Smoking increases risk of death from all causes for both men and women. It increases the risk for heart disease and stroke up to 4 times, development of lung cancer up to 25 times more. It also increases the risk of developing other forms of cancer in different parts of the body.
Raising awareness of smoking cessation programs in the Philippines is critical to the health of our society. As it is, tobacco continues to be a significant health concern in the country, affecting 321 Filipinos daily due to its links to a multitude of health problems. By participating in smoking cessation programs, you’re contributing to the improvement of our country’s quality of life and decreasing tobacco-related health issues.
To help you break your smoking habits, this blog discusses the reasons to stop smoking and the benefits quitting can bring to your life. We go into how The Medical City’s smoking cessation program can help you stop your tobacco dependency and guide you through the process.
Tobacco smoking is one of the biggest causes of preventable deaths worldwide. It affects both smokers and non-smokers because of its prevalence, causing more than 8 million premature deaths per year. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been proven that the risk of smoking can worsen your resistance to the disease. Due to your decreased lung capacity, you are likely more susceptible to COVID-19.
The negative effects of smoking on COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases are one of the main reasons you should quit this habit. It causes a majority of lung cancer deaths (90%) and deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (80%).
Other serious effects of smoking you should take note of are:
Smoking can also negatively affect your hygiene, decreasing your quality of life on a daily basis.
The reasons to quit smoking extend beyond personal health and well-being. Not only does smoking significantly increase your vulnerability to diseases like lung cancer, but it can also affect those around you. From the devastating consequences for newborns to the persistent odor and cosmetic concerns, smoking greatly diminishes your lifestyle.
Once you’ve decided to quit smoking or started the process of quitting, there are multiple benefits you can expect that improve your life.
Remember, the decision to quit smoking is powerful, and each passing second without cigarettes is a step toward a life filled with vitality. Your body and your quality of life will thank you for making the choice to quit.
Here at TMC, we are committed to helping you effectively stop tobacco smoking. Our START ANEW (Smoking and Tobacco Addiction and Relapse Therapy for A Nicotine-Free Way of Life) Program aids you in becoming and staying smoke-free, making you better prepared to deal with significant lifestyle changes. Our program centers on education and motivation, providing you with individual counseling and psychosocial support groups to help you quit smoking and maintain a “non-smoking” status for life.
With START ANEW, you can explore your smoking habits and your other psychological and behavioral motivations behind smoking. A support group and designated physician can help you through the smoking cessation process, along with assistance through pharmacologic treatments.
The program has a total of 5 sessions. After the initial assessment, there are regular follow-up visits for the whole year during the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months.
Throughout the program, you have access to:
And by the end, there’s an assessment with a psychologist to know your progress with smoking cessation. In case you relapse or need more sessions, the program is equipped to help you.
If you’re interested in joining START ANEW, you can visit your pulmonologist so they can refer you to the pulmonary laboratory of The Medical City for enrollment. You can also proceed to the pulmonary laboratory of the hospital on the 2nd floor for direct inquiries and sign-ups. There, you can avail of all the 5 sessions or choose which sessions you feel that you need at the moment.
For more information about our START ANEW Program, you can contact us or visit our Pulmonary Diagnostic and Therapeutic Center.