Editor
30-May-2020
This World No-Tobacco Day 2020, where most of us are in lockdown, Dr. Ravi Gaur, Chief Operating Officer, Lab Director Oncquest labs tells you why this is the right time to quit tobacco.
With the lockdown happening for more than a month and shops are closed down, smokers are forced to stop smoking. As a result, even though with difficulty, quitting smoking during lockdown seems to be the best option because if one can go without smoking for a month then why not forever? COVID-19 has taught almost everyone the importance of immunity and healthy practices for oneself and quitting smoking comes under healthy practices. Lockdown is the most appropriate time to launch a drive, Smoking ko Karo na, and to make people aware of the bad effects of tobacco.
One needs a powerful, yet strong personal reason to quit smoking. Lockdown means spending most of the time with the family, dear ones, and in isolation. By smoking, they are exposing their families more to second-hand smoke. Many times, smoking, is a social activity among friends and colleagues. With social distancing in place, gatherings being banned, it’s most opportune time to “Kick the butt”. And if you want to embark on a journey of quitting this harmful habit, the conditions could not be more conducive. About 55% of smokers and nearly 50% of smokeless tobacco users are interested in quitting the habit or plan to do so, as per the GATS report. The report adds, it is estimated that more than 1.3 million people in India die of health issues caused by tobacco use every year, and of them, 1 million deaths can be attributed to smoking and the rest to the use of smokeless tobacco products. The more popular tobacco products in India are smokeless. Khaini and gutka, followed by paan, tobacco, products for oral application and paan masala.
• During COVID-19, times when the infected person spits, the saliva loaded with virus forms droplets in the air and risks the entire population in the sphere of influence. A public awareness drive and better indusial resolve will help to reduce or even stop the use of tobacco products. Time to ban the tobacco!
• Smoking suppresses immunity, increases the risk of being infected with diseases related to respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 or tuberculosis. Smokers are susceptible as fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) come in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of the virus from hand to mouth.
• Smoking may raise the risk of the virus by elevating enzymes that allow the coronavirus to gain access into lung cells. Smokers and people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may have elevated levels of an enzyme called ACE-2, which helps the virus enter cells in their lungs, where it replicates, a study published in the European Respiratory Journal.
Quitting smoking brings heartbeat normal in 20 mts, within a day blood levels of carbon monoxide fall, in few weeks your risk of getting a heart attack reduces and finally over a long period of time you reduce risk of getting lung, oral and other cancers. Lockdown time should be used to launch a nationwide campaign to rid India of tobacco – once and for all. The temporary ban on the selling of tobacco has come as a blessing in disguise. Use Lockdown to Knockdown smoking!
If you are determined and care for yourself and your loved ones, Keep trying to quit! You’ll eventually succeed.
Disclaimer: This article is authored by Dr Ravi Gaur, Chief Operating Officer, Lab Director Oncquest labs. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not represent those of GlobalSpa.
