In the present days of Drug addictuion and Abuse menace, Smoking, though considered to be a sort of minor vice, nevertheless can be the beginning also in the form of an entry to some other major vices leading to other addictions. Smoking, the act of inhaling the fumes from a burning substance, usually tobacco.
     This 20th century phenomenon is a personal and environmental pollutant of major medical consequence. But since its origin there has never been an AntiSmoking campaign so strong as it is today, particularly so in the western countries. Research and Scientists have shown the world that smoking is one of the major Health Hazard of today. In industrialised nations Smoking is the principal cause of Preventable Diseases, Disability and Premature Death.
     Unfortunately, in our country a common man's awareness of smoking and its risk is very poor, In the interest of community health and service, I consider it an honourable duty to impart the basic knowledge of Cigarette smoking and its consequences to smokers and public at large.
     In almost all the Drug Addicts one common thing can be found that they all were basically Smokers First and then shifted to other potent drugs, That's why I feel that apart from the efforts of De- addiction, it is necessary to strive against basic smoking if one is really interested in working against drugs.
     The adverse effects of tobacco smoking totally outnumber those of other atmospheric pollutants. In the European Union, disease attributable to smoking accounts for approximately 15 per cent of all deaths. Tobacco smoking has consistently been referred to "as the single most important preventable cause of premature death".
     In most countries, the percentage of people who smoke is on the decline, but in recent years the number of young women who smoke, particularly in Western Europe, has been on the increase. There has also been an increase in children who smoke.
Advice for smokers to combat the habit - The Dos and Don'ts:
Why Do You Smoke ? Ask yourself this question each time you smoke . Answer honestly to yourself .
Don't smoke in company. May smoke when alone.
Don't keep a pack of cigarettes, purchase only one when need to smoke.
Don't ask anybody e.g. peon or anybody else to get you a cigarette from the market , Walk down always to get the cigarette each time you feel the need for one as it will have an impact on you.
Don't throwaway the stub after smoking try to keep the stubs of the cigarettes in a transparent Jar and look at it & count them at the end of Day, Week or Month etc. (depending on the number of cigarettes you smoke) and analyze the worth of effort, time and money spent on all these STUBS of cigarettes. Then think of the same effort , time and money spent on something for your family and children.
Do try to spend maximum time with Non -smokers.
Do use Hukkah instead of cigarettes. Reduce the quantity of tobacco in hukkah.
Do feel free to talk to your physician regarding any problem related to smoking habit.
On stopping or reducing smoking habit there may be some withdrawl signs and symptoms such as : - Anxiety, Nervouseness, Fatigue, Irritability, Lack of Concentration, Distention of the Abdomen, Excessive Salivation, Disturbance in Sleep, Variations in Blood Pressure and Pulse Rate.
But these all last for a short while and simultaneously according to totality of symptoms some Homoeopathic Remedies can be used with great success.
Menthol Tablets :- To reduce the desire of smoking when Kali Phos fails . If you really want to give up the habit of smoking as discussed are the few remedies. Above all your own willingness is required to give up the habit of smoking. One must know well that why one want to change and give up this habit, visualize the end result, use the help, take small steps, reward oneself and be persistant.
     If you enjoy smoking the real pleasure of non smoking you cannot anticipate. You shall feel free both physically and emotionally. It is your chance to improve the quality of your present life more importantly because quitting is an exercise in self improvement and self mastery and when you stop, surely you will find it much easier to other goals.
     I am very glad to say that quite a good number of my patients and people have already given up the Smoking & Gutka etc. after my persuation and educating them in the camps we organize at OVIHAMS every month. OVIHAMS Medical Center is always ready to be instrumental in helping to quit the habit of Smoking & Tobacco Chewing in case of need to anyone.