Quit smoking, live longer
The hospital’s smoking cessation programme is now open to the public
As booze was once again prohibited to curb the spread of Covid-19 with South Africa in the throes of the third wave, smokers were relieved that cigarettes sales were still allowed.
But the South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and other health experts still encourage people to quit smoking. With not many programmes available to help people with nicotine addiction, Helen Joseph Hospital has started a smoking cessation programme open to the public.
Dr Anita Marais from the lung lab unit at the hospital said that tobacco is one of the world’s biggest health threats because it kills more than 8-million people globally every year.
“Tobacco smoking increases the risk for cancer, pneumonia, heart attacks, stroke and tuberculosis. It is also the biggest risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is estimated that it will be the third-highest cause of death globally by 2030.”
She said over 80% of the 1.3-billion tobacco users worldwide live in low- and middle-income countries such as South Africa, where the burden of tobacco-related illness and death is heaviest. Marais added that South Africa has a smoking prevalence of approximately 17% to 20%, meaning there are more than 7-million adult smokers.
She said that because many smokers have the desire to quit but lack the support structures and skills to stop smoking, Helen Joseph Hospital initiated the smoking cessation services in May last year.
“This programme is part of a respiratory service that already exists at the hospital. A minimal standard fee is charged by the hospital for a clinic visit – this is determined by the patient’s income. All medication is free of charge. There are no other costs,” she said.
“A patient will receive a full consultation with a doctor and then a counsellor is offered to any individual who desires to quit smoking.
“Further psychological support, medication – designed specifically to help patients quit smoking – are available and we also provide nicotine replacement therapy in the form of gum. Counselling, motivational magazines and other literature is provided free to help motivate and educate people.
“There is evidence that there is a definite increased risk of contracting Covid if you are a smoker. Smoking is associated with increased severity of the disease, admission to the intensive care unit and the use of ventilators and death if you are hospitalised with Covid,” she said.
She said, however, that during this Covid-19 third surge, they request that patients postpone their appointments until the wave subsides.