The act of smoking cigarettes has become quite a prevalent thing in South Africa in recent years with more and more young people putting their health at risk to consume the dangerous toxins that come with finishing a pack of cigarettes.
A 2023 study done by American advocacy organisation, Tobacco Free Kids, revealed that at least 29.4% of the population are smokers. From this, 41.7 % of the smokers are men and 17.9% are women. In addition to this, there is a growing number of children between the ages of 13 – 15-year-old, who are smokers. This currently stands at 21.5%.
According to Smoke Free Vet, many people indulge in smoking because of reasons relating to stress relief, pleasure and sometimes social inclusion. However, the habit of lighting a cigarette can become addictive due to the nicotine found on the inside of the buds.
Once addictive it becomes nearly impossible to break free from. “Nicotine is a drug that affects many parts of your body, including your brain. Over time, your body and brain get used to having nicotine in them. About 80–90% of people who smoke regularly are addicted to nicotine,” explains Smoke Free Vet.
“Nicotine reaches your brain within 10 seconds of when it enters your body. It causes the brain to release adrenaline, and that creates a buzz of pleasure and energy. The buzz quickly fades, though. Then you may feel tired or a little down—and you may want that buzz again.”
In addition to this, it poses several health risks, including lung complications and cancer.
Finding ways to quit this addiction is therefore essential to ensuring survival.
Here are tips for quitting smoking as recommended by the health publication Mayo Clinic:
Chew on it
The best way to stop the addiction is by substituting your craving with something to chew òn like gum or sweets.
Delay
When the cravings come, tell yourself that you are able to hold it for at least 10 minutes. Thereafter, try and do something to distract yourself like taking a walk or going to a smoke-free spot until the urge disappears.
Avoid Triggers
Try to avoid the spots or places you used to go to when you wanted to smoke.
If you are someone who enjoys smoking while on the phone, try to use a pen instead.
If all else fails you will need a support system to help you stay accountable.
Also see: What happens to your body when you stop smoking?
