Microsoft word - smoking.doc

Nowadays, there is increasing awareness of how dangerous smoking is for our health. Smoking is restricted or banned in almost all public places. Besides, cigarette companies are no longer allowed to advertise on TV, radio, and newspaper as well as in countless magazines. The majority of people know that smoking is bad for our health but yet people are still lighting up. Why? The answer is in a word, “ADDICTION”. Consequences of Smoking
When you smoke, you're exposing yourself to more than 4,000 chemicals, including cyanide, benzene, and ammonia of which 40 of those chemicals can cause cancer. Perhaps the best known is nicotine, an addictive compound that can make it difficult to stop smoking. Over the long term, smoking leads to health problems like cancer, emphysema (breakdown of lung tissue), organ damage, and heart disease Each time a smoker lights up, that single cigarette takes about 5 to 20 minutes off the person's life Bad skin is the result as smoking constricts blood vessels preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the skin Smokers also tend to be less active than nonsmokers Smoking can also cause fertility problems and can impact sexual health in both men and women Girls who are on the pill or other hormone-based methods of birth control (like the patch or the ring) increase their risk of serious health problems, such as heart attacks, if they smoke Greater risk of injury and slower healing time. Smoking affects the body's ability to produce collagen, so common sports injuries, such as damage to tendons and ligaments, will heal more slowly in smokers than nonsmokers Poor blood circulation which results in tiredness for smokers Why Do You Need to Stop Smoking?
Reduce health complications caused by smoking Improvement in blood circulation, immune system, heart conditions Set a good example to the younger generation Better physical appearance & personality Self care
A strong mindset on quitting smoking is important Set a dateline to stop smoking completely Make a plan to find out the reasons why you smoke and when you smoke and try to change the routine based on that Tell your friends and family about your quitting plan to get their support and motivation When you feel like smoking, try to do something else, delay it, take a deep breath and drink some water Since alcohol can cause relapse, the patient should consider limiting from alcohol while quiting. Treatment
You can also contact your doctor or pharmacist if all the above methods failed. There’re a variety of treatment and medication available to assist you to quit smoking. Nicotine gum –Gum should be slowly and intermittently chewed and parked
between the cheek and gum to facilitate nicotine absorption through oral mucosa.
Nicotine patch – Simply place the patch at the start of each day at a relatively
hairless location. For the 16 hour patches, just remove the patch prior to bedtime.
Nicotine inhaler – A dose from the nicotine inhaler consists of a puff or
inhalation. This is particular useful for people that is addicted to the motion of
carrying a cigarette. Each cartridge delivers 4mg of nicotine over 80 inhalations.
Bupropion (Zyban) – Convenient oral medication for smoking cessation. Unlike
nicotine replacement products, patient should begin bupropion treatment 1-2
weeks before they quit smoking.
Checked by : Dr Chew and Camilia

Source: http://aeonretail.com.my/wellness/pdf/Smoking.pdf