Development Of Sentencing Policy In England Law Essay

Development Of Sentencing Policy In England Law Essay According to Andrew Ashworth (Sentencing and Criminal Justice, 5th Edition, Cambridge University Press (2010), p.77), section 142 of The Criminal Justice Act 2003 appears to embody the worst of pick-and-mix sentencing, and one which invites inconsistency. In the light of this statement discuss, and comment, on the aims and purposes of sentencing. To what extent are they a reflection of sentencing currently practised by courts? This essay seeks to consider the way in which the sentencing policy has developed under English law on the basis of the fact that many academics including Ashworth look upon the current system as being somewhat pick-and-mix illustrated by section 142 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. With this in mind, this essay looks to produce a discussion that is considered to be able to serve to provide an understanding of the aims of sentencing traditionally and as to how English law has looked to fulfil these aims and the extent to which they have proved successful in this regard. In considering the idea section 142 of The Criminal Justice Act (CJA) 2003 appears to embody the worst of pick-and-mix sentencing (Ashworth, 2010), it is necessary to appreciate how it may invite inconsistency by first discussing the aims of sentencing before looking to expand and focus this discussion upon the specific provision and related provisions. On this basis, it should be possible to then determine the extent to which these aims are a reflection of policies of sentencing currently practised by courts in the UK and their associated aims. Finally, this essay will then look to conclude with a summary of the key points derived from this discussion in relation to the remit of sentencing in the UK and as to how it is currently practised by domestic courts. When considering the different aims of sentencing there are significant rationales involved with the development of an effective policy focussed upon achieving retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, restorative justice, and incapacitation founded upon a specific offenders culpability that can prove complicated (Tonry, 2005). Nevertheless, such an understanding is ably supported by philosopher, Immanuel Kant (2002) to mark the beginning of modern theories of punishment as he argued the only morally legitimate justification for sentencing. Therefore, the key function of such policy is to look to ensure offenders receive the appropriate sentences to manage the apparent conflict that exists between individual liberty under Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) 1950 (domestically implemented by the Human Rights Act (HRA) 1998) and the interests of society as a whole (see, for example, Steel v. United Kingdom). However, it has proved difficult for an effective sente ncing policy to develop that is able to find a balance between the aims that have been recognised to account for goals of crime-prevention and the apportioning of punishment (Fraser, 2005). More specifically, government policy makers have sought to explain away major changes with a view to increasing public confidence (Home Office, 2002, p.13) because the criminal justice system domestically did not have the necessary credibility and legitimacy government policy makers felt was necessary to make punishments and sanctions for criminal activity more effective, certain, and consistent (Tonry, 2005). Sentencing policy in the UK has been largely explained by the fact that, for over a decade, government policy makers have explained away major changes as part of a larger effort to increase public confidence in the English legal system (Home Office, 2002, p.13). Prior to the making of these changes, it had been a traditional social belief this countrys criminal justice system did not have the necessary credibility and legitimacy government policy makers felt was necessary to make criminal punishments more effective, certain, and consistent to address citizens problems (Tonry, 2005). But, despite this clear need and the changes, it is arguable that sentencing has still become something of a pick and mix process aptly illustrated by section 142 of the CJA 2003 regarding the purpose of sentencing policy in the English legal system (Ashworth, 2010). Therefore, both the aims and purpose of the domestic system of sentencing has arguably been lost without set guidelines to follow in the int erests of fairness and consistency regarding the sanctioning of offenders because the current codification of the law is arguably too discretionary for the judiciary to utilise in keeping with the remit of their powers as it relates to making their decisions in any given case. Section 142 of the CJA 2003 recognises criminal courts need to consider the following purposes of sentencing (a) punishment; (b) the reduction of crime; (c) reform and rehabilitation; (d) social protection; and (e) reparation. As a result, unfortunately, it is arguable such a provision was always bound to lead to significant problems because it seems to require the judiciary to actively consider a variety of aims before then giving weight to one factor above all of the rest that they must consider to reach a decision (Ashworth, 2010). But such concerns regarding sentencing serve to detract from its aims that now arguably lack foundation since the Sentencing Guidelines Council has adopted section 143 as opposed to section 142 of the CJA 2003 to determine appropriate sanctions for criminal offenders (Tonry, 2005). Section 143 specifically provides, for the purpose of sentencing, the court must consider the offenders culpability in committing the offence and any harm which the offenc e caused, was intended to cause or might foreseeably have cause. Therefore, it has been for the Sentencing Guidelines Council to focus its attention upon the proportionality principle to determine what is required for the sentencing of individual criminal offences to be more effective (Von Hirsch Roberts, 2004). However, the policy of sentencing under English law still remains sufficiently uncertain so one is left to wonder what will happen if section 142 of the CJA 2003 is favoured when determining how the Sentencing Guidelines Councils Overarching Principles Seriousness (2004) is to be followed by the courts in deciding sanctions in any given case. This is because it has proved arguable that section 142 under the CJA 2003 has already given the judiciary too greater autonomy in deciding the sentencing of offenders in any given case regarding the appropriate sanction for the offence the defendant has committed where they are found guilty (Rex Tonry, 2005, Chapter 5). As a result, doubts have arisen throughout society about whether changes in sentencing would actually reduce crime when many people have sought tougher penalties to reduce crime rates through a system that expounded the virtues of deterrence and incapacitation to achieve the aforementioned aims of sentencing. At the same time, however, there is a need to appreciate the prospect for effective rehabilitation from the sentence that an offender is given has changed quite radically under contemporary law. This is because effectively targeted programs, as part of an offenders sentence, can serve to limit the probability of that individual then re-offending through the drug treatment, anger management, sex-offender treatment, and various educational and vocational-skills programs implemented to prevent further offences occurring in the interests of crime prevention within society (Gaes, 1999). By way of illustration, the Home Offices Halliday Report provided the foundation for a massive reorganisation of the English criminal justice system under the CJA 2003 so it was concluded if the [treatment] programmes are developed and applied as intended, to the maximum extent possible, reconviction rates might be reduced by 5-25 percentage points. (Halliday, et al, 2001, p.7) Therefore, a new approach to custodial sentences was proposed and endorsed totalling less than a year with three specific options available. The first is custody plus consisting of a maximum of 13 weeks in prison with the rest being made up by community service, whilst sentencing may also consist of a policy of intermittent custody that involves weekend imprisonment for up 51 weeks (sections 183-186 at CJA 2003). Finally, there is also the possibility of custody minus whereby the offenders sentence is suspended for a maximum of 51 weeks with community service carried out instead (Von Hisch Roberts, 2004). On this basis, the methods for dealing with minor criminal matters have taken on greater significance with the CJA 2003s enactment, since sections 22-27 now also supplement the existing system of cautions (under the Police Criminal Evidence Act 1984) with conditional cautions which may be given when the conditions set out are fulfilled (Ashworth Redmayne, 2005, Chapter 6). However, whilst the CJA 2003 has introduced a new mandatory minimum sentence of five years for possession of firearms without a licence under section 287, there has been a distinct lack of Court of Appeal guidance for the minimum sentence for domestic burglary (section 111 at Power of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000) but was not endorsed by the Court of Appeal (R v. Hoare) unlike, for example, guidelines on rape (R v. Milberry). Moreover, the CJA 2003 also eliminated the automatic life imprisonment sentence and absorbed it within the new dangerousness sentences (sections 224-236 Schedules 15 18 of the CJA 2003 because decisions like Stafford v. UK recognised the Home Secretarys power to set a minimum time for someone to remain in prison who is imprisoned for life (see also section 269 Schedule 21 of the CJA 2003). As for the matter of previous convictions impact upon sentencing individual offenders, where an individual has already been convicted of another offence they should be liable to a much stricter penalty for all offences they are convicted of thereafter because such convictions are illustrative of an individuals bad character in court proceedings to impact upon a given case (Choo, 2006, Chapter 8). However, the CJA 2003 have proved somewhat controversial to say the least because the precise moment of their coming into force has proved a matter of notable dispute (R v. Bradley) as well as the fact that, in a criminal trial, any evidence relevant to the case should be admissible (Rees Roberts, 2006). This proved necessary because it was previously largely understood under section 1(3) of the Criminal Evidence Act 1898 the prosecution in any criminal case was unable to adduce evidence of a defendants bad character except regarding the offence a defendant was charged with unless it was co nsidered probative to the best interests of justice (Durston, 2004). But what Lord Wilberforce said in Boardman v. Director of Public Prosecutions (p.444) acted as a caveat in recognising the admission of similar fact evidence (of the kind now in question) is exceptional and requires a strong degree of probative force to be admissible prior to the CJA 2003. Therefore, the level of sentencing may then be determined fairly and consistently in keeping with the facts of any given case to provide sufficient sanctions in the best interests of justice for society as a whole (Fitzpatrick, 2006). In addition, the exclusionary rule previously emphasised as being of fundamental significance against the admission of previous misconduct and other evidence of bad character has now been largely abolished where it is found the matters to be considered are relevant to the issues at hand (section 101 of the CJA 2003). By way of illustration, under section 103(1) of the CJA 2003, the matters in issue between the defendant and the prosecution include: (a) The question whether the defendant has a propensity to commit offences of the kind with which he is charged, except where his having such a propensity makes it no more likely that he is guilty of the offence (Roberts, 2006). But whilst there is little doubt those who drafted this provision intended to make evidence of a defendants bad character admissible because it shows they have a general tendency to commit offences, there is room for considerable doubt about whether the provision achieves its aim (Withey, 2007). To conclude, policy makers under English law have sought to develop a system of sentencing that fulfils its recognised aims since the CJA 2003 has sought to provide for the achievement of higher levels of fairness in the decisions reached to prevent further instances of crime and act in societys best interests. This is because not only can an effective system of sentencing provide a deterrent for others in society, but this can also serve as a means of punishment and rehabilitation. However, whilst the CJA 2003s remit has been called into question because it would seem to give too wider discretion to the judiciary in looking to reason out their decisions, previous convictions must also now be taken into account in determining the level of sentencing for any individual found guilty of a criminal offence as an indication of bad character under the CJA 2003. But, to achieve a consistent and fair approach to the administration of justice through an effective sentencing policy, it is stil l necessary to adhere to the Act to come to a fair approach to sentencing and sanctions to punish and rehabilitate a guilty offender whilst also deterring others from carrying out similar offences.

Developing a marketing strategy at Tesco

Developing a marketing strategy at Tesco Marketing is to establish, maintain and enhance relationship with customers and other partners, at a profit, so that the objectives of the parties involved are met. This is achieved by mutual exchange and fulfilment of promises. Brassington F and Pettitt S( FT Prentice hall,2006) Developing a marketing strategy is a very fragile process and all organizations make extra effort for it to gain customers. Customers knowledge is very essential to gain them. Marketing strategy has a vital role to play in an organization. Customer relationship is very important for a business. Customer needs should adhere to organisational objectives and this is important. In a nutshell we are statisfying needs of customers with profit. According to the Chartered Institute of Marketing, they offer recognised qualifications and trainings and also provide advice on marketing, their base line is : SATISFYING NEEDS AND WANTS OF CUSTOMERS AT PROFIT Marketing strategy should be adhered to customer needs and wants. Customer is an essential factor of an organisation, his likes and dislikes, thoughts and wants change with time. Its very natural, that human beings change their attitude, desires after a certain time period. The strategy should respond to those changes effectively. To capture market, companies should adopt affective techniques. Customer should know what we are doing. Monitoring and control after strategy implementation is very important. COMPANY PROFILE OF TESCO Tesco PLC holds the leading position among food retailers in Great Britain, with a market share that exceeds 15 percent. In England, Scotland, and Wales, the company runs 588 supermarkets, 257 of which are superstoresstores that sell food items in addition to a variety of other products, including gasoline, clothing, housewares, and alcoholic beverages. Tesco also operates 32 stores in Northern Ireland and 77 in the Republic of Ireland under various brands, 43 in Hungary under the Global and Tesco names, 31 in Poland under the Savia name, and 13 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia under the Tesco brand. In Northern Ireland, the company also runs 52 Wine Barrel off-license outlets. Tesco is the largest independent gasoline retailer in Britain; its 288 gas stations sell 12.5 percent of the gasoline sold in the United Kingdom. Recent company innovations include the Clubcard loyalty card as well as offerings from Tesco Personal Finance, which include a grocery budgeting account called Clu bcard Plus, a Tesco Visa Card, and a Tesco savings account. http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/11/Tesco-Plc.html BASIC PLANNING RULES FOR A STRATEGY VISION AND MISSION All companies have their vision and mission statements which describe the organization.Some organizations have two statements. Reputed companies have one vision statement. It is a small description of an organizations future. What is the business? Customers? How value of customer can be increased? Tesco Vision is EVERY LITTLE HELPS A LOT Concept A strategy should be customer oriented, customer knowledge is essential. To know your customer, customer diversification in categories is important. They can be divided into segments according to their liking and disliking trends. A market research can be conducted to know the trends. After trend analysis, competitive advantage can be attained. According to the Chartered Institute of Marketing Marketing is the management process that identifies, anticipates and satisfies customer requirements profitably. For quality oriented customers we should make a strategy that draws their attention to our quality products and prices. Strategy should match our strengths. After strategy formulation, customer awareness is important. We need to develop channels to makle the customers aware of our offers. Systematic Approach To develop a systematic approach is hard and fragile task then all the other marketing tasks. Its id nutshell which includes all the companies objectives and plans.(Malcolm Macdonald,2008) Sequencing and scheduling of Activities Organisational managers are responsible for executing all the marketing activities and scheduling them. The main steps to make the execution on time are: 1 Identify activities to be performed 2 Determine the time required for activity completion 3 Determine the activity sequence. 4 Timing of all activities. 5 Assign responsibility(O.C Ferrel,Michael D,2007) Integration of activities Integration are of two types Simple Complex In simple, organizations subcontract the easy activities to other countries and keep complicated duties to themselves. Small companies support this strategy. In complex, the companies make decisions at the headquarters.(Bradley F,2005) Resource requirements Companies go with diversification if they have strong assets. Such Organizations introduce themselves in markets where the resources are according to their abilities. They have more opportunities if the resources are general. (Bradley F,2005) Time Scaling Time scaling is of two types 1 Production time scale 2`Commercial time Scale Both of them have different requirements according to the production and Marketing departments of the organization.(Suerie C,2005) Implementation and control:- A plan is nothing unless it degenerates into work.(peter drucker) Control is the way that we catch faults in strategy. Types of control:- Annual plan control Profitability control Efficiency control Strategy control STRATEGIC MARKETING PLANNING PROCESS This Process consists of a pattern of sensible steps that are taken to arrive at a Marketing plan. The next step would be to analyze the Market. Inorder to analyze the market there are some dimensions which need to be covered. Growing submarkets Size of Markets Market growth Profitability of Market Structure of Cost Distribution system Development and Trends Success indicators (Mcloughlin D, A.Aker D, 2010) SETTING MARKETING OBJECTIVES There are two factors Customer oriented objectives Market oriented objectives Both objectives should be designed to earn profit and gain customer. Goal setting should keep the organizations internal and external environments in centre. Only then a realistic business strategy can be developed. The goals should be smart, measurable, realistic, achievable, specific and time bound. (McCorkell G,1997) http://www.businesslink.gov.uk STRATEGIC MARKETING A strategy is a plan that integrates an organizations major goals,`policies,decisions and sequences of action into cohesive whole.(Proctor T,2000) MARKETING STRATEGY A marketing strategy should be coherent to the marketing plan. It should always be the same practically. SEGMENTATION In order to put in place a marketing strategy, the first step is to understand the market. Divide the market in to different categories. E.g. the business sector is huge market. This market can be categorized business nature. Banking industry is separate market. Steel industry is a separate market and similarly Textile is a separate market. The next step is to analyse, number of businesses working in each sector. Size of each business, their level of working. After doing this analysis, customer trends need to be analyzed , what do they want. Then after analysing we should be understand where we have the competitive advantage. And how can we bring it to use. POSITIONING Positioning means to make an image in the mind of the customer. His perception about us. What he thinks about us. What do we want him to think. How can we do that is part of the marketing strategy. Some businesses want to offer quality and some offer cheaper rates. This is where we want the customer class comes in. Does he fall in the higher class, middle class or lower class. MARKETING MIX Afetr segmentation, market selection and positioning the product, the next step is to make a marketing mix. Business should then evaluate its different marketing mix strategies which include the 4 ps. According to Adcock et al The right product, in the right place, at the right time, and at the right price PRODUCT Organizations should work on the product. How the customer values the product. It also depends a little on the company where it wants to draw attention. Existing products should have a different line of action on how the product should be modified. PRICE The price aspect is critical. If customers want quality at any price. Then in the above P(Product), the company might focus on quality. If the price set is low then the customer might see it as low quality, others might favour it to meet the finances. PLACE Accessibility is the answer to gain customers. Products available to customer in his local area, then this is an advantage. Because if products are of basic or daily needs, customers have many options and will prefer the nearest one. Internet shopping is another plus point. PROMOTION Customer awareness to product is also important. Either through internet, media or print media. Until and unless the customer does not have the knowledge, we wont make any sales. Tesco Tesco,s way promotion are advertising, public relations, direct mail, sales promotion and personal selling http://www.universitydissertations.com/Marketing/Tesco-Marketing-Strategy.php These were the 4ps. For more detailed and comprehensive study, 3 more ps were included: PEOPLE An organisation needs to make sure that its resources such as the employees are fully trained. They should have enough product knowledge to satisfy customers. PROCESSES The processes of the company should be efficient enough to handle customers and satisfy them according to their needs. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE This factor refers to the companys appearance. How the employees look, the premises. These elements put an immense impression about the business in their mind. http://www.businesslink.gov.uk DISADVANTAGES These tools are just like the ingredients of a strategic marketing plan. If any one of it is not focused and given a detailed consideration then chances are of failure. TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES SWOT ANALYSIS If an organisation works honestly with it self, this will lead to success. A business should look in its internal and external environments. For every business it is important that it analyses its strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats (SWOT analysis). Then it realises where it stands. After it knows what its actual picture is, then accordingly strategies should take shape. A companys strength could be Good customer service Good offers, packages Excellent knowledge According to a report some of Tesco,s strengths are Diverse ranges of products à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Open 24 hours service à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Strong flow of cash à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Increasing turnover and profits à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Strong Balance Sheet à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Growing Supermarket Chain à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Brand Awareness à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Online Shopping http://www.universitydissertations.com/Marketing/Tesco-Marketing-Strategy.php Weaknesses Weaknesses could be like Lack of resources Average reputation Accounting system is not good Tesco,s weaknesses There is a mind positioning of low quality -(Tesco value brands) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lack of local knowledge of customers and culture THREATS à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Competition which is strong à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Unpredictability in Price of raw materials à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Recession à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shift of market to globalisation à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Takeover bids http://www.universitydissertations.com/Marketing/Tesco-Marketing-Strategy.php Opportunities Internet as a source of new markets New technologies can help product improvement. Threats New competitor in market http://www.businesslink.gov.uk In order to identify the Macrofactors, we use Step: stands for Social, Technological, Economic, Political factors Steeple: Social, Technological, Economic, Ecological, Political factors, Legal and Ethical Fators. Pestle: Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Ecological factors. Now these three tools vary from organization to organization.(Blythe J, 2006) PESTLE External environment includes the forces outside the organisation. Its called the PEST analysis. PEST are the factors that make the business wade in the external environment. But businesses have to survive. POLITICAL Political changes also affect the business. If a new regulation is imposed like taxes, this could effect the companies cost. TESCO After the European Integration and agreement of free trade, the market has opened up for British Companies to invest in Eastern Europe. Tesco already has 60 Hypermarket store in Hungary.  Ã‚   ECONOMIC Economic factors like change interest rates, exchange rates also affect the business. SOCIAL Social factors include change of lifestyle, fashion, attitudes of people which change demand for certain product. Tesco Changes in consumer demands, trends and lifestyle show both opportunities and threats for the company. Opportunities in terms of new market and consumers, however, there are added threats of developed Swedish retailers. http://www.universitydissertations.com/Marketing/Tesco-Marketing-Strategy.php TECHNONLOGICAL Technology has immensely changed the way businesses work now. Tesco Changes in retailing sales through the Internet is now very common. Paperless operation, access through secure servers; provide flexibility in the business running. Sweden is going through technological development with companies like Ericsson, Tesco would enjoy the logistic and distribution channels already in place http://www.universitydissertations.com/Marketing/Tesco-Marketing-Strategy.php LEGAL Tesco National legislation for health and safety both in terms of consumer rights and also in terms of production of own natural renewable resources for making clothes ENVIRONMENTAL Businesses do not have control over these factors what they can do is react to these changes by accordingly adjusting the SWOT environment. http://www.businesslink.gov.uk BCG MATRIX Stars ? Cash cows Dogs This tool is used by businesses to evaluate their different business units (SBU).It was developed by the Boston Consulting group. It places the different SBUs of the business in each quadrant according to their market share and reputation STARS These products are market leaders have good market share and growth CASH COWS These products have high market share in low growth markets. QUESTION MARK These have low market share in high growth markets. These products need considerable thought if they should be supported or not. They are not generating much income. DOGS These products have low share in low growth markets. Very poor performance and should be withdrawn.(L. Kurtz D,2008) PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE It is a model which represents the life of a product. It has four basic stages INTRODUCTION The product is developed and introduced in the market. GROWTH This phase of the cycle is where the product gains market share and generates income. MATURITY In this stage the product has achieved the maximum share and is at its maturity point. DECLINE After achieving the maximum share the product undergoes a decline phase where it has no more demand for it self.(Saaksvuori A,Immonen A,2008) Product Life Cycle Model PORTERS FIVE FORCES MODEL Threat of new Entrants Industry competitors Bargaining power of Supplier Bargaining power of Buyer Substitute Threat Porter argued the strategy is not just as series of models at the corporate level of strategy. He noted that strategy includes analyzing potential entrants, suppliers,buyers,substitutes, and competitors. BARGAINING POWER OF BUYER It is the ability of the buyer to bargain. This power increases as the buyer has more options to buy from. NEW ENTRANTS These are the new companies entering into the industry and are a threat to the existing ones. BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIER It is the ability of the suppliers to decide the price for their product and the terms. SUBSTITUTE THREAT Alternate products offered by companies for a particular product are also threat to existing entities.(Michael J. Stahl, DavidW. Grigsby,1997) MARKETING STRATEGY OPTIONS According to Michael Porter, orgaizations can continue with three strategies, 1 Differentiation Strategy 2 Cost Leadership 3 Focus Strategy DIFFERENTIATION STRATEGY This strategy is used by an organization to make itself different from other businesses. This strategy helps the organization to charge more from customers as compared to competitors. One thing is for sure that if customers get extra value they can pay more. Rolex watches charge more for there product. They earn their reputation by the quality of metal, stainless steel. They undergo special test for quality assurance. COST LEADERSHIP This strategy is used by companies to boost sales. They reduce their cost slightly below the cost of rivals and sell the products more. Timex has been a cost market leader for long. They make simple watches at low price for mass market. FOCUS STRATEGY Organizations using this strategy focus at particular market or group of buyers. Organizations might make thier focus using differentiation or cost leadership strategy in that specific market.(Ricky W. G,2007) CORE COMPETENCES These are skills used by organizations to provide customers with extra benefits. Competences could be Speed Consistency Acuity Agility Innovativeness (Hamel.G, Prahalad CK,1996) RISING EXPECTATIONS Customer expectation has increased due to companies continuing improvement towards their product to satisfy them. Since every company competing with Tesco is giving almost comparable products so the only way to get an edge is to give something extra to surprise them. Employee training is also very important to cope with customer expectation like giving a free delivery at home. TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE Technology is changing at a very fast rate so companies need to be good supporters or followers. Tesco can and is improving towards reducing the ques inside the stores by improving the websites so grocery orders can be taken online. COMPETITION Competition has increased tremendously in many industries and so many companies who were weak have fallen out, due to added factor weak economic conditions. Tesco club card scheme has really helped it to get through the economic condition. GLOBALISATION In this era every business considers and makes decisions according to the international market. Now the world has developed it self to be a global village. Spread of information, media, internet many different of doing business online has raised the competition even more. (Doyle.P, Stern. P, 2006) Tesco is becoming a growing chain and is one. This chain has helped it to secure strong profits.It has and should continue to operate in other countries to gain customer bank and explore new markets. IMPLEMENTATION. Tescos functional areas are Administration The administration department should keep the internal operations maintained. Finance Finance department should take care of cash flows and also take measures to control cost with out effecting profit. Marketing Marketing department should focus on sales increase and product training for employees. Research and development Research and development should maintain the standards of product quality. Information Technology Tesco has introduced self checkout machines through which people can pay themselves instead of waiting in ques. If the objective is to increase sales. To increase the sale, Tesco should work on its sales and marketing Department. Employee training is important. Product knowledge for employees so that customer satisfaction is guaranteed. It will help the human resource to market the product and give the customer what they need. As a result, we will experience an increase in sales. Customer awareness is very essential. E-marketing is also an important tool in this era to make it easy for people to buy products online. It is more easy for people to do transactions online and get delivery on time. CONCLUSION In a nutshel, i would say that marketing should have proper department in every business and it should work on an genuine plan. The rules and principles of marketing should be adhered to make the marketing plan successful. A company should also keep up with its functional areas so that the plan work smoothly.

To Kill A Mockingbird - Scouts Maturity :: To Kill a Mockingbird Essays

As people grow in life, they mature and change. In the novel , To Kill a Mockingbird ,by Harper Lee, Scout, the main character, matures as the book continues. Slowly but surely, Scout learns to control her explosive temper, to refrain from fistfights, and to respect Calpurnia, their maid, and to really learn her value to the family. Scout simply changes because she matures, and she also changes because Atticus, her father, asks her to. In the early chapters of the book, Scout picks fights at the slightest provocation. One example of this is when Scout beats up Walter Cunningham, one of her classmates, for â€Å"not having his lunch†, which isn’t a very good reason at all. â€Å"Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop. ‘You’re bigger’n he is,’ he said †¦ ‘He made me start off on the wrong foot.’ †¦ ‘Let him go Scout. Why?’ ‘He didn’t have any lunch,’ I said, and explained my involvement in Walter’s dietary affairs† (27). Scout is also very mischievous and has a devious mentality towards Calpurnia. She describes Calpurnia as a tyrannical presence, and she does everything she can to get her out of the house. One time Scout does this is when Walter comes over to her house to eat dinner. Scout criticizes Walt er for drowning his food in molasses, and Calpurnia scolds Scout. After Walter leaves, Scout asks Atticus to fire Calpurnia, which of course he doesn’t do. â€Å"Jem said suddenly grinned at him. ‘Come on home to dinner with us, Walter,’ he said. †¦ Walter stood where he was, biting his lip. Jem and I gave up, and we were nearly to the Radley Place when Walter called, ‘Hey, I’m comin’!’ While Walter piled food on his plate, he and Atticus talked together like to men, to the wonderment of Jem and me. Atticus was expounding on farm problems when Walter interrupted to ask if there was any molasses in the house†¦ Walter poured syrup on his vegetables and meat with a generous hand. He would probably have poured it into his milk glass had I not asked what the sam hill he was doing†¦ It was then that Calpurnia quested my presence in the kitchen†¦ She was furious, and when she was furious Calpurnia’s grammar became erratic†¦ â€Å"There’s some folks who don’t eat like us,† she whispered fiercely†¦ Jem and Walter returned to school ahead of me: staying behind to advise Atticus of Calpurnia’s iniquities was worth a solitary sprint past the Radley Place.

Essay --

Impact of marketing on Agricultural Products Introduction Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy because it fulfills the basic necessities of life also it provides the employment opportunities and livelihood to 62% of population. It contributes 21% to total GDP and 80% products that are being exported are agro based. (Agri Punjab). Pakistan has plenty of natural resources so people of rural areas put their whole efforts in exploring these and producing the agricultural products from those. So if it will be managed effectively than it becomes the biggest source of reducing the poverty in Pakistan. Agricultural sector in Pakistan is growing in Pakistan from time to time but this growth is not much satisfactory for us because of many factors like increasing rate of population, inefficient water storage and natural calamities that affects the Pakistan each year in the form of flood etc. Agricultural productivity can be enhanced by using the latest technology or by cultivating the more land for production purposes; this will c ause the reduction in scarcity of food and reduce poverty. Using the latest technology avoid the diseases of crops and make better the agricultural production. (Abdul & Aqeel, 2007) Efforts are now being started to improve this sector as many of biotechnology institutes have been established. If the proper technology and scientific approaches will be used then it could make the agricultural system one of the best systems. The fertilizers and pesticides costs are increasing day by day that leads to decline in crops (Mohammad). Agriculture contributes major in economic development of Pakistan that contributions includes export of rice and cotton gives 65% of total foreign exchange earnings, as the popula... ...structured questionnaires as well as through documents like policy strategies, guidelines and reports. Stratified random sampling was used and 3 groups were selected to collect data from each district. Interviews were made from producers, traders and NGO’s. it was concluded from study that the improvement in marketing system is most important, different changes/techniques were recommended for 3 districts. For example for Dehana district (proper utilization of resources, soil conservation, moisture management, improved seeds), for Arrero District ( improvement of rangeland, livestock marketing system, cooperatives should be encouraged) and for Goro district (Livestock production should be improved, better road network, marketing monitoring from government and better market information system). In short proper system of marketing was recommended from this research. Essay -- Impact of marketing on Agricultural Products Introduction Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy because it fulfills the basic necessities of life also it provides the employment opportunities and livelihood to 62% of population. It contributes 21% to total GDP and 80% products that are being exported are agro based. (Agri Punjab). Pakistan has plenty of natural resources so people of rural areas put their whole efforts in exploring these and producing the agricultural products from those. So if it will be managed effectively than it becomes the biggest source of reducing the poverty in Pakistan. Agricultural sector in Pakistan is growing in Pakistan from time to time but this growth is not much satisfactory for us because of many factors like increasing rate of population, inefficient water storage and natural calamities that affects the Pakistan each year in the form of flood etc. Agricultural productivity can be enhanced by using the latest technology or by cultivating the more land for production purposes; this will c ause the reduction in scarcity of food and reduce poverty. Using the latest technology avoid the diseases of crops and make better the agricultural production. (Abdul & Aqeel, 2007) Efforts are now being started to improve this sector as many of biotechnology institutes have been established. If the proper technology and scientific approaches will be used then it could make the agricultural system one of the best systems. The fertilizers and pesticides costs are increasing day by day that leads to decline in crops (Mohammad). Agriculture contributes major in economic development of Pakistan that contributions includes export of rice and cotton gives 65% of total foreign exchange earnings, as the popula... ...structured questionnaires as well as through documents like policy strategies, guidelines and reports. Stratified random sampling was used and 3 groups were selected to collect data from each district. Interviews were made from producers, traders and NGO’s. it was concluded from study that the improvement in marketing system is most important, different changes/techniques were recommended for 3 districts. For example for Dehana district (proper utilization of resources, soil conservation, moisture management, improved seeds), for Arrero District ( improvement of rangeland, livestock marketing system, cooperatives should be encouraged) and for Goro district (Livestock production should be improved, better road network, marketing monitoring from government and better market information system). In short proper system of marketing was recommended from this research.

The Benefits of Our Government Essay -- Governmental Politics Economic

The Benefits of Our Government The monstrous nature of government is evident to the everyday citizen. It is monstrous to oppress the poor and minorities and it is certainly monstrous to declare war on another country and inflict pain and suffering on its people. Yet it is also obvious to the every day citizen that government is necessary to preserve order. Without law or law enforcement, criminals would roam the streets and wreak havoc. Without a military, other countries would invade us violently. Thus, government is a monstrous institution that preserves order in a potentially horrific manner. Government has a tendency to become monstrous in two ways. One is that it needs to maintain order within the country, which often comes at the expense of the environment and the lower classes. The other way that government has a tendency to act monstrously is toward other governments in a struggle for world power. The desire for world power is a form of mimetic desire that causes countries to commit monstrous acts toward each other in order to gain or preserve status in the world. Monsters of myths are chaotic, yet necessary for order. An analysis of them in myths such as Enumu elish reveals that the monsters symbolize the monstrous nature that governments take on to fulfill their duty to preserve order. Without chaos monsters to sacrifice, order would never prevail over chaos. Similarly, without government to order society and protect its citizens from chaos, there would be war as a result of selfish desires. Thus, we are faced with the inevitability of living under a corrupt and monstrous government. Ritual serves as a reminder that the monster exists, and ritual sacrifice reminds us that monsters are quite freq... ... monstrous government, and it is up to us as individuals to reap those benefits and create a better world. It is absolutely necessary that people understand the nature of a monstrous government. It does have a tendency to become too monstrous by becoming overly aggressive in the process of preserving power. However, the order it provides is essential to the development of a sound community. It also provides the opportunity for citizens to take the world into their own hands. The more people volunteer in their community and support human rights groups such as Amnesty International, the less harm our benefits of monstrous government causes for others. Therefore, out of appreciation for receiving the benefits of our monstrous government, I encourage every individual to strive to make a difference in the world. Amnesty International Website: www.amnesty.org/

Marijuana Should Be Legal for Anyone over 21

Marijuana should be legalized for recreational purposes to anyone over 21 years of age. Marijuana has been proven to be safer than alcohol, yet marijuana is against the law. Alcohol is known to contribute to acts of violence and crime, while in most cases cannabis can reduce aggression in its users. â€Å"In last year’s cases of reported violent crime three million offenders had been drinking. Almost all cases of date rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence had some kind of connection to alcohol† (Medical Fact: Marijuana is Safer Than Alcohol, 2009). Marijuana has not been linked or has been left absent from any of those type of crime reports. Alcohol-related traffic accidents have gone down in the past 20 to 30 years; however, they still kill approximately 14,000 lives every year according to MADD. The numbers for THC-related traffic deaths are very rare because most of the deaths in these cases the driver was also under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. However, â€Å"there is evidence from a number of studies, including some laboratory simulations that give power to the idea that people under the influence of cannabis seem to be aware of their impaired motor skills, and two tend to drive below the posted speed limit. People under the influence of alcohol are more likely to unaware or defiant about their impaired state and most tend to speed or drive recklessly† (RN, How Many People Actually Die from Marijuana and Alcohol, 2010). Some of the main concerns about legalizing marijuana are if marijuana causes any type of cancer or long time health effects. â€Å"Alcohol abuse as we know can contribute too many different long-term negative health problems, mainly cirrhosis of the liver and other types of cancers. There are some doctors that state that a small quantity of alcohol, taken daily, is good for salutary health effects, alcohol is still one of the worst drugs that someone could take for pain management† (Kaufman, 2008). Marijuana has not been linked to cause any type of cancer but instead is used to treat some side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Studies have been done to see if marijuana has any link to causing cancer. Donald Tashkin from the University of California Los Angeles is a pulmonologist that has studied marijuana and its effects for over 30 years. He stated that â€Å"New findings were against our expectation. A study was done were we hypothesized that there would be an association between marijuana and lung cancer, and with heavier use of the drug that the link would be even more positive. Instead we found that there was no association at all, we even found that THC might have some protective effects against cancer† (Tashkin, 2009). Many states have already made marijuana legal for medical use because of all its positive effects on the user. Some government officials are trying to keep marijuana illegal because they say it is a gateway drug, and will lead children to harder drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine. However the RAND study performed by the U. S. National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (which measures patterns and frequency of self-reported drug use among Americans) found that â€Å"Marijuana experimentation by adolescents does not lead to the use of harder drug’s, and that teenagers who tried hard drugs were predisposed to do so whether or not they tried marijuana. Almost anything can be called a gateway drug in today’s time. Most people can remember a popular candy know as Candy Cigarettes. â€Å"Candy Cigarettes that are exactly the way you remember them as a kid. Each pack has 10 white candy sticks with a red tip, ready to be rolled up in your T-shirt sleeve† (Oldtime Candy Company, 2010). I asked my parents about my use of Candy Cigarettes. â€Å"When you were 8 or 9 you always wanted to act cool like the older guys on our street. You would always ask for those things, and you and your best friend would stand outside playing with them. If I would have known that it would have led to you really smoking I would have never bought them† (Anderson, 2011). The statement â€Å"marijuana is a lot safer than alcohol† cannot go unchallenged and should be debated. One important subject is the risk that marijuana use (especially in young adults) can lead to some kinds of mental illness. â€Å"Studies support findings that risk of schizophrenia doubles in young abusers† (U. S. National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, 2009). According to Joseph Califano Jr. CASA founder and chairman of Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) â€Å"If we were to make marijuana legal and taxed it, for approximately every dollar of tax revenue, there could be as much as seven dollars incurred in medical costs†. Legalizing marijuana would mean that it would be easier for the drug to get in the hands of kids. According to CASA findings â€Å"Despite reported declines in teen marijuana use in 2007, almost eleven million teens report using marijuana. Marijuana is a major substance that is being abused among teens in America. More than five times the increase in such findings for all other substance abuse. † With marijuana becoming so popular again with teens most people believe that we should keep the drug illegal. Marijuana should be legalized for recreational purposes to anyone over 21 years of age. Studies have shown that it is safer than alcohol, and is being use by a wide spread of society. Money from taxation of marijuana can be used to benefit schools, decrease the deficit, and lower prison rates and populations for minor offenders and misdemeanors. Marijuana has not been shown to cause cancer, but instead help with some of the side effects. As well as reduce aggression in its users. No Drug is good and all of them need to be regulated in some type of way. However, marijuana use is not going stop. We as a society need to control it and gain from it. Legalizing marijuana and putting laws, similar to the ones for alcohol, in effect would increase the use of marijuana amongst our society, but it would also bring in money that is in great need for our schools.

All About Smoking in the Philippines Essay

The campaign against smoking, which kills close to 90,000 people a year in the Philippines – on a par with the number of deaths in natural disasters or conflicts – is becoming a losing battle. â€Å"My friends look so cool smoking,† Arnold Santos of Mandaluyong City said, who took up the habit out of peer pressure. â€Å"Now, I smoke 10 cigarettes a day,† the 17-year-old, who has no plans of quitting just yet, said. Despite the passage of the Tobacco Control Act, more Filipino youths are now smoking, â€Å"indicating that the law has not been effective†, Maricar Limpin, executive director of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP), said. The 2003 act sets both the guidelines for and regulation of the packaging, sale, distribution and advertisements of tobacco products. Among others, it mandates the printing of warnings in either English or Filipino of the harmful effects of smoking. Yet a recent global youth tobacco survey showed that smoking prevalence among Filipino youth had jumped from 15 percent in 2003 to 21.6 percent in 2007. â€Å"We are losing the war against smoking,† Limpin conceded. At least 240 Filipinos die each day – 87,600 a year – from smoking-related diseases such as lung cancer, cardiac arrest, stroke and other chronic-obstructive lung failures, the health department reported. These figures are based on the 2005-2006 Tobacco and Poverty Study in the Philippines conducted by the College of Public Health of the University of the Philippines, National Epidemiology Center of the Department of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO). The figures are higher than Malaysia and Vietnam, where 10,000 and 40,000 people respectively die each year from smoking-related diseases, but lower than Indonesia, where 400,000 people die annually. Graphic warnings Since 2007, separate bills have been pending with lawmakers to introduce the printing of graphic health warnings. An FCAP survey on 10,000 Filipino youths revealed they were more receptive to graphic warnings than text warnings. Limpin said the survey showed that the graphic design had a better ability to convey the health risks related to smoking and some said it stopped them from buying cigarettes. While the visual warning has little effect on long-time smokers, preventing young people from taking up the habit would deny tobacco companies a new market, Limpin said. â€Å"The industry knows that the introduction of graphic warnings threatens its future market,† Limpin said. In the Senate, the bill is now being discussed in the plenary. But in the House, composed of district and party list representatives from all 78 provinces, the bill has not passed the committee level because of opposition from legislators. â€Å"It is being blocked because of fears it could kill the tobacco industry,† Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, main author of the anti-smoking bill, said. According to the National Tobacco Authority, more than 57,000 farmers are engaged in tobacco farming. La Union Rep. Victor Francisco said the main flaw of the bill was that it would raise the prices of local tobacco products compared with imports. To compete, local manufacturers would have no choice but to increase their prices because of the additional cost, he said. In addition, the bill failed to factor in the repercussions on local livelihoods; almost two million people depend on the tobacco industry. â€Å"Our tobacco farmers, especially in the north, cannot easily shift to other crops because the soil is not compatible with other produce,† Francisco said. The WHO’s Tobacco Framework Convention on Tobacco, to which the Philippines is a signatory, recommends the use of effective campaigns against tobacco consumption. Article 11 requires that state signatories adopt effective measures by September 2008, but the Philippines missed the deadline. Filed under medicine, philippines Harmful Health Effects Of Smoking Cigarettes The harmful health effects of smoking cigarettes presented in the list below only begin to convey the long term side effects of smoking. Quitting makes sense for many reasons but simply put: smoking is bad for health. Harmful Effects of Smoking * Every year hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from diseases caused by smoking cigarettes – Smoking KILLS. * One in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit. Half of these deaths will occur in middle age. * Tobacco smoke also contributes to a number of cancers. * The mixture of nicotine and carbon monoxide in each cigarette you smoke temporarily increases your heart rate and blood pressure, straining your heart and blood vessels. * This can cause heart attacks and stroke. It slows your blood flow, cutting off oxygen to your feet and hands. Some smokers end up having their limbs amputated. * Tar coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and causes cancer. A 20-a-day smoker breathes in up to a full cup (210 g) of tar in a year. * Changing to low-tar cigarettes does not help because smokers usually take deeper puffs and hold the smoke in for longer, dragging the tar deeper into their lungs. * Carbon monoxide robs your muscles, brain and body tissue of oxygen, making your whole body and especially your heart work harder. Over time, your airways swell up and let less air into your lungs. * Smoking causes disease and is a slow way to die. The strain of smoking effects on the body often causes years of suffering. Emphysema is an illness that slowly rots your lungs. People with emphysema often get bronchitis again and again, and suffer lung and heart failure. * Lung cancer from smoking is caused by the tar in tobacco smoke. Men who smoke are ten times more likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers. * Heart disease and strokes are also more common among smokers than non-smokers. * Smoking causes fat deposits to narrow and block blood vessels which leads to heart attack. * Smoking causes around one in five deaths from heart disease. * In younger people, three out of four deaths from heart disease are due to smoking. * Cigarette smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight, prematurity, spontaneous abortion, and perinatal mortality in humans, which has been referred to as the fetal tobacco syndrome. As mentioned earlier, this list can only begin to convey the harmful health effects of smoking cigarettes and its long term side effects. Next we consider reasons why smoking is bad for those around you in the effects of second hand smoke. Quit-Smoking-Stop.com  ©2011 Len Johnson. All Rights Reserved. – Medical Disclaimer – Privacy – Advantages and Disadvantages of Smoking Smoking is a bad habit widespread among teenagers.It contains dangerous items which destroy the human brain and lungs. It causes different diseases such as cancer in different areas in the human body. From the religious point of view,it’s prohibited . There are different clear versuses in the Holy Qura’n as God says;†Don’t throw yourself in the destroy.† The reason of the teenagers’ smoking is based on psychologica factors.Through smoking they think they show people that they are adult and can do whatever they want. Advantages and Disadvantages of Smoking The great tobacco debate has been going on for years. Ever since it was determined that smoking cigarettes causes lung cancer, along with a host of other diseases, non-smokers have been railing against the evils of cigarettes, while many smokers have clung to their tobacco like a miser with his last penny. But the question is, are the smokers right? Are there indeed advantages to tobacco use? Die-hard cigarette users claim many benefits to smoking, some are the following: * Peer group acceptance if peers smoke * Effective weight loss aid * Performance enhancement in tasks requiring * concentration * Stress relief * Some smokers truly enjoy the taste There are issues with most of these perceived advantages. If a smoker attempts to change peer groups, they could find smoking to be a barrier to acceptance. The performance enhancement is minimal after the first few cigarettes a smoker has in their lifetime; from that point on, it is just a perception of enhancement based on the memory of those initial cigarettes. Weight loss and stress relief could be as effectively obtained by other, healthier means. Therefore the only valid advantage is if a smoker really enjoys the taste, but one has to wonder if they don’t enjoy the taste of the cigarette merely because they cannot taste anything else. The disadvantages to smoking are far more numerous, and much harder to argue against, a sampling of them include: * Death from disease caused by smoking * Diseases (even if they don’t cause death) * Lung Cancer * Throat Cancer * Mouth Cancer * Many other types of cancer have also been linked to tobacco use * Emphysema * COPD * Asthma * Decreased lung function * Advanced signs of aging * Cost of cigarettes, applicable taxes and paraphernalia such as lighters * Decreased acceptance by non-smoking peers * The lingering odor of smoke on body and clothing * Lowered ability to exercise due to inability to breathe * Cost of stop-smoking aids when the decision to quit is made It is clear that the disadvantages of smoking far outweigh any perceived advantages. While there is a cost associated with quitting, over time the damage smoking had done to the body can reverse itself if a person ceases tobacco use. This puts that cost into perspective, especially when compared to the thousands of dollars spent every year on smoking. With all the disadvantages to continued smoking and no real advantages to it, isn’t it time you saved your health and your money by putting in the effort to become tobacco-free? How To Quit Smoking†¦And Quit For Keeps U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service National Institutes of HealthINTRODUCTIONThis guides you from thinking about stopping through actually doing it – from the day you quit to quitting for keeps. It gives tips on fighting temptation – and what to do if you give in – and on avoiding weight gain (a handy Snack Calorie Chart is included). By telling you what to expect, it can help you through the day-to-day process of becoming and remaining a nonsmoker.Here you’ll find a variety of tips and helpful hints on kicking your smoking habit. Take a few moments to look at each suggestion carefully. Pick those you feel comfortable with, and decide today that you’re going to use them to quit. It may take a while to find the combination that’s right for you, but you can quit for good, even if you’ve tried to quit before.Many smokers have successfully given up cigarettes by replacing them with new habits, without quittin g â€Å"cold turkey,† planning a special program, or seeking professional help. The following approaches include many of those most popular with ex-smokers. Remember that successful methods are as different as the people who use them. What may seem silly to others may be just what you need to quit – so don’t be embarrassed to try something new. These methods can make your own personal efforts a little easier.Pick the ideas that make sense to you. And then follow through – you’ll have a much better chance of success. PREPARING YOURSELF FOR  QUITTING†¦ * Decide positively that you want to quit. Try to avoid negative thoughts about how difficult it might be. * List all the reasons you want to quit. Every night before going to bed, repeat one of the reasons 10 times. * Develop strong personal reasons in addition to your health and obligations to others. For example, think of all the time you waste taking cigarette breaks, rushing out to buy a pack, hunting for a light, etc. * Begin to condition yourself physically: Start a modest exercise program; drink more fluids; get plenty of rest; and avoid fatigue. * Set a target date for quitting – perhaps a special day such as your birthday, your anniversary, or the Great American Smokeout. If you smoke heavily at work, quit during your vacation so that you’re already committed to quitting when you return. Make the date sacred, and don’t let anything change it. This will make it easy for you to keep track of the day you became a nonsmoker and to celebrate that date every year.| | | KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT†¦ * Have realistic expectations – quitting isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible either. More than 3 million Americans quit every year. * Understand that withdrawal symptoms are TEMPORARY. They usually last only 1-2 weeks. * Know that most relapses occur in the first week after quitting, when withdrawal symptoms are strongest and your body is still dependent on nicotine. Be aware that this will be your hardest time, and use all your personal resources – willpower, family, friends, and the tips in this booklet – to get you through this critical period successfully. * Know that most other relapses occur in the first 3 mo nths after quitting, with situational triggers – such as a particularly stressful event – occur unexpectedly. These are the times when people reach for cigarettes automatically, because they associate smoking with relaxing. This is the kind of situation that’s hard to prepare yourself for until it happens, so it’s especially important to recognize it if it does happen. Remember that smoking is a habit, but a habit you can break. * Realize that most successful ex-smokers quit for good only after several attempts. You may be one of those who can quit your first try. But if you’re not, DON’T GIVE UP. Try again.INVOLVING SOMEONE ELSE†¦ * Bet a friend you can quit on your target date. Put your cigarette money aside for every day, and forfeit it if you smoke. (But if you do smoke, DON’T GIVE UP. Simply strengthen your resolve and try again.) * Ask your spouse or a friend to quit with you. * Tell your family and friends that you’re quitting and when. They can be an important source of support, both before and after you quit. * Alta Mira Recovery offers an inpatient nicotine cessation program designed for long-term, chronic smokers.WAYS OF QUITTING†¦Switch brands * Switch to a brand you find distasteful. * Change to a brand that’s low in tar and nicotine a couple of weeks before your target date. This will help change your smoking behavior. However, DO NOT smoke more cigarettes, inhale them more often or more deeply, or place your fingertips over the holes in the filters. All of these will increase your nicotine intake, and the idea is to get your body used to functioning without nicotine.Cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke * Smoke only half of each cigarette. * Each day, postpone lighting your first cigarette 1 hour. * Decide you’ll smoke only during odd or even hours of the day. * Decide beforehand how many cigarettes you’ll sm oke during the day. For each additional cigarette, give a dollar to your favorite charity. * Change your eating habits to help you cut down. For example, drink milk, which many people consider incompatible with smoking. End meals or snacks with something that won’t lead to a cigarette. * Reach for a glass of juice instead of a cigarette for a â€Å"pick-me-up.† * Remember: Cutting down can help you quit, but it’s not a substitute for quitting. If you’re down to about seven cigarettes a day, it’s time to set your target date and get ready to stick to it.Don’t Smoke â€Å"Automatically† * Smoke only those cigarettes you really want. Catch yourself before you light up a cigarette out of pure habit. * Don’t empty your ashtrays. This will remind you of how many cigarettes you’ve smoked each day, and the sight and smell of stale butts will be very unpleasant. * Make yourself aware of each cigarette by using the opposite hand or putting cigarettes in an unfamiliar location or a different pocket to break the automatic reach. * If you light up many times during the day without even thinking about it, try to look in a mirror each time you put a match to your cigarette – you may decide you don’t need it.Make smoking inconvenient * Stop buying cigarettes by the carton. Wait until one pack is empty before you buy another. * Stop carrying cigarettes with you at home and at work. Make them difficult to get to.Make smoking unpleasant * Smoke only under circumstances that aren’t especially pleasurable for you. If you like to smoke with others, smoke alone. Turn your chair toward an empty corner and  focus only on the cigarette you are smoking and its many negative effects. * Collect all you cigarette butts in one large glass container as a visual reminder of the filth smoking represents.JUST BEFORE QUITTING†¦ * Practice going without cigarettes. * Don’t think of NEVER smoking again. Think of quitting in terms of 1 day at a time. * Tell yourself you won’t smoke today, and then don’t. * Clean your clothes to rid them of the cigarette smell, which can linger a long time.ON THE DAY YOU QUIT†¦ * Throw away all your cigarettes and matches. Hide your lighters and ashtrays. * Visit the dentist and have your teeth cleaned to get rid of tobacco stains. Notice how nice they look, and resolve to keep them that way. * Make a list of things you’d like to buy for yourself or someone else. Estimate the cost in terms of packs of cigarettes, and put the money aside to buy these presents. * Keep very busy on the big day. Go to the movies, exercise, take long walks, go bike riding. * Remind your family and friends that this is your quit date, and ask them to help you over the rough spots of the first couple of days and weeks. * Buy yourself a treat or do something special to celebrate.IMMEDIATELY AFTER QUITTING†¦ * Develop a clean, fresh, nonsmoking environment around yourself – at work and at home. Buy yourself flowers – you may be surprised how much you can enjoy their scent now. * The first few days after you quit smoking, spend as much free time as possible in places where smoking isn’t allowed, such as libraries, museums, theaters, department stores, and churches. * Drink large quantities of water and fruit juice (but avoid sodas that contain caffeine). * Try to avoid alcohol, coffee, and other beverages that you associate with cigarette smoking. * Strike up a conversation instead of a match for a cigarette. * If you miss the sensation of having a cigarette in your hand, play with something else – a pencil, a paper clip, a marble. * If you miss having something in your mouth, try toothpicks or a fake cigarette.Avoid temptation * Instead of smoking after meals, get up from the table and brush your teeth or go for a walk. * If you always smoke while driving, listen to a particularly interesting radio program or your favorite music, or take public transportation for a while, if you can. * For the first 1-3 weeks, avoid situations you strongly as sociate with the pleasurable aspects of smoking, such as watching your favorite TV program, sitting in your favorite chair, or having a cocktail before dinner. *  Until you’re confident of your ability to stay off cigarettes, limit your socializing to healthful, outdoor activities or situations where smoking isn’t allowed. * If you must be in a situation where you’ll be tempted to smoke (such as a cocktail or dinner party), try to associate with the nonsmokers there. * Try to analyze cigarette ads to understand how they attempt to â€Å"sell† you on individual brands.Find new habits * Change your habits to make smoking difficult, impossible, or unnecessary. For example, it’s hard to smoke when you’re swimming, jogging, or playing tennis or handball. When your desire for a cigarette is intense, wash your hands or the dishes, or try new recipes. * Do things that require you to use your hands. Try crossword puzzles, needlework, gardening, or household chores. Go bike riding; take the dog for a walk; give yourself a manicure; write letters. * Enjoy having a clean-mouth taste and maintain it by brushin g your teeth frequently and using a mouthwash. * Stretch a lot. * Get plenty of rest. * Pay attention to your appearance. Look and feel sharp. * Try to find time for the activities that are the most meaningful, satisfying, and important to you.When you get the crazies * Keep oral substitutes handy – try carrots, pickles, sunflower seeds, apples, celery, raisins, or sugarless gum instead of a cigarette. * Take 10 deep breaths and hold the last one while lighting a match. Exhale slowly and blow out the match. Pretend it’s a cigarette and crush it out in an ashtray. * Take a shower or bath if possible. * Learn to relax quickly and deeply. Make yourself limp, visualize a soothing, pleasing situation, and get away from it all for a moment. Concentrate on that peaceful image and nothing else. * Light incense or a candle instead of a cigarette. * Never allow yourself to think that â€Å"one won’t hurt† – it will.About gaining weightMany people who’re considering quitting are very concerned about gaining weight. If you’re concerned about gaining weight, keep these points in mind: * Q uitting doesn’t mean you’ll automatically gain weight. When people gain, most of the time it’s because they eat more once they’ve quit. * The benefits of giving up cigarettes far outweigh the drawbacks of adding a few extra pounds. You’d have to gain a very large amount of weight to offset the many substantial health benefits that a normal smoker gains by quitting. Watch what you eat, and if you’re concerned about gaining weight, consider the following tips:Tips to help you avoid weight gain†¦ * Make sure you  have a well-balanced diet, with the proper amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. * Don’t set a target date for a holiday, when the temptation of high-calorie food and drinks may be too hard to resist. * Drink a glass of water before your meals. * Weigh yourself weekly. * Chew sugarless gum when you want sweet foods. * Plan menus carefully, and count calories. Don’t try to lose weight – just try to maintain your prequitting weight. * Have low-calorie foods on hand for nibbling. Use the Snack Calorie Chart to choose foods that are both nutritious and low in calories . Some good choices are fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, low-fat cottage cheese, and air-popped popcorn without butter. * Take time for daily exercise, or join an organized exercise group.| 5 Simple Methods to Treat Smoking Addiction By Waqar Akhtar Smoking addiction popularly refers to the formation of an uncontrollable urge to smoke nicotine-induced tobacco cigarettes. This usually causes smokers of all ages to become dependent on cigarettes down to the point where kicking the habit causes severe mental, emotional, and even physical reactions. Various studies have presented statistical research that claims 2 out of 5 smokers may have higher percentages of dying at an early age due to their smoking addiction or by other causes related to smoking such as heart disease and cancer. Only a small percentage of those who have tried to quit smoking have succeeded to kick the habit. Based on various studies, 2 out of 30 smokers may stop smoking in an indefinite or permanent amount of time as opposed to the others who may stop the habit of smoking nicotine-induced cigarettes in intermittent periods of a day to a month or more. Here are some tips for those who want to quit smoking: 1. Motivation is key – this means that you should always be highly motivated to resolve your addiction on your own. You should make it a point to feel the urge to quit smoking more than the urge to smoke a few cigarettes a day until you attain your intentions of totally eradicating the addiction from your system. Gradually reducing your cigarette consumption may just lead to binges here and there, so you should set a schedule wherein you intend to completely stop smoking and stick with it at all times. 2. Support helps – this means that you should seek a support group amongst your family and friends. They will often  at times be very accommodating of your needs when it comes to your purpose of kicking your smoking addiction. They may avoid smoking whenever you’re with them since this would help reduce your cravings for cigarettes. This would also inform them about your intentions that would lead them to understand the changes in your personality since it has been known that withdrawals from nicotine-induced cigarettes often lead to irritability and depression among other emotional and mental symptoms. 3. Medical assistance is an option – this means that you should consider consulting with your physician when it comes to quitting. This is because smoking addiction is now treated as a medical condition just like other addictions to regulated substances such as heroin and cocaine. These medical specialists may offer you support in terms of prescribing drugs and dietary programs that best suit your intentions of kicking the smoking habit. 4. Calculate the cost of your addiction – this can help some smokers to get rid of their smoking addiction once and for all, but it may not work for others. You need to think about the money you spend for financing your deadly habit, and the various things you could gain by channeling your ‘cigarette money’ to your family’s needs. You need to set up some sort of financial plan to best support your intentions of getting rid of your smoking addiction since this would add to the advantages you could gain once you successfully kick the habit out of your system. 5. Consider the health of others – this is especially effective for smokers who live with their family and children. As passive smoking is more of a risk to children and adults alike than smoking itself, you should think about the people you endanger along with yourself whenever you smoke a cigarette at home or wherever you are with them.