By Dr Anis Ur Rehman
Smoking certainly is the leading cause of statistics. It is the single most common source of preventable diseases and deaths all around the world.
Today, you turn me into ashes, but tomorrow is my turn!
- Cigarette
Today, many tobacco users are motivated to quit smoking amid Coronavirus Pandemic because of concerns that they may have a greater degree of illness. Unarguably, the best decision a smoker can make is to quit the habit, NOW!
Rationale for Smoking
There isn’t any justification for someone to commence the habit of smoking; however, recent trends suggest a drastic rise in young smokers, even in Pakistan.
Several reasons they are influenced are peer pressure, adult smoking, media, and advertisement. Inhalation of nicotine products rapidly activates pleasure-producing areas of the brain that develops a sensation of relieving stress among smokers.
Facts to deal with smoking
In this time and age, people are well aware of the deadly diseases or at least some of them caused by smoking ( Cancer, Coronary artery diseases, COPD, etc.). However, most are unaware of the psycho-social impact. Smokers push their lifestyle out of their comfort zone then dwell with an uncherished and unpopular lifestyle.
Why do you need to Quit now?
Pakistan already has a huge burden on its health-care system. Smokers contribute to it.
With every puff of a cigarette, the damage is done to the smoker and people who share the same space. Family and social circles invariably become passive smokers.
The need to be economical is now more than ever, but smokers have a prodigal habit and spend extravagant money on packs to puff.
Besides all health issues, smokers show early signs of ageing that may prove detrimental to their physical appearance.
The Bright side
The good news is that no matter how much you have smoked, the body starts to repair itself once you stop. In fact, right after 20 mins of smoking the last cigarette, the body blood pressure and heart rate return to more ‘normal,’ gradually your risk of smoking-related illness reduces, even so, the risk of Lung cancer becomes equivalent to that of a non-smoker after 10 years after your last cigarette.
Many Alternative nicotine therapies and methods have surfaced for the cessation of smoking. Quitting can cause mild irritability, anxiousness, and food cravings. But, it’s not about withdrawal symptoms rather internal motivation that can lead to discontinuation of smoking.
-The author is contributing writer at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at anis.rehman4991@gmail.com
