The World Health Organisation has raised a fresh alarm over the effects of passive smoking in the body.
The global body on Wednesday noted that despite the ban on smoking in public places, tobacco smoking remained an epidemic that is increasing cases of killer diseases such as stroke, liver and lung cancer.
Why are WHO experts more worried about this habit than before? According to them, smoking has grave consequences not just on the health of the smoker but also on the wellbeing of those living around them, their spouses, kids and colleagues. Continue...
Family health physician, Dr. Tajudeen Awoniyi, defines a passive smoker as one who inhales and breathes in other peoples tobacco smoke. According to him, such a persons is exposed to the same health challenges as the active smoker.
He says, “As a second-hand smoker, you are inhaling almost the same amount of chemicals as the smoker breathes in. So that we are clear on the danger of this, scientific analysis shows that tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemical compounds, more than 50 of which are known to cause cancer.”
Though it is clear that smoking is bad for one’s health, what is not too clear to many is the effect it has on those who stay around smokers. The effect of tobacco exposure can be significant, especially for those who live or work with smokers.
Experts say that most of the smoke from a burning cigarette is not sucked down into a smoker’s lungs – it escapes into the air, where it can be inhaled by anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby.
Awoniyi says that people who have never smoked but live with smokers have an increased risk of developing a range of tobacco-related diseases, which include asthma, respiratory illnesses, lung cancer and coronary heart disease.
According to him, second hand smoking is the highest cause of sudden deaths in infants, who have a parent that smokes, while pregnant women, who inhale the second hand smoke of their spouses, will experience frequent miscarriages.
“Passive smoking is a cause of sudden deaths. A child who lives in a household where there is a smoker has an increased risk of developing a range of respiratory illnesses and pneumonia.
“Smokers’ neighbours will be prone to getting cold, cough and their lungs will have a reduced ability to function and grow because they are busy trying to process the smoke they inhale from the environment. A child that is exposed to second-hand smoke in the home is more likely to develop asthma,” he states.
The WHO adds that secondhand smoking has increased the population of people living with heart diseases and warns that people must protect themselves against tobacco smoke inhalation at all costs.
The body says there is evidence that passive smoking makes the blood clot and causes the levels of antioxidant vitamins in the blood to reduce – conditions that affect the blood vessels of the heart.
Awoniyi adds, “You would notice that any time you inhale smoke, you get breathless, uncomfortable and you feel like you want to choke. You experience all that reaction because the blood is not getting the oxygen that it should. This affects blood circulation. Just 30 minutes of exposure to second-hand smoke can affect how your blood vessels regulate blood flow, to a degree similar to that which is seen in people who smoke.”
The physician says studies show that passive smokers have a 20 to 30 per cent higher chance of developing lung cancer compared to those who do not inhale tobacco smoke.
They need not say more, the effect of passive smoking on those around you is a good reason to quit. Need help to break this habit, try the steps below.
Avoid alcohol
Drinking alcohol is one of the most common reasons people go back to smoking. There are several reasons why. By breaking down inhibitions, the effect of alcohol can erode your commitment to quitting. The act of drinking alcohol is also associated with smoking for many people, so it may serve as a trigger.
Drink water/eat more meals
Sipping cold water can help replace the act of sucking on a cigarette. New research shows that sipping cold water through a straw releases dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical that can help ease negative moods. Eating small meals can help you get past the urge to smoke. Choose lean, healthy foods to avoid any weight gain.
Be active
Physical activity offers a powerful distraction from cigarette cravings. When your body is active, it sends out natural chemicals that help your mood and reduce your stress. Walking is one of the easiest exercises for most people, but choosing a variety of activities may help you stay motivated. Especially during the first few weeks after quitting, set aside time to be physically active every day.
Limit caffeine
Caffeine helps some people get going in the morning and stay alert when they are tired. But caffeine can make some people feel tense, jittery, and stressed. These effects can be amplified when you are in the process of breaking nicotine addiction. If caffeine negatively affects you, try cutting back to see if it helps reduce your anxiety.
Meanwhile, in the days leading up to your quit-smoking day, begin cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day.
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