No Smoking Day 2024: No Smoking Day is observed on the second Wednesday every year to help smokers who want to quit smoking and also to raise awareness about the health effects of smoking in daily life. This year, it falls on March 13.
Smoking causes various diseases and nearly harms every organ in the body. It also harms the health of smokers in general. According to the CDC, more than 16 million Americans are living with diseases caused by smoking.
Each year, more women die from lung cancer than from breast cancer. Smoking also causes around 80% of deaths (or 8 out of 10) due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, cigarette smoking increases the risk of death in both men and women.
What is History of No Smoking Day?
The No Smoking Day awareness movement was first started in 1984 in the United Kingdom on the day of Ash Wednesday and since then it has been an annual celebration event that tries to save people from the harmful effects of smoking, as per awarenessdays.com. The motto behind this day's celebration is to help people quit smoking forever. According to the researchers, this effort has proven very effective and it was observed that at least one of the ten people has given up smoking on this day.
What is the significance of No Smoking Day?
No Smoking Day holds immense significance as an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the health hazards of smoking and encouraging individuals to quit. It serves as a catalyst for positive change, motivating smokers to embark on a smoke-free journey. The day fosters a global movement, emphasizing the importance of public health and the reduction of tobacco-related illnesses. Through campaigns, educational initiatives, and support networks, No Smoking Day contributes to the ongoing battle against the tobacco epidemic, promoting a healthier society and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
Also, the day symbolizes hope, empowerment, and a commitment to a smoke-free future.
What are the health hazards of tobacco smoking?
Do you know that cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces the health of smokers in general? Smokers are at great risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as cardiovascular disease.
- Smoking causes strokes and coronary heart disease. It is said that people who smoke fewer than 5 cigarettes a day can have early signs of cardiovascular disease.
- Smoking damages blood vessels and can make them thicken and grow narrower. Because of this heartbeat becomes faster and blood pressure also increases.
- Blockages caused by smoking can also reduce blood flow to your legs and skin.
- Smoking also causes lung diseases like COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
- It can also cause lung cancer.
- Tobacco smoke increases the problem of asthma in patients and makes it even worse.
- Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body like bladder, blood, Cervix, Colon and Rectum, Esophagus, Kidney, Ureter, Larynx, Liver, Oropharynx, Pancreas, Stomach, lungs, etc.
- It can also affect the health of the bone.
- It also affects the health of teeth and hums and can cause tooth loss.
- Smoking also increases the risk for cataracts, age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- It also causes type 2 diabetes mellitus and makes it harder to control.
- It also decreases immune function and also causes rheumatoid arthritis.
How to quit smoking?
To improve health, one of the most important steps for smokers is to quit smoking. Various people who smoke become addicted to nicotine, which is a drug that is found naturally in tobacco. Due to this, it becomes difficult to quit. But there are treatments and ways to quit smoking. They are provided below:
- Some studies claim that short periods of physical activity, mainly aerobic exercise, can reduce the urge to smoke.
- Talk to the counselors individually or in a group.
- Medication can also help to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This will help a person stay confident and motivated to quit.
- Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
- Counseling also plays an important role in quitting for good.
People are encouraged to quit smoking if they are smokers and no doubt it is an opportunity for them to choose to quit. It is not an easy task for people who smoke but what is worthy is that it will improve health within hours and days of stopping. This day can also be celebrated by those who are concerned about someone they care about or love by offering them access to resources that can help them. In fact, there are support groups, several sessions provided, and phone numbers of the people who can motivate and help them. Most insurance companies conduct various programs to help people quit smoking. Offer resources as much as you can and help people and loved ones be ready to quit.
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