Caring for your lungs should not only happen once a year.

About 7 million South Africans smoke cigarettes and other tobacco products, according to the Report on the state of smoking in South Africa. This represents nearly 20% of the population. It's 20% too much.

According to Craig Comrie, senior administrator and head of Profmed, every year, thousands more people adopt this habit, although the health risks are widely known. "The World Health Organization has estimated that between 80,000 and 100,000 children start smoking, a disturbing statistic given the long-term health risks."

Smoking causes more than cancer

Prior to World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2019, Comrie stated that it was important to highlight the impact of tobacco and tobacco products on the health and role that healthy lungs play in the health and well-being of people. the well-being of all.

"It is imperative that we educate about smoking and its badociated risks. A study by CANSA (Australian Cancer Association) shows that smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death with approximately 44,000 deaths recorded each year in South Africa. "

He added that smokers should also bear in mind the danger they pose to those around them. "Pbadive smoking can cause as many illnesses as second-hand smoke, including cancer, long-term respiratory disease and heart disease. Children who inhale second-hand smoke are also more likely to develop bronchitis and pneumonia. "

The real cost of smoking

Comrie says that listing all the health benefits of quitting smoking does not provide enough incentive to quit smoking or prevent someone from starting again. "As a result, it is important to keep in mind the financial incentives. A smoker who spends R30 a day on this habit will save more than 10,000 rand a year by quitting and 100,000 rand over 10 years. "

He adds that one must also take into account the financial impact on their financial services products, such as medical aid or life insurance premiums. Smokers are more likely to contract smoking-related diseases. This increased risk of disease means that they are more likely to die prematurely. They therefore pay more for life insurance and other products.

Stop smoking

As many former smokers know, quitting smoking is one of the most difficult experiences they will have to undertake. Only a third of these have succeeded. However, it is an achievable goal. Comrie says that people should keep in mind that the benefits are both immediate and long term.

"In less than a year, the excessive risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke falls to less than half of that of a smoker; and in 5 to 15 years, the risk of stroke decreases to become that of a non-smoker. "

Here are some tips to help smokers who have decided to break this habit:

• To be fully engaged to the cause and remember every day why you want to quit.
• Establish a plan and stick to it and make sure this plan has a reward system in place for some milestones.
• Replace negative traits with positivesfor example, eat an apple or go for a walk instead of your normal cigarette break.
• Do not abandon. If you smoke, try again to quit.
• Stay positive – The first week is the hardest.
• Inform family and friends of your goal to stop.