Today, Monday, the world celebrates the International Day of Non-Smoking, so how does smoking increase the risk of complications from the emerging corona virus (Covid-19)?
The World Health Organization and its partners everywhere celebrate the World No Tobacco Day on May 31 of each year, and the organization said in a statement that it supports people who quit smoking to reduce the risk of severe infection with the emerging corona virus “Covid-19.” Read also Smoking is linked to 13 cancers Does fasting affect the infection with corona .. What is the relationship of smoking with the virus?5 ways to quit smoking Citrus, nail biting and smoking .. 7 daily habits that destroy your teeth
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Smokers face up to 50% greater risk of severe disease and death due to the emerging corona virus (Covid-19). Therefore, quitting smoking is the best thing smokers can do to reduce their risk. Coronavirus infection, as well as the risk of cancer, heart disease and respiratory diseases. “
“We urge all countries to do their part by joining the WHO campaign and creating tobacco-free environments that provide people with the information, support and tools they need to quit smoking forever,” he added.
The organization’s campaign featured the slogan “Decide to quit tobacco use today!” Resources through its set of smoking cessation tools that it makes freely available to more than one billion tobacco users, less than 5 months after the start of the yearlong campaign.
The organization launched the campaign to support the millions of tobacco users who strive to take steps to save their lives, but who still need help to succeed.
WHO Director of Health Promotion Rudiger Kreish added: To help tobacco users decide to be quit winners, we are using digital assistants to launch the organization’s chatbot to present the “smoking cessation challenge” … and make advocacy materials available in 30 languages.
The Quit Smoking Challenge provides daily notifications of advice and messages of encouragement for up to 6 months to help people stay tobacco-free. It is available for free on WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat.
Globally, nearly 39% of men and 9% of women use tobacco. The highest smoking rates are currently in Europe at 26%, with expectations indicating a decrease of no more than 2% by 2025 if urgent government measures are not taken.
What happens to the smoker’s body when they quit smoking?
Pulmonologist Humberto Choi says – in a report to the Cleveland Clinic – that the lungs begin to recover and the rest of the body less than half an hour after quitting smoking.
This is what happens to the smoker’s body to quit smoking
After 20 minutes
- Low blood pressure and pulse.
- The temperature of your hands and feet rises.
After 8 hours
- The level of carbon monoxide in the blood returns to normal.
- The levels of oxygen in the blood increase.
24 hours later
- Reduced risk of heart attack.
48 hours late
- Nerves adjust to the absence of nicotine.
- The ability to taste and smell begins to return.
72 hours later
- The airways relax.
After 1 to 3 months
- Blood circulation improves.
- The person’s ability to exercise improves.
After a month to 9 months
- Reduced cough, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath.
- An increase in a person’s overall energy level.
- Cilia grow in the airways again, which increases the lungs’ ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection.
One year later
- The risk of heart disease is halved compared to a smoker.
After 5 years
- The risk of a stroke is reduced to the level of the risk of a person who has never smoked.
10 years later
- The risk of dying from lung cancer is halved.
- There is a decrease in the incidence of other types of cancer that affect the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidneys and pancreas.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the benefits of quitting smoking go beyond reducing the risk of various types of cancer or stroke. By quitting smoking, you will stop burning useless money.
You will also be able to taste and smell your favorite dishes and scents. You might be able to notice a difference in your sense of taste and smell in the first few days after you quit smoking.
Although there are many advantages to quitting smoking, it takes some effort. “After 2 to 3 days, the withdrawal symptoms will be at their worst … but they should subside completely within a few weeks,” says Dr. Choi.
A strong support system from your friends and your doctor, for example, and making a plan to quit smoking and stay motivated can help.
No matter how you decide to get help, check with your doctor for a recommendation for a smoking cessation program. Your doctor can help determine the method for quitting smoking that will work best for you.