December 15, 2020

Cigarettes take your breath away. Quit today!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR! As cliche as it is, the new year is a great time to look at your health and start making some healthy living resolutions. Why not make 2021 your year to quit? 

Cigarettes kill more than 15000 Australians each year. Approximately 50 percent of all persistent smokers are eventually killed by the habit and the majority of the smoking related deaths are caused by the detrimental effects of tobacco smoke on the lungs. 

Lung Cancer:
Cigarettes are the main cause of lung cancer in Australia and cause 40 percent of all smoking related deaths.  Unfortunately, the risk of lung cancer also increases to the wider population through exposure to second hand smoke. This is due to tobacco smoke containing many toxic chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. The good news, quitting smoking reduces the risk of lung and other major cancers.  

Lung Disease:
Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of chronic respiratory diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis. Symptoms of these diseases include increased shortness of breath, frequent coughing, wheezing and tightness in the chest.  Smokers who are asthmatic are more likely to have worse symptoms and find their medication works less effectively.  Approximately 27 percent of all smoking deaths are caused by respiratory diseases. Within months of quitting, symptoms of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath improve and lung function increases. 

COVID-19, Colds, Flu and pneumonia:
High levels of tar and other chemicals in cigarette smoke actually weaken your immune system. This makes a smoker more susceptible to respiratory infections such as cold, flu and pneumonia. Smokers have an increased risk of having serious complications from COVID-19. It is recommended that smokers get the flu vaccination every year to help prevent contracting the flu. Evidence shows within 3 months of quitting your immune system begins to recover building resistance to infections.

Thinking about quitting? Our pharmacists can help by providing advice and find the products that will work best for you.

For further information about quitting you can call Quitline on 121 848 or visit https://www.nicorette.com.au/get-ready-to-quit or www.quit.org.au