The world marks World No Tobacco Day on 31st May every year, to raise awareness of the negative health, social, economic and environmental impacts of tobacco production and use. According to WHO, there are 600,000,000 trees chopped down to make cigarettes, 84,000,000 tonnes of CO2 Emissions released into the air raising global temperatures and 22,000,000 tonnes of water used to make cigarettes.
The harmful impact of the tobacco industry on the environment is vast and growing adding unnecessary pressure to our planet’s already scarce resources and fragile ecosystems.
Tobacco kills over 8 million people every year and destroys our environment, further harming human health, through the cultivation, production, distribution, consumption, and post-consumer waste.
The decision to quit smoking is the most vital step you can take to improve your overall health and the environment. It is NEVER too late to quit. By quitting smoking, you can:
- Lengthen your life expectancy
- Decrease your risk of disease (including lung cancer, throat cancer, emphysema, heart disease, high blood pressure, ulcers and reflux, erectile and sexual dysfunction, kidney disease, and other conditions)
- Reduce your risk of respiratory and anesthesia complications during surgery and risk of infection or re-admission after an operation
- Decrease the chance that your children will become sick (respiratory and ear infections are much more common among children exposed to second-hand smoke)
- Feel healthier (after quitting, you won’t cough as much, have as many sore throats or stuffy noses, and will have an increased energy level and exercise tolerance)
- Improve your sense of taste and smell
- Improve your personal life (smoking causes erectile dysfunction and overall sexual dysfunction)
- Improve your looks (smoking cause wrinkles, stained teeth, and dull skin)
- Save money – a 1 pack-per-day habit costs approximately Ksh 109,500/year
Additionally, every cigarette smoked or tobacco product used wastes precious resources that our existence depends on. Quit tobacco for your health and the health of our planet.
What’s the best way to quit smoking?
There is NO best way to quit smoking. Everyone has different smoking patterns, habits, levels of addiction, and preferences. What works best for one person may have little impact on someone else. For this reason, the best smoking cessation programs offer several proven methods, not just one.
There are several treatment facilities that offers a variety of methods to help people who want to become non-smokers. Programs like these offers:
-
- PREPARE: You need a little time before you quit –14 to 30 days is usually optimal – to prime your mind and body for success.
- QUIT: Anti-craving drugs and/or nicotine replacement therapy will lessen your urge to smoke. Resources are available to help you on your journey to a tobacco-free life.
- RELAPSE PREVENTION: Develop the ability to identify situations that may cause you to slip and learn new skills to prevent relapse.
- STRESS MANAGEMENT: Find alternatives to reaching for tobacco to cope with stress. Tobacco actually INCREASES the stress on your body – it increases heart rate, blood pressure, and constricts blood vessels, making your heart, kidneys, and other vital organs work harder.
Who we are: Harley’s Limited is one of East Africa’s most respected Pharmaceutical, Medical, OTC products, and healthcare service providers.
