Smoking is an addiction and one of the most preventable causes of premature death in the Pakistan. Smoking cigarettes exposes the smoker to over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic. Smoking causes a vast majority of cases of lung cancer.
Smoking also causes other cancers, including mouth cancer, kidney cancer, esophagus cancer, throat cancer and pancreas cancer.
Another dangerous substance produced by smoking is carbon monoxide which lowers the amount of oxygen in the blood. Smoking harms not just the smoker, but also family members, co-workers, and others who breathe the smoker’s cigarette smoke, called second hand smoke or passive smoke.
One billion people will die from tobacco-related causes by the end of the century if current consumption trends continue, according to a global report. These tips can help people quit smoking: Try to find the things in your daily life that you often do while smoking (such as drinking your morning cup of coffee or driving a car).
Keep your cigarettes in a different place. Smoke with your other hand. Don’t do anything else when you are smoking. Think about how you feel when you smoke.
Smoke only in certain places, such as outdoors. Try to think of something to do instead of smoking. For example, you might chew gum or drink a glass of water. Switch to a brand of cigarettes that you don’t like.
SYED AHMAD JAFFER
Lahore
