Smokers have also become numb to our reminders of concern for their safety and health. In a study conducted by the World Health Organization, it was discovered that “about one third of the male population in the world smokes” which is equivalent to around 1.1 billion people worldwide. The study also showed that “every eight seconds, someone dies because of smoking-related diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and heart diseases.” The most alarming fact from the WHO study said that almost 80,000 to 100,000 children start smoking at the early age of nine.
In the Philippines, data shows that 28.3% or 17.3 million Filipinos of the adult population currently smoke with 47.6% from the male population and 9.0% from the female population. Other data indicate that 48.8% or 29.8 million Filipinos allow smoking in their homes and 96.2% of smokers bought their last cigarettes in a store and 53.7% of adults said they had noticed cigarette marketing in stores where cigarettes are sold. Further, it was revealed that exposure to SHS was 55.3% in public transport, 33.6% in restaurants, 25.5% in government buildings and 7.6% in health care facilities.
This poses a great alarm to all of us as we, non-smokers are also affected through what we call the “secondhand or passive smoking.” It is defined as the smoke exhaled by the smoker combined with the smoke created by a lit cigarette. Secondhand smoke is dangerous to anyone who breathes it in since it is full of toxins which are considered carcinogens. This is also known as ETS or environmental tobacco smoke, and it gives higher risks to children whose bodies are still developing physically.
So, how can a smoker be able to quit smoking? Dale Mazurek, an ex-smoker who takes in 2 packs of cigarettes a day for 30 years, shares how he was able to stop the deadly habit of smoking. Nicotine inhalers, gums and e-cigarettes have helped him quit smoking. These, according to him “helped” him on his endeavor of quitting smoking, and he says smokers must have the determination and motivation to really stop smoking.
Also, during the first few days of not smoking, it is recommended for those who wish to quit smoking to take plenty of juices such as cranberry juice which will help stabilize blood sugars. Baking soda should also be added to your dietary consumption since it increases the pH in the urine which results to a decreased craving for nicotine. Alkaline-forming foods such as spinach, raisins and almonds should be preferred to acid-forming foods, like meat, greasy snacks and sweet soft drinks, as these will only intensify your cravings. Drinking alcohol should also be avoided “because not only is it a fact that when you drink alcohol is when you're most likely to want to smoke, but without alcohol the body's alkaline balance will improve more rapidly, thus diminishing cravings.” And last but equally important in the journey of quitting smoking is a regular exercise which will help you achieve a healthy heart rate and reduce stress levels.