New Year Ideal time to stop smoking

Smoke stop in the new year: fast positive health effects

Finally, quit smoking is one of the most-heard good intentions for the new year. Those who find it difficult to keep their hands off cigarettes should realize that smoking life expectancy is greatly reduced. If you stop the smoke, you will quickly see positive health effects.

Tobacco consumption puts your health at risk

"Smoking is a major health risk and the leading cause of premature mortality," writes the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Among other things, tobacco use favors twelve types of cancer such as lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis), chronic bronchitis or the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD (smoker's lung). There are many good reasons for giving up smoking. The turn of the year is an ideal time for it.

Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml has campaigned for the renouncement of smoking on the occasion of the turn of the year. If you stop the smoke, you will soon see positive effects on your health and well-being. (Image: Janina Dierks / fotolia.com)

Stop smoking

Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml has campaigned for the renouncement of smoking on the occasion of the turn of the year.

"The start of the new year is a good opportunity to quit smoking. One thing is clear: weaning can be difficult, especially for long-term smokers, "said Huml.

Smokers need a firm will to get out of their addiction. Experts say cold withdrawal is the best way to stop smoking.

"Council can give here, for example, the family doctor. Most health insurers also offer their members support in weaning, "explained Huml.

The minister warned: "Smoking reduces life expectancy by an average of ten years. Around 120,000 people die from the consequences of smoking in Germany every year. This corresponds to every seventh death. "

Positive health effects

"Anyone who quits smoking will soon see positive effects on their health and well-being," says Huml, who is a licensed doctor.

"By weaning, for example, the sense of smell and taste can improve and the shortness of breath decrease. Anyone who consistently refrains from smoking also has a lower risk of cancer, heart attack and stroke. "

The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) also points to good reasons why the body does not stop smoking:

"Just three days after the last cigarette improves the function of the respiratory tract," write the experts. In addition, the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are also reduced.

"Already one week after a stop smoking the blood pressure drops. Two years after a smoking cessation, an ex-smoker has almost the same risk of cardiovascular disease as a non-smoker for life, "explains the DKFZ.

The success of a drug treatment for cardiovascular diseases will be improved.

But that's not all: "Within a few years after smoking cessation, the risk of illness for most tobacco-related cancers has dropped significantly - the sooner the person stops smoking, the more effectively the risk of illness can be reduced."

According to the experts, an ex-smoker has only half the risk of lung cancer ten years after smoking cessation, as if he had continued to smoke permanently.

In addition, people who leave the fingers of cigarettes, look healthier: "After a smoking stop the discoloration of the teeth disappear, the skin is smoother and gets a fresher appearance, the unpleasant smell of hair and clothing disappears," said the DKFZ.

And: "Ex-smokers become physically fitter, healthier and are more resilient."

Health hazards through hookahs

Bavaria's health minister also pointed to the health hazards of hookahs. "It's important not to underestimate the health risks of hookahs. Smoking water pipes creates dangerous pollutants, "said Huml.

In this way, ultrafine particles and carcinogenic substances could be measured in the room air. This also applies if tobacco-free products are used. In addition, life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning can occur.

The poisonous gas is produced by the burning of water pipe charcoal. In particular, it is a danger when smoking in closed rooms without adequate air supply. (Ad)