Tobacco contains the chemical nicotine. Smoking cigarettes leads to a dependence on nicotine. Cessation of smoking leads to physiological symptoms of withdrawal. It is believed that very few smokers can successfully quit the habit in their very first attempt. Many studies indicated that many smokers find it difficult to quit, even after they get afflicted with tobacco related diseases. A serious commitment and resolve is required to arrest nicotine dependency. Tobacco use leads most commonly to diseases affecting the heart and lungs, with smoking being a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and cancer (particularly lung cancer, cancers of the larynx and mouth, and pancreatic cancer).
- Cold turkey
- Cut down to quit
- Pharmacological
- Psychosocial approaches
- Smoking cessation services
- Self-help
- Substitutes for cigarettes
- Alternative medical approaches
- evidence-based interventions to help smokers quit
- policies making workplaces and public places smoke-free
- voluntary rules making homes smoke-free
- initiatives to educate the public regarding the health effects of secondhand smoke
- Immediate effects of smoking cessation include:
- Within 20 minutes, blood pressure decreases, pulse returns to its normal level
- After 8 hours, carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal, oxygen level increases
- After 24 hours, chance of heart attack starts to decrease; breath, hair and body stop smelling like smoke
- After 48 hours, damaged nerve endings begin to recover; sense of taste and smell improve
- After 72 hours, the body is virtually free of nicotine; bronchial tubes relax, breathing becomes easier
- After 2–12 weeks, lungs can hold more air, exercise becomes easier and circulation improves
Longer-term effects include:- After 1 year, the risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half
- After 5 years, the risk of stroke falls to the same as a non-smoker
- After 10 years, the risk of lung cancer is cut in half and the risk of other cancers decreases significantly
- After 15 years, the risk of coronary heart disease drops, usually to the level of a non-smoker
RiskPrevent is ready to assist employees in their effort to stop smoking. Quarterly classes and an ongoing support group for smoking cessation will begin in 2011. Keep visiting this site for more information. - References:
http://quitsmoking.about.com/od/tobaccorelateddiseases/a/smokingrisks.htm
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