Smoking is an unhealthy addiction that can affect your lungs in a very big and negative way. The effects of smoking range from long term illnesses to lessened lung function. So let’s get a deeper insight into the negative impacts on your lungs as well as some helpful suggestions for kicking that dangerous habitAccording to S.C Sharma (Therapist and Naturopath expert), Smoking is the main cause of COPD, a collection of serious lung diseases, the most common ones being chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This is because smoking can harm airways and the lung tissue and so symptoms such as chronic cough, shortness of breath and excess mucus develop over timeSmoking and lung cancer — one of the deadliest types of cancer. Chemicals in tobacco smoke change the lung cells and cause tumors to grow. Smoking cessation leads to low chance of developing lung cancer The history of World No Tobacco Day dates back to 1987 when the World Health Assembly passed a resolution calling for a global initiative against the tobacco epidemic. In response, the WHO announced May 31 as World No-Tobacco Day to mark the anniversary of the acceptance of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003. This treaty is the first international agreement aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and its devastating health
The smoke from cigarettes causes the air passages to narrow because of irritation and inflammation. This causes impaired lung function which in turn can make it difficult to breathe, leading conditions such as wheezing and chronic bronchitisSmoking does reduce the immune defense forces in your respiratory tract, increasing the likelihood of getting infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Smokers have to face more critical and longer-drawn sickness than the non-smokersSmoking speeds up the aging process in our lungs causing early aging signs like wrinkles on the air sacs. This diminishes flexibility of the lungs and impairs their ability to exchange air and carbon dioxide effectivelyDecide on a specific date to stop smoking, and start along that smoke-free path The significance of World No Tobacco Day lies in its focus on the prevention and control of tobacco use, which is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. The tobacco industry also contributes to environmental degradation and the exploitation of vulnerable communities. World No-Tobacco Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and to advocate for effective policies and programs to reduce tobacco consumption
Tell friends or family about this decision so they can support youTo help manage withdrawals, think about choosing NRT products such as patches, gum or lozenges. Talk to a medical professional for adviceTalk with your physician about drugs, for example, bupropion or varenicline, to enable you to abstain from longing and indications of withdrawal.Attend support groups or seek therapy to help deal with the mental sides of addiction and build coping mechanismsIdentify triggers (situations, emotions or routines) that cause you to smoke. Replace these triggers with healthy alternativesWorkout regularly to relieve stress, feel better and take the mind off of cravingsAvoid smoking environments and keep your house and car toxin free It’s a journey, and road bumps will happen. Allow yourself to be patient in the process and see relapse opportunities as lessons to add weight to your determination As discussed, we can utilise this day by understanding how tobacco negatively impacts our health. One such way in which smoking affects us is by worsening lung health. Keep reading as we discuss other ways in which tobacco and smoking affect our health
Be proud of every smoke-free achievement — one smoke-free day, one smoke-free week, one smoke-free month. Treat yo’self for your perseverance and accomplishmentsBear in mind that stopping smoking is tough, but saves lives! In learning what smoking does to your lungs, and using these cessation techniques, you’ll be taking the first step toward a healthier, smoke-free life. And your lungs will be very grateful to you for itDisclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice. Please consult a doctor before following such tipsWe Need Food, Not Tobacco” is the theme for this year’s World No Tobacco Day. The 2023 global campaign intends to encourage tobacco growers to produce nutrient-dense, sustainable crops by increasing awareness of alternative crop production and marketing prospects. Additionally, it will strive to highlight the tobacco industry’s tactics to obstruct initiatives to replace tobacco farming with environmentally friendly crops, which would worsen the world food crisis
Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, by damaging the inner lining of arteries, narrowing blood vessels, and increasing blood pressureSmoking affects the digestive system by increasing the risk of stomach and pancreatic cancers. It can also cause ulcers, acid reflux, and other digestive disordersSmoking affects fertility in both men and women. It can cause erectile dysfunction in men and reduce sperm count and motility. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, and other complicationsOverall, smoking is a major risk factor for many different health problems besides lung disease. Quitting smoking is one of the best things a person can do to improve their health and reduce their risk of developing these conditionsSmoking weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections and diseases. It also delays healing after surgery or injuryAs discussed, we can utilise this day by understanding how tobacco negatively impacts our health. One such way in which smoking affects us is by worsening lung health. Keep reading as we discuss other ways in which tobacco and smoking affect our health