NEVER TOO LATE TO QUIT SMOKING : PREVENTS DEATH

WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY 31st May

India

healthysoch

New Delhi, May 27, 2023:

Annually 80 lac (8 Million) people die due to tobacco smoke out of which 12 lac are due to second hand smoke. Unfortunately 80% of tobacco users live in low and middle income countries. In India 13.5 lac people die due to tobacco use . As many as 28.6% of Indian population use tobacco product which is appalling. Cigarette smoking continues to cause nearly 530 000 deaths in the US each year, predominantly from cancer, heart disease and lung diseases.

As many as 551 388 Participants in this study were followed for more than 10 years to assess effect of quitting tobacco smoking on death rate. The all-cause mortality rate ratio (RR) for current vs never smoking was 2.80 (95% CI, 2.73-2.88) overall . When comparing those who quit smoking before age 45 years with never smokers, all-cause mortality RRs were 1.15 (Instead of 2.80) • Conclusion: Quitting smoking, particularly at younger ages, was associated with substantial reductions in the excess mortality associated with continued smoking.

According to Dr(Prof) G C Khilnani, “Unfortunately, India seems to be capital for tobacco use (besides being capital for diabetes) as the same is used in various forms besides smoking (chewing Gutka, Khaini etc). In India. as many as 28.6% of Indian population use tobacco product and 13.5 lac people die due to tobacco use every year which is distressing .

It is well known that tobacco use usually starts at teenage ( even earlier) when the individual has no idea about harmful effect on quality of life and longevity . Quitting tobacco is difficult but not impossible. The main reason for difficulty is addiction to Nicotine. However, it is not impossible. It requires `Will’ and assistance with various medications by the doctors. Quite often Tobacco users take it as `Fait accompli’ and consider it too late to try and get rid of this menace.

This `Eye opener’ large prospective study has proven that quitting smoking leads to relative risk reduction of Mortality from 2.8 to 1.15 which is indeed a huge benefit. `Earlier the better’: This benefit was in population who quit before the age of 45 years. In my personal opinion `IT IS NEVER TOO LATE’ . Quitting smoking (or tobacco use in any form) would lead to better health related quality and survival. WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY(31st May) is the Best day to take a pledge and quit tobacco use for better quality and Longevity which of utmost importance not only for your self but for your families.

“Dr(Prof) G C Khilnani is the Chairman, PSRI Institute of Pulmonary, Critical care and Sleep Medicine Formerly Professor and Head of Dept of Pulmonary, Critical care and Sleep Medicine. AIIMS, New Delhi

healthysoch