World No Tobacco Day: Break Down Tobacco Usage Myths, Before it Breaks You Down

Team Udayavani, May 31, 2017, 3:31 PM IST

World No Tobacco Day is being celebrated today, May 31. Here are some key points to remember with regard to tobacco consumption…

Myths Associated with Tobacco Use
 –I smoke only because I don’t want to be spoil-sport when all my friends smoke and won’t get addicted.

Tobacco is one of the most addictive substances and 1 in 3 people (32%) who ever used tobacco in any form become dependant to the substance. In our country 70 out of 100 people who smoke want to quit smoking, 20 of them try but only about 2 actually succeed in quitting. So it is smarter to ‘say no’ in the first place and encourage your friends to quit smoking rather than for you to start smoking.

–Smoking may cause lung cancer. Smokeless tobacco is not harmful.
Both smoking (cigarettes and beedis) and smokeless forms of tobacco cause serious health adverse effects. Chewing tobacco is actually main cause for oral cancer

–Many celebrities smoke and are healthy. Why shouldn’t I? It is cool to follow my role models.
Smoking in any form makes the person look and feel older than his age. Tobacco use in any form increases the risk of having high BP, heart attacks, stroke, weak bones, diabetes, impotence, miscarriages and birth defects. It can also cause frequent infections due to reduced immunity. So it is not all so glamorous to imitate celebrities in smoking!!!

–I smoke only 2-4 cigarettes per day while I know many people who do a pack per day. So I will not have any major health issues.
Individual body response to tobacco use varies, and it can be harmful even at very low levels in some individuals.

— I quit smoking 5 years ago. The cough and breathlessness I am experiencing now may not be linked to it. I need not tell my doctor that I used to smoke.
Certain ill effects of smoking like damage to lungs may be irreversible and may manifest later. Talking to your doctor about tobacco use will help your doctor in ordering the right investigations for proper diagnosis and managing your condition optimally.

–I have been a smoker for 10 years now. If some damages are irreversible why should I quit smoking/tobacco?
Cigarettes are a cocktail of close to 200 harmful chemicals all of which damage our lungs which eventually may lead to heart failure if you continue to smoke. Almost every organ in our body is affected by tobacco use. However quitting tobacco use improves overall health and reduces serious health risks significantly in the long run. The levels of harmful chemicals in the body come down within 8-10 hours after quitting. By 5-15 years after quitting tobacco chances of getting a heart attack, stroke or lung cancer is almost like in a non-smoker. Although some damage is already done the benefits of quitting tobacco is several times higher than the risks posed by continuing tobacco use.

–My family’s health will not be affected by my smoking
The ill effects of second hand smoking where people around you are affected by the smoke that you exhale is well known. Even third hand smoking where nicotine that deposits on the clothing, upholstery etc causes harm is also documented. Nicotine clings to your clothing and hair even if you smoke outdoors and you will be carrying it with you back home.   So tobacco is not good for anyone. Starting from people employed in beedi rolling task to the people who breathe the air in a room with nicotine laden sofas and upholstery suffers from the ill effects of nicotine. Your child   ASTHMA and any other airway related problems could be due to Second and Third hand Tobacco smoke.

–How long will it take for me to get over my tobacco dependence/addiction?
Withdrawal symptoms usually last less than 4 weeks. These symptoms can be handled effectively by using a combination of Behaviour therapy, Inhalers, Nicotine Replacements to control cravings, Anti Depressants to reduce anxiety and Depression. You may take several weeks- months to completely get over the habit and will require following up regularly with professionals to deal with symptoms. Techniques like group interventions and right use of drug therapy improves chances of quitting

Doctors play a very important role in actively identifying tobacco addition in patients and guiding them through the quitting process. It is important that you to discuss your tobacco use (Past/Current) with your doctor when you visit them for any ailments/Medical issues  and get advise regarding handling the dependence.

BY Dr. Chetan Kumar N.G., MBBS, MD (Respiratory Medicine)