Smoking and other tobacco products have significant negative impact on health including but not limited to heart disease, lung disease, stomach issues, cancers, pregnancy related complications and other unfavorable complications. Over the decades smoking has become less socially acceptable. Interestingly, one of my patients shared his story when he used to work in a factory in 1960s and that he didn’t get a break if he didn’t smoke! That’s how he picked up smoking but was able to successfully quit later! Around 23% of the world’s population smoke and often struggle to quit. It’s difficult, but not impossible!
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Leaves of the tobacco plant were originally harvested and discovered by Native Americans followed by rapid spread and popularity across the world until first US government report was published in 1964 describing impact of smoking on overall health. There are about sixty cancer causing molecules (carcinogens) in tobacco smoke that can damage human DNA and cause several mutations which in turn may lead to cell malfunction and various forms of cancers as an after effect of mutated genes. Free radicals in tobacco smoke can have negative impact on clotting function leading to blockage in blood vessels. Exposure to smoke can also damage the lung tissue and jeopardize reproductive health.
Since nicotine is very addictive, quitting is not easy and may take multiple attempts. There are several treatment options if one is mentally prepared to quit: five nicotine-based medications (gum, lozenges, inhaler, nasal spray, patch) and two non-nicotine-based medications (varenicline and bupropion SR). If you or someone you know is a smoker, remember, it is possible to quit!!
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