World No Tobacco Day: How To Quit Tobacco For Good?

May 31 is observed as World No Tobacco Day. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2019 is “tobacco and lung health”, focusing on the negative impact that tobacco has on people’s lung health and overall well-being. For ages, people have been using tobacco in our country in different forms. Some use it for smoking – cigarette, beedi, chillum, hooka, cigars and chutta (a homemade cigar). While others use smokeless tobacco in the form of- pan, gutka, khaini, pan masala, mishri, mawa and toothpaste with tobacco.

Many families in India earn their livelihood by making tobacco products like beedis and are assisted by their children in its production. Most of these children end up getting addicted to tobacco use in some form or the other. Children who are not active users of tobacco also suffer by inhaling tobacco flakes while making beedis, which increases their risk of getting various cancers and lung diseases.

Quitting all tobacco related products is the first step one can take towards improving their overall health. Initially, it might be difficult for people who have been smoking for years. But with determination and self-discipline, this can be achieved. Also the support of family, friends and timely professional are a key to helping an individual quit tobacco suggested by AMRI Hospitals, best hospital in Kolkata.

These steps may serve as a guide to quit tobacco

For quitting tobacco, you need to START:

S – Set a date and quit completely; simply reducing tobacco consumption would make you just bounce back. List the reasons why you want to quit and keep it with you.

T – Tell family and close friends to garner strength and support.

A – Anticipate and plan for difficult times. Keep a record of when, how much and why you smoke or use tobacco.

R – Remove all tobacco products from your vicinity.

T – Talk to your doctor to seek professional help for counselling and nicotine cravings; do not self-medicate.

Lastly, be prepared for relapse. Four out of five times the quitting trial fails! Nonetheless, keep trying.
So, START now and lead a tobacco free life on this World No Tobacco Day.

Tobacco Consumption: One of the leading causes of deaths in Bangladesh

The use of tobacco is said to be the single greatest cause of a number of deaths globally. A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that consumption of Tobacco in any form claims more than 161,000 lives every year, which amounts to around 19% of total deaths in Bangladesh. Reportedly, 41.3 million people use tobacco in the country, out of which 47.3% are smokers. Also, cardiovascular diseases are the leading tobacco-related causes of premature deaths in the country, as per the UN agency for global health.

The Tobacco Atlas data shows that more than 1, 72,000 children in the age group of 10-14 years and 2,48,80,000 adults (15+ years old) continue to use tobacco on daily basis. Also, 39.8% of adult men, 0.7% adult women, along with 1.86% boys and 0.2% girls use tobacco in Bangladesh. Apart from this, 31.5% population in the country consumes tobacco in other forms than cigarettes. Overall, the use of tobacco claimed lives of 25.54% men and 9.68% women (1, 61,200 people annually).

Certainly, there has been a massive increase in the number of tobacco users in Bangladesh. With alarming statistics, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Heart Federation (WHF) focused on ‘tobacco-related heart diseases’ as their theme for this year.

In the wake of this major concerning issue, various healthcare organizations in Kolkata observed ‘No Tobacco Day’ on May 31, 2018. Apart from creating awareness about the risks associated with tobacco consumption, health check-ups including pulmonary function tests were conducted by these organizations.

AMRI Hospital, one of the best multi-specialty hospitals in Kolkata conducted spot pulmonary function test and organized an awareness seminar along with healthcare professionals and medical students. The test was conducted among morning-walkers at the Safari through a portable PFT device.

The study of American Lung Association showed more than 7,000 chemicals generated on burning the ingredients of a cigarette. The hazardous toxins present in cigarettes make your blood thicker as they enter it.

According to Dr Shelly Shamim, associate professor and consultant pulmonologist, AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria, every component in cigarettes – nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and carbon – has a major adverse impact on the human body.

“Smoking in any form causes damage to the body. E-cigarettes that are touted less harmful than cigarettes are in fact more harmful because they have concentrated doses of nicotine. Slow ingestion of concentrated nicotine is even more harmful,” he said.

Medical experts at AMRI Hospital Kolkata emphasize that there is a direct relationship between the use of tobacco and decrease in the density of your bones. It makes you vulnerable to various chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and cancer of lung, kidney, throat, mouth, stomach and pancreas. Tobacco consumption can also lead to severe reproductive problems, cataract, and age related problems, including dental diseases and wrinkles.

“The only way to prevent cardiovascular diseases is to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes quitting tobacco in any form, and consumption of alcohol,” said Dr Sumanta Chatterjee consultant cardiologist at AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria.

SOURCE: urhealthystyle.org