Smoking: Don't allow your life to go up in smoke!

Although most of us are aware of the health dangers associated with smoking, millions of South Africans still light up. This is unfortunate because smoking puts you at risk of developing illnesses such as lung cancer, chronic lung diseases and heart disease. Research shows that cigarettes will kill half of those who smoke.

As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate existing and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to explore certain important healthcare issues. This article looks at the subject of smoking ahead of World No Tobacco Day, which is on 31 May 2016.

Smoking is addictive

Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive drug that you start to crave when you are without it. This is what makes it so difficult to give up. Your body and brain soon starts to need nicotine in order to feel good, resulting in addiction.

Smoking is unhealthy

With more than 4 000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, it is no wonder that smoking represents such a health risk. Over and above lung cancer, there are a lot of other health problems you can develop if you smoke, for example:

• Colon cancer - individuals who smoke for many years have a greater risk of developing colon cancer;
• Pancreatic cancer - smoking increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer;
• Skin cancer - your risk of developing skin cancer increases;
• Diabetes risk - tobacco may raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes;
• Double colic risk - pregnant women who smoke have double the chance of having a colic baby; and
• Sexual dysfunction - smoking may contribute to sexual dysfunction in men.

Even if you prefer not to think about the harm smoking does to you, the evidence will likely stare you in the face when you look in the mirror. Smoking can cause wrinkles and pre-mature ageing, which most people want to avoid.

Your smoke affects others

Just inhaling another person's cigarette smoke can be harmful to your health. Some of the short and long-term health effects of second-hand smoke include:

• Headaches, eye irritation, a sore throat and an increased heart rate and blood pressure;
• Children who inhale second-hand smoke are more likely to develop allergies like asthma, middle ear infections and colds; and
• Exposure to second-hand smoke and smoking while pregnant are both linked to stillborn births, miscarriages and a low birth weight.

Protecting yourself

Even if you are not a smoker you are bound to encounter smokers in either your workplace or at a public place such as a restaurant. There are however some precautionary measures you can take to protect you and your children:

• Complain if restaurants are not complying with the anti-tobacco legislation. You may even consider reporting them to the authorities;
• Try to make your workplace and your home smoke-free zones. Ask your employer to assign designated smoking areas and ensure that the door to a smoking room is always closed;
• Do not be afraid to stand up for your health. Ask your friends and family not to smoke near you and your children;
• If you live with a smoker, ask them to always smoke outside and try to encourage them to quit; and
• Ask visitors not to smoke in your home.

Smokers can quit

Unfortunately, giving up smoking is not nearly as easy as starting. According to statistics, 80% of smokers have tried to quit at least once and most people quit five to seven times before they are successful. However, the good news is that if you can refrain from smoking for two years, chances are slight that you will ever start again.

The benefits of stopping

It all starts with a firm decision and an iron determination that you want to quit. Luckily there are many benefits to focus on and which should encourage you never to light up again. For example, just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure and heart rate start to return to normal. After only a day, the risk of a heart attack begins to diminish.

The long-term benefits are even greater. Fifteen years after their last cigarette the ex-smoker's risk of heart disease and cancer is almost the same of someone who never smoked.

The challenge is to get through the first couple of days, as most smokers relapse then because the withdrawal symptoms are the strongest. But if you manage to stay smoke-free for four to six weeks, the withdrawal symptoms will subside and you will begin to enjoy the benefits of being smoke free.

Your doctor can help

Find healthy ways to replace your smoking habit and remember it is a long-term commitment. You can also ask your doctor for nicotine-replacement products or smoke-ender programmes that you can participate in to help support you and keep you from relapsing.

Sources:
1. ‘The Dangers of Smoking and Quit Smoking Methods', www.quittersguide.com
2. ‘The Dangers of Tobacco', www.tobacco-facts.info/dangers_of_tobacco.htm
3. ‘Smoking', Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), pamphlet available at https://www.gems.gov.za/default.aspx?dCmybjzDVIEejQiUkLZqw+O6w9/wODuv