Smoking brings the state through the tobacco tax annually over 10 billion euros – and over 100.000 Tote. Years of smoking cigarettes damages the whole body, not just the lungs: It leads to hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, chronic bronchitis and lung cancer. Risk of other cancers is also increased. The skin ages earlier and looks gray and unhealthy.
The great importance of smoking for all these diseases has been proven by epidemiological studies since the 1950s: For example, a study by Sir Richard Doll on British doctors with an observation period of 40 years showed: Only one in two of the doctors who smoked more than 25 cigarettes a day, but 80 percent of those who never smoked, reached 70. Year of life. On average, a smoker loses eight to nine years of their life. The incidence of lung cancer has increased dramatically in men since 1930 and in women since 1960. This is not due to general air pollution, but primarily to the inhalation of tobacco smoke, which today is responsible for ca. is responsible for 90 percent of bronchial cancers.
The risk of developing lung cancer is calculated relatively simply according to the so-called rule of 20: If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day for 20 years, your risk of developing lung cancer is 20 times higher than that of a non-smoker of the same age. Cigarette smoking is an addictive disease, comparable to addiction to other drugs. The degree of addiction is measured with the Fagerstrom test. The earlier in the morning there is a strong impulse to smoke, the higher the degree of addiction. The harder it is to quit. Almost every smoker knows the dangers of his addiction, but it is often extremely difficult to give up. The World Health Organization (WHO) has long since recognized cigarette addiction as a disease.
The (apparent) advantages of smoking are undeniable
- "belongs to it"
- "get into the conversation more easily"
- "tastes me"
- "I treat myself
- "sweeten my breaks"
- "if I don’t smoke, I will gain weight"
- "I can stand stress more easily with a cigarette"
90 percent of all smokers want to quit, but which methods really help? It has been shown that distinctions between effective and non-effective methods are possible. Prerequisite is that the smoker has the firm will and makes the decision to stop smoking. So-called "passive" Methods like acupuncture, hypnosis etc. have not been able to prove their success in studies. Intensive support and guidance from a doctor increases the likelihood of success, and is particularly important in the first few days and weeks. But it should also be available on demand weeks and even months later.
Assured methods of tobacco cessation are:
Behavioral therapy
Simple behavioral therapy can reduce cigarette consumption and prepare for quit smoking day. The patient fills out a self-observation sheet every day and notes the reason for smoking and the degree of craving for each cigarette.
Nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine as a patch, gum, lozenge (prescription). The right dosage and quantity control are the key factors here.
Zyban ® is the first prescription nicotine-free tablet for smoking cessation. It dampens withdrawal symptoms in the brain. The active ingredient buproprion imitates the effects of nicotine there without containing nicotine itself.
Cessation pays off immediately!
Quickly the negative signs of smoking will disappear and the risks will be reduced and eventually eliminated
- after only one day of quitting smoking the risk of heart attack decreases
- two days after quitting smoking, your sense of smell and taste is refined
- rapid improvement of lung function
- positive and more attractive self-image: fresher and livelier breath, more beautiful and fresher skin
- Fresh air in the home and car
- Money saving
Light smokers can manage to quit on their own! The firm decision is the most important condition. Then they set their stop-smoking day, throw away all cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters the night before – and are non-smokers as of tomorrow.