About 9.4 per cent of Hong Kong people smoke. One half to two thirds of these dopes will eventually die because of their addiction. On average smokers die 10 years earlier than nonsmokers. Heavy smokers can expire 18 years earlier. And it’s about to become more difficult and expensive to smoke in public in Hong Kong. Why is it so hard for some people to give up?
Multiple factors influence addiction. Some people inherit genes that create more nicotine receptors, intensifying the craving. They are psychologically dependent on smoking to manage stress or anxiety. Sucking on a ciggy becomes automatic in certain circumstances — with a cup of tea or a beer, when making a phone call. For some people smoking is the primary way they relieve tension.
Ultimately quitting involves breaking physical dependence, dismantling psychological ties and changing habits, but the intensity of these challenges varies from person to person due to a mix of biology and behaviour.
Why should you quit? People who smoke smell bad: their clothes reek of the fumes; their whole body looks unhealthy; their face becomes lined even when still young. Have you ever kissed a smoker? Ugh. For women smoking will make you age faster and you will lose your natural beauty earlier. if you are pregnant smoking will harm your baby. For men smoking can cause erectile dysfunction because your cardiovascular system has been weakened by the fumes.
How can you quit? When you feel like a cigarette, delay, think about why you want to give up; distract yourself by taking a deep breath, talk to others, wash your face. Avoid triggers associated with smoke such as alcohol and caffeine drinks and an environment filled with second-hand smoke.
By smoking in their presence will you harm family and friends? Most definitely yes, especially children. A child’s physical growth can be stunted. People near a smoker frequently will have higher risk of coughing, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and heart palpitations, and long term, increased risk of cancer and heart disease as well as chronic bronchitis and worsened asthma.
How to quit? The most sensible way is “nicotine replacement therapy”. You stick nicotine patches on your skin and they release a slow dose of nicotine over as much as 24 hours reducing your craving for a cigarette. Complications can develop, however, so it is best to talk to a doctor before embarking on NRT. For example, don’t smoke while wearing nicotine patches because you can overdose.
For further advice go to NHS.UK quit smoking.
Be the first to comment