World No Tobacco Day Tips and Tricks to Stop

World No Tobacco Day: tips and tricks to stop

01.06.2011

On yesterday's World No Tobacco Day (31 May), physicians throughout Germany informed about the possible consequences of tobacco use as well as methods to quit smoking. Under the motto „Patchwork Germany - What's wrong with non-smoker protection?“ In addition, the maladministration was discussed in the legislation.

Although Germany signed in 2003 with the signing of the International Tobacco Framework Convention („Framework Convention on Tobacco Control“ - FCTC) has committed to implementing effective non-smoking protection, „we are still far away from it eight years later“, explains Dr. Uwe Prümel-Philippsen, spokesman for the "Action Alliance Non-Smoking". Legislation at the level of the various federal states is often extremely blurred. The protection of non-smokers from passive smoking was therefore another focus of World No Tobacco Day this year. In addition, physicians throughout Germany have informed at various events and under established expert hotlines about the health consequences of tobacco smoking and quitting smoking issues.

Tips to quit smoking
Many smokers try to stop smoking regularly, but often without success. However, their failure in most cases is not due to a physical addiction but due to the psychological dependence. According to the experts, certain situations trigger key stimuli in the brain that are responsible for the smoker's failure on the path to weaning. Nevertheless, most tobacco consumers manage to become non-smokers without professional help, explained Gerhard Bühringer, head of the smoker's outpatient clinic in Dresden, to the news portal „n-tv.de“. The expert gave the smokers some tips to help them with the weaning. According to Bühringer, it is important to stop immediately, rather than trying to gradually reduce tobacco consumption. Because a single consistent „No“ is easier, as always, „No“ accept. In addition, all people should be informed in a personal environment that smokers are planning a weaning so that it „embarrassing“ If the victims fail, said Bühringer. As a matter of course should apply to the people that the smokers in the period of weaning no cigarettes or other tobacco products are offered.

In case of doubt, take therapeutic measures
In addition, the expert recommends to the tobacco consumer on the way to the nonsmoker that they are looking for alternatives, so that when triggering the key stimuli is not automatically taken to the cigarette. From chewing gum to learning relaxation exercises, the tobacco addicts have a variety of methods at their disposal, explained Gerhard Bühringer. According to the experts, however, food is a rather critical substitute because there is a risk of significant weight gain, which may result in people starting to smoke again for weight reasons. In addition, overweight and obesity are also associated with significant health risks that should be avoided as much as possible. If smokers are unable to quit smoking on their own, Bühringer's statement also suggests that therapeutic measures be taken to get rid of the cigarettes. According to the expert, behavioral group programs are the most effective method. In addition, these are paid by the health insurance companies as a prevention service. The participants must „depending on the health insurance at most between 60 and 100 euros“ to pay, explained the head of the smoking outpatient clinic in Dresden. Overall, according to Bühringer „Self-confidence, the assessment of one's own competence and social support“ the essential factors on the way to the nonsmoker. Add to that „the insight that smoking has negative effects on health“, the expert stressed „n-tv.de“ and added: „There is no low-risk nicotine consumption. Already three to six cigarettes a day damage your health and shorten your life expectancy.“

Protection against the dangers of passive smoking
However, World No Tobacco Day not only addressed smokers' problems with weaning, but also focused on effective protection against the dangers of secondhand smoke. To this end, the Federal Republic of Germany has signed the signing of the International Tobacco Framework Convention („Framework Convention on Tobacco Control“ - FCTC), but in the opinion of the expert of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Dr. med. Martina Pötschke-Langer, the reality is very different. „More than 80 percent of the pubs and bars and more than 90 percent of the gambling halls in Germany are still smoked“, The DKFZ expert explained with reference to a recently presented study in which 2,939 catering establishments in ten federal states were examined. While smokers are still allowed to feel at home in most pubs, so could „of a freedom of choice for non-smokers in restaurants no speech“ said Pötschke-Langer. „If you want to go to a pub in the evening, you have to look a long way in many places if you want to relax and chat without smoking“, so the conclusion of the expert. So, according to Dr. Uwe Prümel-Philippsen, spokesman for the "Action Alliance Non-Smoking", explicit goal of World No Tobacco Day to inform citizens about their right to effective protection against the dangers of secondhand smoke. „In particular, we also want to encourage the non-smoking majority of the population to demand this right from those responsible“, emphasized Prümel-Philippsen. (Fp)

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