How to quit cigarette addictionImage Credit source: Pexels
World Health Organization (WHO) According to , even today about 26 crore people in India consume tobacco in some form or the other. The most worrying thing is that the success rate of quitting smoking is still considered very low. According to experts, about 95 out of every 100 people return to smoking after some time. There is a risk of cancer from cigarettes or tobacco products. World No Tobacco Day is celebrated every year on 31 May to save people from it or to make them aware about the harm of tobacco.
However, in view of its danger, changes are taking place in people’s lifestyle. If seen, India is fast becoming one of those countries where people are becoming more cautious about their health.
People are using fitness apps, adopting healthy diets, going to gyms and paying more attention to preventive healthcare than before. But despite all this, addiction to tobacco and cigarettes is still deeply rooted in the country. Know why people are not able to give up cigarette addiction?
Nicotine addiction is not just a habit, it is a medical condition.
Experts believe that quitting smoking is not just a matter of willpower. Nicotine addiction affects both the body and mind. This is why many people start smoking again within a few days or weeks of trying to quit.
According to Sweden’s famous WHO Medalist and Professor Emeritus Dr. Carl Fagerstrom, the biggest misconception among people is that nicotine is the main cause of diseases caused by smoking. He said, decades of scientific research shows that the main cause of serious diseases caused by cigarettes is not nicotine, but the poisonous chemicals and smoke released when tobacco is burnt. Nicotine causes addiction, but the most harm to the body is caused by the process of combustion.
This is the biggest obstacle
Experts say that while quitting smoking, people have to face many types of withdrawal symptoms. These include restlessness, irritability, headaches, frequent cravings, sleep problems and difficulty concentrating. This is the reason why most people try to quit smoking only by willpower, but are not successful in the long run.
How does nicotine replacement therapy help?
Around the world, Nicotine Replacement Therapies such as nicotine gum and lozenges are considered helpful in quitting smoking. According to several international studies, this therapy can give up to 50–70 percent better success rate than quitting attempts made without any support. According to Dr. Fagerstrom, people who want to quit smoking need to get the right amount of nicotine support so that cravings and withdrawal symptoms can be controlled.
According to him, most of the people suddenly decide to quit smoking after some health scare, difficulty in breathing or some personal motivation. At such times, it is very important to have cessation tools easily available.
The lifestyle of the youth is also being affected.
Experts say that today smoking is not only a risk of future diseases, but it is also affecting the everyday lifestyle of the youth. Problems like low stamina, poor sleep, shortness of breath, weak fitness and difficulty in stress recovery are now increasingly visible even in young people.
