Smoking
Control
Smoking is a well-established risk factor for not only
cardiovascular disease but also other life-threatening
illnesses such as bronchitis and cancers of the lung,
throat, and oesophagus. Quitting smoking – or, if
you are not a smoker, not picking up this habit in the
first place – will reduce your risk of heart disease
significantly as well as prevent the deterioration of
any existing cardiovascular conditions which you may have.
In fact, for smokers, giving up smoking is the most effective
way of protecting themselves against coronary heart disease.
Although breaking free of the nicotine habit may be difficult,
the good news is that it is never too late for a person
to quit, regardless of how long he has been smoking for.
Once he stops smoking, his body will start to repair much
of the damage done by his years of smoking. His risk of
cardiovascular complications will be reduced by 50% within
one year, and will be nearly the same as the risk faced
by a long-time non-smoker within 15 years. In addition,
the health of his family members and those around him
will no longer be threatened by the “passive smoke”
exhaled from his cigarettes.
If you are currently a smoker, here are some ways in which
you can help yourself to quit:
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throw away all your
cigarettes and lighters and simply stop smoking; |
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if you find this “cold turkey”
method too daunting, start by reducing the number
of cigarettes which you smoke daily – set
yourself the target of smoking one less cigarette
each day until you stop altogether; |
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tell your family and close friends
of your intention to stop smoking so that they can
support you in your efforts; |
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spend more time with non-smoking
friends and/or in smoke-free places; |
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similarly, stay away from people,
places, and situations which might tempt you to
smoke, especially during the initial stages of abstinence. |
You may also find it helpful to seek professional counselling
or join a smoking-cessation programme. Institutions which
offer such assistance in Singapore include:
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Alexandra
Hospital
www.alexhosp.com.sg
Smoking Cessation Programme
Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Tel: 6379-3330/3331 |
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Health Promotion
Board
www.hpb.gov.sg
Quitline (a hotline manned by trained nurse counsellors)
Tel: 1800-4382000
Child Guidance Clinic (for young smokers aged 19
and below)
Tel: 6435-3878/3879 |
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Institute of Mental
Health
.www.imh.com.sg
Community Addictions Management Programme (CAMP)
Tel: 6389-2200 |
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Singapore General Hospital
www.sgh.com.sg
Dept of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Tel: 6321-4377 |
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Tan Tock Seng Hospital
www.ttsh.com.sg
Smoking Cessation Clinic
Dept of Respiratory Medicine
Tel: 6357-8010/8011 |
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