohol. We all know the dangers of both and we don't want to be stopped from doing things that are legal.

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OldBoltonian, says...
3:59pm Fri 4 Apr 08

There you go again harping on about the dangers. I am talking about the undeniable anti-social aspects of smoking - its immediate by-product of dirty foul smelling choking smoke and ash. Nothing to do with health, for the last time!!! It just stinks and it's foul. Now what is your view on why I should have to put up with you standing next to me blowing that shiiit in my face? That's the debate I want to have please. Sheesh.

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
4:04pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Now what is your view on why I should have to put up with you standing next to me blowing that shiiit in my face? That's the debate I want to have please. Sheesh.


Ignorant.

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spice, bolton says...
4:07pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Just a thought OB,would you feel the same if it was someone,stood at the side of you who was rat legged,and started to throw up all over your shoes,to me thats worse than someone having a ciggy,

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
4:11pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Spice

OB is stirring, the article is not about passive smoking. The article is about further measures to help people quit. He knows full well he is protected from smoke.

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chas, suffolk says...
4:18pm Fri 4 Apr 08

It looks like OB is the one doing an Andrew? As I say, some enjoy smoking and some enjoy drinking. Some even enjoy both. Both have dangers.

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OldBoltonian, says...
4:23pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Hyperbole or what! How does ONE cigarette equate to someone throwing up all over you? ONE fag produces a cloud of noxious foul smelling filth. One beer doesn't. Peopel who have a drink don't always end up vomiting all over the place you know. Whereas ANYONE having JUST ONE fag causes an offensive stink in an enclosed space. Smoke all you want to, please; but not where it affects me. Now that Boris is not exaggeration is it? I'm not "stirring", I'm expressing a widely-held and legitimate view that smoking is a dirty anti-social and offensive activity. By ignoring that viewpoint, you give the impression that you don't really care whether your smoke is painful, offensive, upsetting or nauseating to other people; and that is the kind of self-centred ignorance that gets people upset over the issue. NOTHING to do with health, again. And come on Spicy, leaping to the defence of polluters - really!

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chas, suffolk says...
4:31pm Fri 4 Apr 08

OB
As I said before, an anti-drinker could have said more or less the same.

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spice, bolton says...
4:37pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Not leaping to the defence of polluters OB.just testing you out,I dont seem to go where there are smokers now since the ban came in,I agree with you on all the points that you are making.but I cant say its caused me many sleepless nights,its just that never having smoked its not something Ive ever bothered about,cant think what people get out of it, when you are thirsty you get a drink and when you are hungry you eat something, Ive always wondered what you got from cigs.apart from lung cancer.

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
5:14pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Whereas ANYONE having JUST ONE fag causes an offensive stink in an enclosed space. Smoke all you want to, please; but not where it affects me. Now that Boris is not exaggeration is it? I'm not "stirring"


Is this article about passive smoking??


You are twisting the arguments as not to sound PC. This article is not about PASSIVE SMOKING, but about further measures to help people quit.

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chas, suffolk says...
5:31pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Agreed boris. We could go on for ever. I find that walking to town will stop me thinking about smoking and the same goes for gardening. When I come back indoors, I like to relax with a drink and a ciggie. maybe doctors could say reduce drinking (tea and coffee that is)?

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OldBoltonian, says...
6:43pm Fri 4 Apr 08

You are twisting the arguments as not to sound PC.


heheh, Come on BOris, you must be chuckling to yourself over that one - I doubt the Blessed Andrew or his chums would agree with your suggestion that I am covertly PC! Quite the opposite, as you must have noticed from the posts I've made over the months. No, I just detest smoking for all the reasons I've just set out and I think I've got a perfect right to say that. And as the article is about encouraging people to give up, it is a proper forum to make the point that I certainly would encourage people to give up, not for any health benefit (although I am sure there are many) because one less smoker smoking is, as far as I am concerned, good news for me.

Spicy (bless her) has however really hit the nail one the head:

(A) Why do you do it?

and

(B) Why don't you stop?

I think a few honest answers to those questions might get everyone thinking a bit. Come on, let's have a proper debate on those quesitons (with no sidetracking from you-know-who).

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chas, suffolk says...
7:17pm Fri 4 Apr 08

OB
spice may not like smoking and probably wouldn't want to kiss a smoker, but non-smokers don't have to be an anti-smoker. MY answers to those questions are (A) I enjoy it and (B) I enjoy it. I would imagine boris would give the same answers.
My questions to you, regarding drinking (A) Why do you do it? (B) Why don't you stop?

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spice, bolton says...
7:26pm Fri 4 Apr 08

OB.hope you can get some feedback to these questions Ive always wondered about them.Ive asked loads of people to explain just what happens when they light up,but have never been able to get an answer,you dont have to ask a druggie what they feel like when they get a fix you can tell,they are usually out of it,I wonder if smokers feel that way,but dont show it,maybe someone can supply the answers?hopefully.

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BORISIMO, aka/dop/yelt/vonn/nm e says...
8:02pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Why do you do it?


Because I hate it.


Why don't you stop?


I want to die.


Now OB, we could find you some bible bashing idiots, that will tell you alcohol is the devil's brew. Now you answer the questions with booze.


Why do you do it?



Why don't you stop?


Don't use the not affecting anyone else argument. If we had smokers only pubs, you would never be affected. As I have said before, I'm not going into a gay bar, does that mean they shoudn't exist??

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chas, suffolk says...
9:32pm Fri 4 Apr 08

boris
'Because I hate it'. That sounds like the medicine I had as a kid. Mum used to say, but it will do you good.

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