Every year on March 11, we observe the ‘No Smoking Day’ as an annual awareness program to spread awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco, through cigarettes and other modes, encourage people to quit this dangerous habit and also to appreciate those who have kicked the practice in the past. Also Read: How To Quit Smoking & Chewing Tobacco
Organised by the British Heart Foundation, the campaign for ‘No Smoking Day’ began in the year of 1984 and has since become a momentous day in the wellness calendar for individuals and organisations alike. Several researches claim that smoking is one of the leading causes of death and claims many lives every year.
There is no denying that smoking is extremely dangerous for health. These tobacco products containing active ingredients like acetone, tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide can lead to a variety of ongoing complications in the body, as well as long-term effects on the various body systems. From poor vision, unhealthy teeth, anxiety, depression, bronchitis, COPD, heart disease, high cholesterol, loss of appetite, erectile dysfunction, infertility, diabetes, gum disease, pregnancy issues, mood stimulation, weakened immune system and several forms of cancer, smoking does it all. Also Read: No Smoking Day: 5 More Reasons To Kick The Butt ASAP
Every year almost 50-60% of smokers try to get rid of this addiction but it is that easy. Being extremely addictive, it is a crucial task to finally quit the habit but there is first for everything and in this case, you gift yourself a healthy future free of several health complications.
If you are one, planning on to quit this dangerous habit, once and for all, this article will help you lead the way:
Nicotine Patches
Nicotine patches are the most preferable choice among ex-smokers in the initial stages since they mostly work by carrying a small amount of nicotine through the skin to reduce the cravings. This therapy generally works with subsequent lower doses of nicotine over time, so that even though slowly, the addiction is curbed. The patch therapy usually takes 10-15 days.
Nicotine Gums
Just like the patches, these chewing gums have some amount of nicotine in them to give the recent ex-smokers a flavour. The gum therapy also progresses through a series of increasingly lower doses to help reduce the craving and slowly wean the ex-smokers off of this habit.
Nicotine Lozenges
Smoking can sometimes be as arduous to break as the nicotine addiction itself. The lozenges are another such nicotine replacement product, that induces small amounts of nicotine in the body and helps to bring this addiction under control. Initially, 10-20 lozenges are taken with a subsequent decrease in the number lozenges, over time to slowly stop consuming nicotine.
Prescription Medications
In certain cases, the addiction is so much that a replacement therapy doesn’t work. In such scenarios, doctors prescribe for anti-depressant medications, which works by targeting the part of the brain that responds to nicotine and helps to gradually get rid of the addiction.
Quitter’s Circle
It is a type of mobile application that recent ex-smokers can download as it delivers daily tips to comfort the transition to non-smoking. Basically, it is a type of platform that has tracking features, the ability to devise goals and a place where one can get connected to other ex-smokers and build a “quit team” of friends and family who support the efforts.
