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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 22, 2014 4:53 PM IST
In a major blow to cigarette smokers in Rajasthan, the state government-owned electricity companies have decided not to offer jobs to people who either smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco products. 'A directive in this regard is expected to be issued soon,' a source in the state energy department told IANS. A state-level committee for tobacco control October 2012 recommended that no person should be offered a government job if he or she smokes or chews tobacco. A circular in this regard was issued November 2013, just before the assembly election, but some of the departments are yet to implement it.
Candidates seeking jobs in these electricity firms will first have to give an undertaking that he or she does not smoke or chew tobacco products. NGOs meanwhile hailed the decision of the power companies. 'These kind of steps would certainly help in curbing smoking and chewing of tobacco,' said Nitisha Sharma of Inaya Foundation, a Jaipur-based NGO. Sharma, however, was of the view that more steps are needed on the lines of de-addiction centres for alcoholics, so that one can stop smoking or chewing tobacco. (Read: 10 reasons smoking is bad for you)
She said there were almost negligible facilities to help tobacco users to quit the habit and there were no or few experts who can help these people quit this habit that causes cancer and kills hundreds of people every year in the country. As per an estimate, tobacco causes 40 to 50 percent of all cancers in men and about 17-20 percent in women in India. (Read: Would non-branded, plain-packaged cigarettes make you quit smoking?)
Can yoga help you kick the butt?
The first and the foremost thing you should do is to focus on cultivating inner strength. 'I WANT to quit and NEVER smoke again' should be your attitude. But in most cases people may not have that will power and quitting then becomes quite difficult. It is then that one has to keep trying with a strong resolve and understand how the habit harms the body and well-being. This switch in perception is a pre-requisite to success.
Yoga is a science of awareness. People who smoke should first try to observe and recognize why is it that they are smoking. What got them into the habit and what is it that gives them the craving for it. Is it sheer enjoyment, fashion, peer pressure, stress or any other such root factors that may lead to them wanting to smoke. Once you identify the source it becomes easier to tackle the problem.
As far as factors such as peer pressure or enjoyment are concerned, making the person aware of the ill effects can help. Many a times people may know that a certain thing is bad but may not completely realize to what extent they can be harmed. Others fear the onslaught of the withdrawal symptoms. This is where yoga comes into the picture. Techniques like slow breathing techniques, meditation and some purification methods help in overcoming the cravings to smoke.(Read more about how yoga could help you quit smoking.
With inputs from IANS
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