Where there is a will, there is a way!

Tobacco kills as it is injurious to health! How many times have you noticed this disclaimer when watching a movie in a theatre or buying a packet of cigarettes?

Do these taglines also come to your mind when you passively inhale smoke because your colleague, friend, or a fellow passenger smokes and you are unable to avoid their company?

If not, then there is a reason to worry. Tobacco is the single largest cause of preventable death worldwide, and second-hand smoke is a serious health hazard for those regularly exposed to it. According to WHO, tobacco causes about 10% of all deaths each year, and 1/6 of those occur due to passive smoking.

Smoking is the biggest risk factor contributing to heart attacks, strokes, lung diseases (COPD, bronchitis, emphysema), gastric ulcers, and cancers of the mouth, throat, lungs, and pancreas. Cigarettes contain carcinogens that damage every organ in the body. When lit, cigarettes generate more than 4000 chemicals, out of which 69 are known to cause cancer.

This is alarming as India is home to 12% of the world’s smokers, and tobacco accounts for 1 in 5 male deaths in the country. Tobacco smoke affects the cardiovascular system, digestive system, hair, nails, skin, respiratory system, reproductive system, and nervous system, damaging major body functions.

But there is hope. If you want to quit, vow to kick the habit and stay committed. Remember, Where There is a Will, There is a Way! You certainly don’t want to become weak, wrinkled, and diseased in the prime of your youth. Believe in yourself, control temptations, maintain a calendar from the day you quit smoking, tell friends and family about your intention, build a support group, and if needed, seek professional help.

Narayana Health Network Hospitals across India offer tobacco cessation clinics for people addicted to smoking or chewing tobacco. Want to quit? Reach out to the nearest NH Hospital.

Switch To Say No Tobacco