Smokers are at health risks if they smoke. Many are prone to lung cancer, heart diseases and strokes. Physicians advise that smoking is injurious to health. Under such circumstances, smoking cessation seems to be the right thing to pursue. One should try to give up smoking completely. Not an easy task, but nevertheless one can still make an honest attempt to do so. Will power is required to overcome the addiction. What does smoking cessation involve?
Tips for Smoking Cessation
- One needs to fight nicotine addiction, which contains chemicals which are bad for the health
- One needs to understand how to use nicotine replacement products
- Will power needs to be strengthened
- One can go in for cognitive therapy to break the smoking habit
- Quit over a period of time. Let it be a slow process
Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation
- One reduces the risk of dying prematurely
- Risk of coronary disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease is reduced. Within 1 to 2 year of cessation, the risk of coronary heart disease is reduced
- Respiratory symptoms are reduced, such as wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath
- Heart rate and blood pressure which are abnormally high during smoking come down after one quits smoking
- Pregnant women who quit smoking reduce the chances of delivering a baby of low weight and there is less risk of infertility
- Brief clinical intervention of health providers also helps
- Telephone counseling is considered to be effective
- Non-nicotine medications are available
Challenges Faced in Smoking Cessation
- One experiences withdrawal symptoms. One feels sad, anxious and depressed
- One also tends to gain weight. There is an increase in appetite
- One finds it difficult to give up smoking due to the addiction. Much effort is required
Smoking cessation is indeed difficult. Smokers prefer to continue their habit, irrespective of the risks it poses to their health. Yet, medical advice favors quitting smoking.
