Need to quit smoking, not even debatable. Health hazards of smoking are well documented. It is the leading cause of death from non-communicable diseases in the world. There are various ways to quit smoking. The health benefits of quitting smoking are enormous. Something people need to realize that this does not happen overnight – yes, there are some people who do it – but for most people to quit will take some time. Tobacco dependence is an addiction. According to WHO, tobacco dependence is a cluster of cognitive, behavioral and psychological phenomena, and this makes it difficult to quit smoking. It must be remembered that very few people could go in the first attempt.
Various methods of smoking cessation:
1. Cold Turkey – the oldest and most successful method would be “cold turkey”, which is to quit smoking, not taking any replacement nicotine. 75% of people who quit say they did it without any assistance or supplements. Coupled with therapy and intervention cold turkey is supposed to be the best way to quit.There are various web sites and phone lines to help people quit without using any drugs. Most replacement therapy refer to chemically replace the nicotine hit of smoke, but it simply means the transition from one addiction to another. One of the champions was cold turkey Allen Carr, a chain smoker who quit and went on to write the book easy way to quit smoking, which is the most popular books on smoking cessation in the world. Many people quit smoking after reading his book, and this list includes such celebrities as Ashton Kutcher, Britney Spears, Richard Branson, Anthony Hopkins and nearer home, Mahesh Babu and Hrithik Roshan. The basic principle of Allen Carr was, despite the overwhelming evidence that points to the dangers of smoking people quit because they think of retirement as “giving in” or surrender.
2. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) – NRT is the nicotine craving care, providing a replacement source without the harmful effects of tobacco. NRT were initiated by pharmaceutical company Leo Nicorette brand. He works on the principle that, although nicotine is “addictive” part of the more dangerous cigarettes are tar, carbon monoxide and other gases. Thus, providing someone with the fact that nicotine hit a period of time will allow them to go in the long run. There are various products under the umbrella of this Nicorette, which seem to help stop including – chewing gum, tablets, nasal sprays, patches and inhalers. Some electronic cigarettes also have nicotine filters. The real world studies have shown that NRT is not as effective as the drug companies say. In the real world, 95% took OTC drugs have been a relapse.
3. Other health care – a few other companies came out with smoking drugs that do not look for nicotine replacement. One such drug is Bupripion sold as an antidepressant, drugs and smoking anti-obesity pill. He works on the principle that smoking is a form of anti-depression and anti-depressants can perform the same function. Another popular drug company Pfizer Varenicline reduces cravings that nicotine exposure by less than pleasant. There are various side effects of these drugs. Varenicline is known to cause suicidal thoughts, depression, drowsiness, nausea, and USFDA even argued that this may lead to cardiovascular disease.
4. Electronic Cigarette – Electronic Cigarette is a device that simulates the whole process of smoking by creating a fog that has the same feeling (sometimes the same taste as well) from smoking. Some of them are nicotine and some of them do not.
It’s not hard to quit smoking. According to WHO, tobacco killed 100 million people in the 20th century, and one is responsible for 60% of non-communicable disease deaths. There is no moral defense for smoking and it’s time to hit the butt. If you can not do it yourself, do it for your loved ones especially children (passive smoking kills 200,000 children each year). Imagine a world without tobacco. It’s easy if you try.