How do I give up smoking or how do I quit smoking are things that we often ask ourselves but we find it difficult to get the answers. Let us find out how giving up smoking is easy through nicotine replacement drugs.
The 1964 Surgeon General’s Report in the USA gave conclusive evidence that smoking is injurious to health. Tobacco companies have now moved their focus to countries like India because of the control placed on tobacco advertising and public smoking in the West.
In 2008 about 37% of men and 5% of women smoke in India. There are about 120 million smokers in all with 7lakh premature deaths from tuberculosis, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Most tobacco smoking is in rural areas in the form of bidis. Read more about smoking in India
Quitting tobacco is a very hard job, but the rewards are priceless. Why is it so difficult? After years of fake controversy, it is clear that the nicotine in tobacco is addictive. That means quitting can lead to unpleasant feelings of withdrawal, both physical and psychological. Dizziness, headaches, anxiety, depression, poor sleep, increased appetite are all possible, especially in the first 3 days.
HOW TO QUIT Smoking Now
Firstly, you have to want to quit if you are serious about giving up smoking. Studies show that success requires multiple efforts in most people. When Mark Twain famously said, “Quitting smoking is easy, I’ve done it a thousand times”, the joke reflected the reality that it may take 5 or more attempts to succeed.
The benefits of quitting are immediate. Heart rate and blood pressure improve within an hour. The sense of smell is restored and food tastes better promptly. Within a year, the risk of heart attack is cut in half.
So if you or someone you know wants to quit, here are a few strategies.
First, decide to quit If loved one smokes, be aware that no one else can make that decision for him. Next, set a date Setting the goal post always helps you win,
Make an inventory of your habits—of situations and responses associated with smoking. Plan to change them A cigarette with tea or coffee? Switch the routine. Need something in the mouth? Try chewing on something else. Like to have something in your hand to help o relax or think? Get some worry beads, or a small toy or start doodling.
Seek social support: A supportive network of friends and family, or n formal support group can be critical. Doctors can have great influence too, but all too often remain silent about this problem; iIn \ nced to speak directly and repeatedly to their patients.
Sekk help if necessary Be aware that additional help is usually necessary—only a small fraction (less than 10%) is able to quite without medicines or other help. However, if medicines are used, success rates can triple.
Actlvely fight withdrawal Studies show that a number of of medicinal strategies can help. Nicotine replac replacement with tapering doses iii can allow gradual withdrawal while removing smoking rituals.
Chewing gums, lozenges, or patches are available and should start immediately on the quit date for 2 or 3 months.
Bupropion is an extended release anti-depressant which can help, but should be started 2 weeks before the quit date. A recent addition to qutting smoking is Champix(Varenciline) which can also increase the quit rates and can be used for 3 months.
