No Tobacco day is observed on 31 May every year, theme for this year is ‘Commit to quit’, for smokers there is no better time than now to quit smoking.
Tobacco and disease
WHO states that tobacco in its all forms kills nearly 8 million people each year. Its use leads to disability, death, and harms nearly every organ of the body. Yet, there is lack of knowledge for health risks involved among smokers.
Pakistan’s Anti tobacco campaign recognition by WHO
Pakistan has a long way to go for mitigating tobacco use. Despite that WHO has announced No Tobacco day 2021 award for Pakistan in effectively promoting anti-tobacco campaign, Tobacco Control Cell (TCC) has also played a pivotal role by organising smoke-free initiatives, also acknowledged by WHO. “Pakistan has grabbed the global award after the significant work on tobacco control through policy making as the country has set a target of reducing the number of persons consuming cigerrettes related products by up to 30 per cent by 2025,” a statement by health ministry said.
Taking the initiative
It is not easy to quit smoking and is a tedious process for most people especially with the addition of social and economic burden caused by the pandemic . Think of what kind of smoker you are and which moments of your life call for a cigarette, and why. Hence, such strategies will help identify which tips, techniques, or therapies may prove beneficial. Mostly smoking is a way of coping up with anxiety, depression or stress, thus quitting means finding different, healthier ways to cope with those feelings.
Staying committed
Avoiding common triggers, behavioral and motivational therapies have also shown promising results. It is important for smokers to reach out for right help whenever needed. all smokers can quit the eerie habit of smoking, and must find the combination of strategies that prove helpful. The most important thing is not to give up.
Dr Anis Ur Rehman
The author is contributing writer at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at anis.rehman4991@gmail.com
