WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY – MAY 31

Each year on March 31, the World Health Organization (WHO) sponsors World No Tobacco Day. The purpose of World No Tobacco Day is to highlight the hazards of using tobacco and the actions taken by WHO to fight the tobacco pandemic¹. According to the WHO, tobacco products kill more than 8 million people per year and 8 million lives were lost from causes related to tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke². Additionally, 25% of cancer deaths globally can be attributed to tobacco use².  In Iowa, 16.6% of adults smoked cigarettes in 2018, 5,100 adults died from smoking related illness each year, and in 2009, $1.3 billion was spent on healthcare costs due to smoking³.

Cigarette smoke damages the body and is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States⁴. Smoking can adversely affect the heart, lungs, bones, fertility, diabetes, teeth, eyes, and can increase the risk of developing cancer. Smoking damages blood vessels which can cause an increase blood pressure and clot formation, resulting in stroke or coronary artery disease. Smoking also damages the lungs and can result in Coronary Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), worsen asthma, or cause lung cancer. Smoking can also cause cancer in other parts of the body like the bladder, liver, pancreas or stomach. Quitting smoking can reduce or diminish the adverse health effects associated with smoking. If someone quits smoking, their cardiac risk drops and the risk of developing cancer also decreases⁴.

There are many different resources and smoking cessation aides that can be used to help someone quit smoking. Quitline is a smoking cessation program that connects you with a Quitline coach, and they will work with you and help you implement strategies that can help you quit smoking. The phone number for Quitline Iowa is 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Additionally, they may able to help you gain access to medication to help you quit smoking. Smoking cessation aides like nicotine replacement products and Chantix can also aid in smoking cessation. Nicotine replacement therapy products like nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges, provide a source of nicotine as you cut back and eventually quit smoking cigarettes. Chantix works by decreasing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can take multiple quit attempts to quit smoking, and because of this, persistence is key⁶. Here at Promise Community Health Center, we are here for you. Our pharmacist, Kendra Borchers, can connect you to smoking cessation resources or discuss potential medication options and what option would be best for you to help you quit smoking. She can discuss the different medication options, how they work, potential side effects, and how they can help you quit smoking.

World No Tobacco day highlights the hazard of using tobacco products like cigarettes. Cigarette use can damage many parts of the body and quitting smoking can help reduce the risk of adverse effects like lung cancer or cardiovascular disease. It can be very difficult to quit and resources like Quitline, nicotine replacement products, Chantix, or services at Promise Community Health Center can help you in your journey to quit smoking. Call use at 712-722-1700 to set up an appointment to discuss smoking cessation today!

Sources:

1. World Health Organization. World No Tobacco Day. World No Tobacco Day Website. Accessed May, 13, 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day
2. World Health Organization. World No Tobacco Day: Key Messages. World No Tobacco Day Website. Accessed May 13, 2020. https://www.who.int/news-room/campaigns/world-no-tobacco-day/world-no-tobacco-day-2020/key-messages
3. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Extinguishing the Tobacco Epidemic in Iowa. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking & Tobacco Use Website. April 21, 2020. Accessed May 18, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/osh/state-fact-sheets/iowa/
4. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking & Tobacco Use Website. April 28, 2020. Access May 14, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/
5. Quitline Iowa. Quitline Iowa Website. Accessed May 21, 2020. https://www.quitlineiowa.org/en-US/
6. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control. Healthcare Provider Resources. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking & Cessation Website. October 4, 2019. Accessed May 26, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/for-health-care-providers/index.html