World No Tobacco Day: Pledge together to “Commit to Quit”

May 29, 2021

“The problems caused by tobacco consumption were never a secret. However, the atrocities caused by COVID-19 in recent years has motivated more and more people to quit tobacco and lead a healthy life.”

New Delhi, May 29, 2021:

Tobacco causes over 8 million deaths every year. 28.6% percent of population in India, that is 1 in every 5 use smokeless tobacco and 1 in every 10 people smoke, which is a very alarming number.  In order to reduce these numbers, and to draw global attention to the tobacco epidemic WHO started the World No Tobacco Day and it is celebrated around the world every year on May 31.

Tobacco affects every single cell in our body and the consumers end up facing risk of severe respiratory or heart diseases. Tobacco causes almost all cancers either directly or indirectly. It is the leading cause of lung cancer and possibly the only causative factor to cancer that has been conclusively proven- increases the risk to more than 50 percent. Other common cancers include head and neck cancers, specifically throat cancer and mouth cancer. Related to the present pandemic, smokers also have a 50% higher chance of developing severe issues due to Coronavirus disease with increased risk of hospitalization and need for ventilator.

The silver lining is that it is preventable and in many cases the damage is reversible. So, quitting and motivating people to quit is one of the best things anyone can do to keep themselves safe and healthy.

Quitting is not an easy task. Cravings and urges for tobacco can be very powerful. However, with sheer determination and external support, one can always commit and win against the addiction. As Edith Zittler said,

“The best way to stop smoking is to just stop – no ifs, ands or butts.”

This World No Tobacco Day, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched the “Commit to Quit” Campaign to help 100 million people wanting to quit. Under the campaign, they have strategized various initiatives to support people wanting to quit.

Quitting tool kit (WHO):

  1. a)Set a quit date – choose a date which is significant in your life like your anniversary/birthday/birthdays of family members which will motivate you to commit
  2. b)Tell your friends, family, and co-workers – they will be support system
  3. c)Remove tobacco products from your environment
  4. d)Lastly, the most important step – curb your cravings

 QUICK TIPS TO CURB YOUR CRAVINGS:

  1. a)Delay: Delay the urge by keeping yourself busy, have a lollipop/chips/gum etc
  2. b)Deep breathing:  Take a deep breath for 10 secs which will help you reduce your anxiety
  3. c)Drink water: Drink a lot of water
  4. d)Do something else to distract yourself: Go for a walk, watch tv, play a sport, spend time with family
  5. e)Pharmacotherapy – WHO recommends the use of nicotine patches and gums but they are more effective when prescribed by your doctor based on your dependence.

 Benefits of quitting:

  1. a)20 min –  your heart rate drops
  2. b)2 weeks upto 3 months – Your heart attack risk begins to drop Your lung function begins to improve
  3. c)1 yr upto 5 yrs –  Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s
  4. d)10 yrs – Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s
  5. e)15 yrs  – Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a non-smo ker
  6. f)The younger the age you decide to quit, the longer your life expectancy

healthysoch

Stay informed with the latest news from HealthySoch. Sign up today for exclusive insights and updates!

We promise we never spam!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Health Tips

Dr. T S Kler Padma Bhushan Awardee
MD, DM, MRCP, FRCP(U.K), FACC, D.Sc
Chairman – Fortis Heart Institute Gurugram

Precautions to avoid Corona Virus:

  1. Stay home as far as possible.
  2. Wash hands with soap and water frequently.
  3. Keep distance from people even your home members.
  4. Keep atleast 1-2 metres away from anybody coughing.
  5. Don’t touch your face, nose and mouth.

 

Dr. K.K Says

Archives

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    123
45678910
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
26272829   
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
45678910
11121314151617
25262728293031
       
  12345
6789101112
13141516171819
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
3031     
     12
17181920212223
24252627282930
31      
   1234
567891011
12131415161718
2627282930  
       
1234567
891011121314
22232425262728
293031    
       
     12
3456789
17181920212223
24252627282930
       
  12345
6789101112
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728     
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
   1234
567891011
       
282930    
       
    123
45678910
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
3031     
    123
11121314151617
       
28      
       
2930     
       
    123
       
       
       
      1
9101112131415
3031     
     12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
242526272829 
       
  12345
13141516171819
2728293031  
       
      1
23242526272829
3031     
    123
       
    123
25262728   
       
78910111213
28293031   
       
293031    
       
14151617181920
28293031   
       
   1234
567891011
       
   1234
567891011
262728    
       
891011121314
293031    
       
    123
18192021222324
25262728293031
       
  12345
27282930   
       
      1
2345678
16171819202122
3031     
    123
45678910
18192021222324
       
28293031   
       
     12
31      
   1234
       
  12345
6789101112
       
HealthySoch

Don't Miss

Medica Superspecialty Hospital celebrates the Brain Tumour Bravehearts

India healthysoch New Delhi, January 31, 24: Medica Group of

2nd World Integrated Medicine Forum 2019 from 23-25 January, 2019 in Goa : Shripad Naik to inaugurate

New Delhi, January 20, 2019 : Union Minister of State