About Smoking

Understanding and Managing Smoking: A Guide for Adults

Smoking is a practice in which a substance, most commonly tobacco, is burned and the smoke is tasted or inhaled. It's a major cause of many diseases, including heart disease, stroke, and a variety of cancers. Here's what you need to know about smoking and how to manage it.

Smoking: What Is It?

Smoking is an addiction to nicotine, a drug that is naturally present in tobacco. It is the leading cause of preventable death and disease worldwide.

Importance of Recognising Smoking

Recognising smoking as a harmful habit is crucial because of its substantial health risks and economic costs. It can cause or worsen many medical conditions, impact mental health, and reduce quality of life and life expectancy.

Diagnosing Smoking Addiction

Smoking addiction is typically diagnosed based on a person's report of their smoking habits. Various scales or questionnaires may be used to assess nicotine dependence.

Managing Smoking

Managing smoking mainly involves quitting. This can be challenging due to nicotine addiction, but there are many resources available to help:

Smoking cessation programs: These programs offer a range of treatments, including behaviour therapy, counselling, and tips for handling withdrawal symptoms.

Medications: Certain medications can help with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Support groups: Connecting with others who are also quitting or who have quit can offer valuable support and advice.

Living With Smoking Addiction

Living with smoking addiction can be challenging, but many people successfully quit smoking each year. It's important to set a quit date, tell family and friends for support, anticipate challenges, remove cigarettes and tobacco products from your environment, and consider using medication to help with withdrawal symptoms.

Remember, quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to protect your health. If you have any concerns about smoking or need help quitting, please reach out to us. We're here to support you on your journey to a smoke-free life.