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World No Tobacco Day 2014: Addiction, the main reason why quitting smoking is hard

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Written By: Agencies | Updated : May 31, 2014 1:04 PM IST

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TobaccoMay 31 is the World no Tobacco Day

'It's easy to quit smoking. I have done it many times,' a famous quote by American author and comedian WC Fields Mark Twain, sums up the addictive nature of tobacco. According to a recent survey, 9 of 10 smokers do try to quit smoking, but do not succeed because of its addictive nature. Doctors say apart from strict laws to control tobacco usage and undertaking awareness campaigns on its harmful effects, the city also must have strong cessation centres.

Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, professor, head and neck department, Tata Memorial Hospital, said: 'Cessation needs to be a specialisation. Abroad, there are trained professionals, but in India there aren't many. Our medical colleges do have cessation centres, and not all people approach public hospitals for help.' The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2010 says 31.3% of current smokers and 29.7% users of smokeless tobacco, plan to quit or have thought of quitting.

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Dr Chaturvedi added that tobacco users should begin to think of quitting. Apart from government initiatives to put in place tobacco cessation centers in hospitals, the Indian Dental Association, through its Tobacco Intervention Initiatives, has been training dentist on tobacco cessation. Tobacco users only have to avail the recommended therapy for quitting. Similarly, many non-governmental organisations like Salaam Bombay Foundation have started special counselling services for helping smokers to quit. 'Doctors too can pitch in by having a two-minute talk with their patients. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen,' Dr Chaturvedi said.

As per a study by Public Health Foundation of India with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and WHO, released by Dr Harshavardhan, the Union health minister, the government of Maharashtra is losing more than Rs 7,000 crore annually on health care alone due to tobacco.

The burning facts:

  • Tobacco is the only product that has no use except causing death and disability.
  • At current rates of consumption, one billion people will be killed in this century
  • In India, there are 27.5cr tobacco users.
  • It kills every third user prematurely.
  • It's responsible for nearly 50% cancers.
  • Tobacco addiction is a disease.
  • About 10 lakh Indians die from tobacco-related diseases each year.
  • 4% of age 13-15 smoke cigarettes.
  • Revenue from tobacco is less than loss in form of death, disability and diseases.

Kick the butt

  • Go cold turkey. In the long run, it's the easiest and most effective way. Do not carry any smokeless tobacco product with you. Just quit smoking one day. Do not decide to quit tomorrow or next week.
  • Concentrate on not taking tobacco from the time you wake up till you go to sleep.
  • Work on developing the attitude that you're doing yourself a favour by not consuming tobacco. Do not feel you're depriving yourself.
  • Be aware that many routine situations will trigger the urge to smoke. Practise the Four 'D' approach: Delay the urge; Distract yourself; Drink water; Deep breathing exercise. It will help you to handle the triggers well.
  • To help avoid weight gain, eat vegetables and fruits.
  • Consider yourself a 'tobacco free'. One single re-use and you can become hooked again. No matter how long you have been off, don't think you can safely take just one puff and get away! Don't debate with yourself how much you want it.

Source: DNA

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