The environment has become a major concern for humanity in recent years. With rising temperatures, increased C02 emissions, and constant disregard for ecosystems, mankind has perpetrated more than its share of destruction and destabilization of the planet’s fragile landscape. Millions of people all over the world smoke cigarettes on a regular basis, to the detriment of the environment.
You’re probably wondering how something like a cigarette can have such an impact on the Earth. For starters, the amount of litter from cigarette butts is staggering, amounting to about one-third of all collected litter. That’s one-third of the world’s trash coming from smokers! Tobacco is a crop that needs a lot of space and care, leading to deforestation and chemical fertilizer/pesticides polluting the soil.
If you’re ready to quit smoking, you’re making a great decision for both your health and that of the Earth. Here are six eco-friendly ways to ditch the habit for good.
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
Use Apps
Technology has always worked to make our lives easier. It’s also more eco-friendly than its paper alternative and there are plenty of smoking cessation apps available on the app store(s) today. These apps can help you track your progress, recognize milestones in your journey, and help you connect with a growing community of ex-smokers that can help guide you through the process. The best part about apps is that they exist solely in the digital world. There’s no paperwork or anything that creates excess trash or affects the environment.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/76/b21un3j2x4mskf9x8ed8q_1080x1341.jpg)
Tobaccoless Alternatives
Tobaccoless alternatives like dip from Black Buffalo can help you ditch the habit for good without sacrificing the nicotine fix or the tobacco ritual. These products are free of the dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes (around 7,000 of them, to be exact) and won’t leave your home, vehicle, or person smelling like smoke and tar. If you’re looking for a good replacement, you’ve found it with tobaccoless dip. It tastes, feels, and even smells like the real thing, but it won’t affect the environment or your health in the same way that a cigarette will. Every time you take a drag, you’re effectively shortening your lifespan. It’s time to take control of your life.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/dp/i6/j4qkb4b75f9b7a40992a1105040755_460x460.jpg)
CBD Products
CBD is something that’s swept the nation in recent years, and with CBD oils, gummies, and other varieties available, there’s something for everyone in the CBD space. CBD is a natural
painkiller, anti-inflammatory agent, and anti-anxiety compound.
It’s also been found to affect the receptors in the brain responsible for addiction, so it can be a potential aid in your cessation efforts. Hemp is where CBD is sourced from, and hemp is great for the environment. It’s one of the most versatile and sustainable crops on the planet, with hundreds of uses. It can even help clean up polluted soil! Switching to hemp products will help remove your dependency on tobacco and take away from the industry, which is a great help to the planet itself.
CBD, or cannabidiol, has gained popularity in recent years due to its potential health benefits. It is derived from hemp, a sustainable and versatile crop that has numerous uses. CBD has been found to have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety properties, making it a potential aid for those trying to quit smoking. It also affects the brain's receptors responsible for addiction, making it a promising option for those looking to break their tobacco dependency. By switching to CBD products, individuals can not only improve their own health but also contribute to reducing the demand for tobacco and supporting the environment.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/i8/c1/t61ljobg5bcc52cfed1d2530564341_1080x1080.jpg)
Support Groups
The cessation journey won’t be an easy one, and you might have relapses. It’s important to understand that it’s ok to have setbacks, but as long as you’ve got support, you’ll be ok.
There are thousands of support groups online that you can join for free. Check social media platforms like Facebook for groups, or visit your local church/community center to see if
there are any cessation support groups.
Having support increases your chances of success, and can give you a boost when you’re feeling at your worst.
/filters:quality(70)/health/thumbs/f2/w4/r4myovkh_400x400.jpg)
Cold-Turkey
One of the most common ways to quit smoking is cold-turkey. You’ll remove your dependence on tobacco and limit the amount of waste you produce by simply putting down the cigarettes and never looking back. Make no mistake, quitting cold-turkey is not as easy as it sounds. Nicotine withdrawal can produce some pretty powerful cravings, and you might need some support to help fight them off! Don’t be afraid to reach out to your loved ones or support group when you start to feel the urges coming on. Keep yourself busy as well to avoid thinking about getting a fix.
/filters:quality(70)/lifestyle/thumbs/jc/ii/cnz7me2j_400x300.jpg)
If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence.
Nicotine Gum
Nicotine gum does come in wrappers, but won’t produce nearly as much garbage as smoking a few packs of cigarettes each day. Many smokers have found success with gum, as it slowly removes the dependency on nicotine and helps you slowly give up smoking for good.
The Bottom Line
Smoking isn’t only dangerous to individual health; it’s also a hazard to our Earth. We only get one planet (that we know of), so we must take care of it while we’re here. The tobacco/cigarette industry is destructive and creates a public health hazard, neither of which we should ignore or pass off. By giving up cigarettes, you’re doing your part to help create a sustainable future for our children and our children’s children. As an added bonus, you won’t be actively shaving years off of your life!
