MANY THINGS THAT HELP TO KICK THE BUTT

Most often people quit tobacco only to relapse faster than they had quit. It leads them to frustration and loss of confidence. On this World NoTobacco Day, we must understand how a person gets addicted to tobacco.

Most people take to smoking because of peer pressure or experimentation. But it, later on, leads to frustration and a desire to quit, mostly due to health reasons. The only wish is someone to help quit successfully.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had recognised tobacco as a complex disease that needs treatment. All tobacco users will have some other disease. So it would be better to commit early to quit smoking.

So why do people find it so difficult to quit smoking? There are two main reasons. One, nicotine affects the brain causing physical dependence, leading to severe cravings. Two, it is the psychological misconception of tobacco users that they can quit with willpower alone.

For quitting smoking, one needs to have a proper assessment and grading of tobacco addiction, which will help a Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialist to finalise an appropriate treatment required. A tool — an Android app ICANCARE — is available to assess the willpower, addiction level and type of tobacco dependence of the person.

One can follow the ICanCaRe 7Ds of quitting tobacco by drinking plenty of water, deep breathing exercise, delay, distract, diet, discuss and use drugs for comorbidities and symptom relief.

— The author is a director of surgical oncology at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, Patparganj and

Noida.