Smoking is regarded as a global affliction that has serious consequences on the individual's as well as the non-smokers' health and on the health system as well as the economy of a country. It is estimated that smoking-related deaths would increase from 4 million in 1998 to 10 million by 2030.
According to statistics, Malaysia had 3.6 million smokers in 2000. This number is expected to increase to 4.6 million by 2025. The statistics also stated that about 49% of the men aged 15 years and above were smokers in the year 2000 and that the number will show a decrease to about 30% by 2025. On the other hand, women smokers 15 years of age and above will constitute about 4% of the total number of women in 2025.
The aggressive effort by tobacco companies to create smokers is assumed to be the main reason for the anticipated increase in the number of woman smokers . If no real effort is made to counter this, Malaysia will have more smoking-related deaths in future.
Deaths
Although smoking-related deaths are expected to decrease in developed countries, in developing countries, the number is expected to increase to 7 deaths out of every 10. This striking comparison is chiefly the result of effective campaigns conducted in developed countries to spread awareness about the dangers of smoking. The success had been such that the international tobacco companies have been forced to concentrate their marketing ventures in developing countries.
If individuals do not get into the habit of smoking in their youth, they would probably never smoke as adults. Studies show that most of these people start smoking before they are 25 years old. In developed countries, 8 out of 10 smokers start smoking in their youth.
Between 1984 and 1996, a developing country such as China saw a dramatic increase in new smokers in the age group of 15 to 19 years. According to a study conducted by the Global Youth Tobacco Survey on 50,000 youths aged between 13 and 15 years from 20 developing countries, 24% of the respondents admitted to having tried smoking and 9% of the respondents admitted to being addicted to cigarettes. Out of those addicted, 25% had started smoking at the age of 11 while 75% confessed to wanting to stop the habit.
Incorrect Information
There are many reasons why smoking starts so early among the young. Chief among them is the promotions by tobacco companies that project a positive and appealing image of smoking. Glowing information about the enjoyment and satisfaction derived from smoking and an image of success and self-control projected by the mass media have all helped to obscure the fact that smoking endangers health.
The rosy images given to the youth are not coupled with information about diseases related to smoking and about the ban on smoking in public places. Most youngsters do not even know that smoking can cause addiction, right from the first cigarette. A U.S. study published in September 2000 showed that the nicotine in cigarettes caused a higher degree of addiction as compared to the addiction caused by heroin or alcohol.
According to this study, 32% of smokers would become addicted as compared to 23% of heroin users, 16% of cocaine users and 15% of alcohol drinkers. Another study conducted on 681 youths, aged between 12 and 13 years, showed signs of addiction in 95% respondents after they smoked their first cigarette.
Control
It is important to make the youths understand that every attempt to smoke at this age usually results in addiction. Steps should be taken to inform them about the seriousness of the after-affects of smoking.
The natural curiosity of the young makes them want to smoke. The Malaysian government has tried to stem this curiosity by implementing the Tobacco Products Control Act 1993, which forbids the sale of cigarettes to individuals less than 18 years of age.
Another effective way of controlling this problem is to impose a high tax on cigarettes. Therefore, youths will find it difficult to purchase cigarettes because of their limited resources. Stricter control is required on the sale and purchase of cigarettes.
Common diseases that are related to smoking are heart attack, cancer and blocked arteries. These are also the main causes of deaths in Malaysia . The nicotine in cigarettes is addictive and can cause cardiovascular problems. Tar, which is another component in cigarettes, can cause cancer. Carbon monoxide can cause cardiovascular problems.
Risks of smoking
Cigarettes can cause the following:
Cancer of lungs, mouth and bladder
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Heart attack
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Breathing problems such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema
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Stroke
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Other problems such as peptic ulcer and pregnancy complications
Smoking not only affects those who smoke (active smoking) but also those who are nearby (passive smoking), including babies and children.
Are you addicted to smoking?
To determine whether you are an addict, please answer the following questions and rate yourself as stated:
Fagerstrom Questionnaire
After waking up in the morning, the time you take before smoking the first cigarette is:
Within 5 mins
|
3 |
6 to 30 mins
|
2 |
30 to 60 mins
|
1 |
After 60 mins
|
0 |
Is it a problem for you to visit places where smoking is forbidden?
Smoking at which of the following times would you find the most difficult to forgo?
The first cigarette in the morning
|
1 |
Cigarette at other times
|
0 |
How many cigarettes do you smoke in a day?
31 or more
|
3 |
21 to 30
|
2 |
11 to 20
|
1 |
10 or less
|
0 |
Do you smoke more often within an hour after waking up compared to other times?
Do you smoke even when you are so sick that you cannot get up all day?
Compare the marks that you obtained with the chart below:
If you scored That indicates
| 0 to 3 |
Low level of addiction
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| 4 to 5 |
Average level of addiction
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| 6 to 10 |
High level of addiction
|
To know about products that can help you give up smoking, please see below.
Seven ways to help you stop smoking:
• Clear and remove all evidence . Throw away all cigarettes in your possession.
Make notes of encouragement and reminders . Write notes, such as “You are now a non-smoker”, and stick them at prominent places, such as the bedroom wall or the desk.
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Do it now. Stop smoking on the day you decide to. Don't stop gradually.
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Concentrate on the day . ( needs explanation )
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Think positive. Think of yourself as a non-smoker. When offered a cigarette, say, “I don't smoke”.
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Obtain support. Inform your family, close friends and colleagues and tell them to help you get rid of this habit.
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Fight the urge. No matter how desperate the need to smoke, don't give in.
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Fight the urge. No matter how desperate the need to smoke, don't give in.
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If you suddenly have an urge to smoke, say to yourself “Wait!”
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Take a deep breath, hold it for five seconds and release it slowly.
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Drink lots of water. Avoid drinking coffee, tea or cola, which contain caffeine.
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Fill your time with activities. This is important so that you do not think about smoking. Some of the activities you can perform are gardening or reading.
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Exercise at least three times a week for 20 minutes.
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Wash you hands or take a shower whenever you have the urge to smoke.
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Chew something such as carrots or chewing gum.
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Pray so that you have the determination to break the habit.
Among the products in the market that can assist you to stop smoking are:
Initial stage of quitting
For some smokers, the initial stages in their efforts to stop smoking are the most difficult. Initial nicotine withdrawal symptoms include the tendency to become angry quickly, difficulty in controlling feelings, inability to concentrate, tendency to worry and difficulty in sleeping in addition to cough, decreased pulse rate and increased appetite. Usually, these symptoms disappear after three to four weeks.
