European Ex-Smoker Day

European Ex-Smoker Day is celebrated on 26 September in all EU Member States. This day seeks to sensitize the population to health issues. The main objective is to congratulate all those who have become ex-smokers or who have taken the first steps to quit smoking.

It is celebrated with the support of the European Commission and has the collaboration of the European Lung Foundation.

Giving up smoking is the best decision a smoker can make, either to improve their health or the health of those around them. In addition to lowering the risk of premature death, quitting smoking cuts the risk of suffering a cardiovascular disease by half, compared to that seen in people who maintain the habit.

After 5 to 15 years, the risk of stroke equals that of non-smokers.

Law 97/2007, also known as the “Tobacco Law”, with its recent updates on electronic and heated cigarettes, as well as the progressive increase in the price of tobacco, is intended to deter smokers from this terrible habit. However, these motivational components act in a very small percentage of active smokers. Whether due to the lack of financial and human resources on the part of organizations that fight smoking, or due to the high dependence of those who smoke.

Tobacco is responsible for about 10% of deaths that occur in the world, about six million deaths annually, being the main cause of preventable death in the world. Many forms of cancer, such as pharyngeal, lung, or bladder cancer, or fearful diseases such as cardiovascular or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are directly related to smoking.

Therefore, it becomes a priority to help all those who smoke to stop smoking. And if the goal is not easy, tobacco through nicotine creates a strong dependency these days and the success rate of anti-smoking treatments, when properly directed, is very good.

Hence the question: why are so many smokers still not asking for help?

The answer is complex, but one of the reasons given is that it is not worth it, because the benefits are not worth the sacrifices; for example, it will be very expensive, weight will be gained, etc.

If this is your case, this article is for you! It's very worthwhile and the benefits of giving up smoking begin immediately.

At 20 minutes blood pressure and heart rate return to normal values;
After 8 hours the levels of nicotine and carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas that is inhaled with tobacco smoke) are halved;
After 24 hours, carbon monoxide begins to be eliminated and the lungs begin to release tobacco residues;
At 48 hours, nicotine is no longer detected in the body, while it improves smell and taste;
At 72 hours the inflammation and irritation of the bronchial tree begins to decrease, so that the patient feels more easily breathing;
Favorable effects on blood circulation begin at 2-12 weeks;
Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sputum and wheezing improve significantly at 3-9 months, during which time the respiratory function increases by approximately 10%.

Thus, five years after smoking cessation, the risk of myocardial infarction decreases to about half, and this risk is equal to that of a non-smoker.

These effects, in themselves, are very positive. Gather the healthy habits you'll create to replace this addiction and make an appointment.

Stop smoking will give you more health and quality of life. If you can't do it yourself, don't hesitate: ask your doctor for help, as smoker support methods are very effective nowadays. Even the fact that you can gain weight can be minimized with proper dietary advice. And don't forget the favorable impact on your finances: if you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, quitting will save around 1500 euros a year, money you can spend on something that gives you pleasure and doesn't ruin you the health.

Strength, it's really worth it stop smoking.

To make an appointment and definitely stop smoking with Dr. Rui Pedro Loureiro's method, go to stopsmoking.pt or contact via email info@curapura.pt