World No Tobacco Day, 31 May 2014

 Quit smoking in the name of your health 

Although most of us are aware of the health dangers associated with smoking, about 22 percent of the population still cannot resist lighting up. That means approximately five million South Africans are still at risk of developing smoking related illnesses like lung cancer, chronic lung diseases and other cardiovascular problems.

31 May 2014 marks World No Tobacco Day and if you are a smoker or subjected to second-hand smoke, be aware. According to official statistics about 25 000 South Africans die of smoking related illness annually - and if you smoke, you could be one of them.

"Inhale deeply and appreciate your lungs. You would not deliberately walk in front of a moving vehicle, then why would you want to smoke and poison your lungs in a willing act that may result in your death?" asks GEMS, South Africa's second largest medical scheme.

Although the percentage of South African smokers declined from 35 percent in 1995 compared to the current 22 percent, GEMS would like to take this opportunity to again inform its members on the harmful effects of smoking. After all, the best way to ensure you do not get addicted is to never start. These reminders will hopefully assist you in curbing the craving of lighting your first cigarette and even to quit smoking altogether.

What smoking does to your body
Considering the fact that there are more than 4 000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, it is no wonder that smoking causes so much damage to your body. But over and above lung cancer, there are a lot of other onslaughts on your body and cancer risks caused by cigarette smoke, for example:

• Colon cancer - according to an article on health24.com, people who smoke cigarettes for 20 years or more are about 40 percent more likely to die of colon cancer;
• Breast cancer - although smoking is not usually associated with breast cancer women who have smoked heavily for years may have a greater risk of developing the disease;
• Pancreatic cancer - smoking increases the risk of developing pancreatic cancer;
• Skin cancer - your risk of developing skin cancer increases with every cigarette you smoke;
• Diabetes risk - tobacco may raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes;
• Low sperm count - if you smoke while you are pregnant you could reduce the fertility of baby boys;
• Double colic risk - pregnant women who smoke have double the chance of having a colic baby. 

But even if you prefer not to think about the harm smoking does to your organs and unborn baby, the evidence will stare you in the face when you look in the mirror. Smoking causes wrinkles and pre-mature ageing most women will definitely try to avoid. Even if you are male and you do not care about wrinkles, keep in mind that smoking (and drinking) affect erectile dysfunction.

What your smoking does to others
Just inhaling another person's cigarette smoke can be harmful to your health. In fact, according to the Cape Town No-Tobacco Forum Task group, you have smoked 36 cigarettes if you spend eight hours in a smoke-filled room.
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;
• Exposure to second-hand smoke and smoking while pregnant are both linked to stillborn births, miscarriages and a low birth weight.

What can you do about second-hand smoke
Even if you are not a smoker you are bound to encounter smokers in either your workplace or even at a restaurant. There are however some precautionary measures you can take to protect yourself and your children:

•  Report restaurants that do not comply with the Tobacco Legislation.
• Try to make your workplace and your home smoke-free. 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. It is not rude to ask your friends and family not to smoke close to you or your children.
• If you live with a smoker, ask them to always smoke outside - and help them quit.
• Ask visitors not to smoke in your home.

How do I quit if I am already a smoker?
Unfortunately giving up smoking is not nearly as easy as starting. According to statistics, 80 percent 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 slim that you will ever start again. And it can be done!

It all starts with a firm decision and iron determination that you do want to quit. Luckily there are many benefits to focus on and 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 your last cigarette ex-smokers 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 managed 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.

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 other programmes that you can participate in to keep you from relapsing. You can also phone the National Council Against Smoking for assistance and advice on 011 702 3145.

The way forward
The emphasis on this year's World No Tobacco Day falls on tobacco health warnings. With South Africa complying with a strict anti-tobacco law, we will soon see graphic warning pictures on cigarette boxes replacing the written warning messages. This is pertinent as, according to studies, 90 percent of people start smoking before the age of 18. The warning pictures, that will range from lungs infested with cancer to a teddy bear with a cigarette to remind you not to smoke near children, will hopefully stop youngsters from picking up that first packet of cigarettes.

Worldwide fifteen countries - including Australia, Belgium, Canada and Thailand - use picture-warning messages. According to studies in Canada, the picture warnings are more effective and it will hopefully have the same effect locally.

With all this in mind, let us make a renewed effort to remind our children and friends that it is definitely not worth it to start smoking. And if you are a smoker, quit today in the name of your health.
If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to quit smoking, you can phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your health and well-being.