Quitting smoking, it should not be a drag

Every individual has a right to good health and smokers who are determined to wean themselves off the smelly, unhealthy and increasingly costly habit of smoking need help.

The benefits of being free of tobacco are obvious, an ex-smoker will be better off physically, financially and socially.

Freed from second-hand smoke, the people around the ex-smoker will be able to breathe easier and the environment also benefits from not having toxic cigarette butts littering the place.

Cigarette smoke is toxic and contains over 4000 chemicals and gases, like tar and carbon monoxide that damages the heart and lungs.

The smoke also contain cancer causing compounds which affects the liver, cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, cancer and other health problems.

Nicotine itself is a very potent and addictive compound that can cause dependency even by just smoking a few cigarettes.

Stop smoking and the person can expect to be feel, anxious, impatient, depressed, irritable, unable to concentrate, sleepless and restless, these symptoms may last from 2 to 4 weeks.

Weight gain is to be expected as the appetite is no longer suppressed by smoking, a keener sense of taste and smell coupled with the need to compensate for not smoking leads to more eating.

When a person wants to quit smoking in Malaysia, they can do so in 3 ways.

The “cold turkey” option is to totally cut out smoking on a stated date. This method is for the those who are supremely motivated, have an iron will and able to endure the withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches, gums, lozenges and inhalators provide a supply of nicotine to the person looking to gradually quit smoking.

The third option is oral medication that reduces the effect of nicotine on the brain while relieving the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Quitting smoking is the hardest thing most former smokers say they have ever done.

Pharmacists who have trained in smoking cessation programs can help to educate people who are trying to give up smoking, help guide them in making the suitable choice of cessation methods, offer encouragement and solutions to ease the side effects of quitting smoking.

While pharmacists who have not undergone such training may not be as adept in helping those wanting to quit smoking they are still able to give prudent, sensible advice on the matter.

Pharmacists are easily accessible, an advantage, to the public who find it convenient and comfortable to seek advice and counselling from a pharmacy setting.

So quitting smoking should not be a drag, just try speaking to your pharmacist to see how they can help.

This is only part of the service offered by pharmacists at CARiNG PHARMACY. For further advice or to learn more about what we can do for you, our pharmacists and trained staff are always in store to help.