Smoking and quitting

Most smokers try at some point to quit smoking. Smoking a cigarette after a meal, during a break, or while drinking a beer is a habit for many people. However, there are many good reasons to quit smoking: for example, smoking increases the risk of developing various diseases and is also quite expensive. However, it is not always easy to break a habit like smoking. It often takes multiple attempts.

Smoking is unhealthy. Smokers are more susceptible to infectious diseases like the flu, colds, and pneumonia, among other things. Smoking can also lead to a chronic cough and lung disease. Smoking also negatively affects physical fitness and damages the cardiovascular system. This can lead to complications like heart attack and stroke.

The risk for numerous types of cancer, particularly lung cancer and malignant tumors of the mouth and throat, is also increased in smokers.

Smoking also promotes gingivitis and periodontitis and affects overall tooth health.

Wounds heal more slowly in smokers resulting in the additional risk for complications after surgery.

Smoking during pregnancy impacts the development of the unborn child. Nicotine and harmful substances from the smoke reduce the supply of oxygen. That is one of the reasons why pregnant women who smoke are more likely to miscarry. There is also an increased risk that the child will be premature, too small, or weigh too little.

Once someone has become addicted to nicotine, it is very difficult to quit smoking. Therefore, it is best to never even start smoking. However, a majority of smokers start smoking in their youth. Young people are often not particularly worried about their health.

Many parents wonder how they can stop their children from starting to smoke. On the one hand, parents should be aware of the important function of role models: having parents, siblings, or friends who smoke makes a person much more likely to begin smoking. On the other hand, it is good for parents to have an open and honest conversation with their children about the risks posed by smoking. Tip: it is often helpful to be patient, to listen, and to avoid criticism.

There are various ways and strategies for giving up smoking. Asking for help at an early stage is not a sign of weakness. After all, quitting smoking always presents a considerable challenge. And, the sooner you quit smoking, the better this is for your health. Many people find it easier with support, although multiple attempts are usually still needed. For example, doctors, health centers, and self-help groups can provide support. Quality-approved smoking cessation programs are sponsored by health insurance providers.

When quitting, nicotine replacement therapy can relieve the physical symptoms of withdrawal and increase the chances of successfully stopping smoking for good. Tobacco is replaced by nicotine patches or gum, for example. Certain medications can help with withdrawal.

E-cigarettes may help some people to quit smoking tobacco. Their steam contains fewer toxins than tobacco smoke. However, they are not completely harmless – their steam contains harmful substances and usually also nicotine. People who use e-cigarettes to help them stop smoking should therefore use them for a limited time only. If they are used in addition to regular cigarettes, the impact on health may increase depending on the user’s smoking habits.

Heated tobacco products are not suitable for people trying to quit nicotine or tobacco.

For more information about quitting smoking, visit gesundheitsinformation.de.

Most people who successfully stop smoking gain some weight. This may be noticeable in the first year in particular. The reason for this is not only that smoking suppresses the appetite, so that people who no longer smoke eat more food or have more frequent snacks but also that their metabolism changes. The changes in weight can vary greatly. Some people do not gain any weight while some lose weight and others gain more than 5 kilos.

Without question, it is healthier to gain a little weight than to continue smoking. Metabolism and weight can normalize again over time.