You have most likely seen that “Smokers are liable to die young” warning on the packs of cigarettes. It is not just a bunch of words. Smoking tobacco is very dangerous for your health.
But that does not seem to stop many people, does it?
WHO reported in 2020 that tobacco kills more than eight million people every year, and worldwide, about 1.3 billion people are tobacco users.
There are many forms of tobacco like water pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco products, pipe tobacco and so on, but none is as famous as cigarette smoking.
Tobacco is dangerous in whatever form, no matter what method is used to ingest it. Some health problems that can arise from tobacco usage include Cancer, Heart disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary diseases and Pregnancy complications.
Smoking tobacco can also increase the risk of stroke, brain damage, cataracts, tooth decay, and even hearing loss.
World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day is marked every year to draw attention to the prevalence of tobacco use around the world and the diseases and deaths it can cause.
This year’s World No Tobacco day theme is “Commit to quit”.
Tips for Quitting Tobacco
Quitting tobacco use can be difficult, especially when you have used it for a long time. However, it is not impossible. If you are deciding to commit to quitting tobacco, here are some tips to help you on your journey:
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Be patient with yourself:
Quitting a habit you have had for years is not a day’s job. There will be hard days and relapses and you need to be prepared. Manage your expectations and be kind to yourself. Go at your own pace. Do not try to rush the process.
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Be positive:
There will be days when you will feel like giving up and returning to your old habits. Remember why you started in the first place and assure yourself that you can achieve your goal of a healthier life.
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Eat balanced diets and stay hydrated:
When you quit, your body begins to rid itself of toxins from the cigarettes. You will need the energy from balanced, healthy meals to keep your strength up. Carrots, oranges, ginger spinach, and cranberries will help your body detox. Drinking water also helps and speeds up this detoxification process.
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Exercise regularly:
You will need to keep your body and mind occupied during this process. Exercise has great benefits for your mental health, and it will reduce the risk of depression and other negative emotions that may come with withdrawal from tobacco use.
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Take vitamins daily:
Smoking robs your body of essential vitamins like vitamins A, C and K in your body. Those vitamins will need to be replenished. Alongside healthy foods, you can also take multivitamins daily to help regain your energy.
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Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs:
These substances can trigger your cigarette cravings and make it harder to achieve your goal. Try to limit and if possible, altogether avoid these triggers.
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Accept emotional support from your loved ones:
Involve your loved ones in your journey. Let them know what you are trying to do. Getting encouragement and being reminded that you are loved can help when trying to quit a bad habit. It would help if you had all the support you can get from your family and friends.
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Get help from a doctor, counsellor or support group:
Seeing a professional who is experienced in treating people like you can help you. Support groups can also help. Just being around people who are trying to quit smoking can encourage you, and you may even make some new friends.
Smoking is a dangerous habit and deciding to quit is the best thing for your organs and health in general. Do not become part of the statistics of individuals losing their lives to tobacco use yearly. Commit to quitting and living healthy. A healthy lifestyle is the best kind of lifestyle.
If you need medical advice on quitting cigarette smoking and tobacco use, speak to a doctor on Doctall.
