About cigarette.......

Quitting smoking is worth the effort. Here are the health benefits you can expect :-

After …….

…2 hours

The process of nicotine elimination from the blood stream will begin

…6 hours

Blood pressure and pulse rate will return to normal

…24 hours

Carbon monoxide is eliminated from your body, thus more oxygen will be absorbed by the body cells

…2 days

Senses of taste and smell will improve

…a few weeks

The cilia in the respiratory system will be fully effective

…2 months

Blood circulation improves especially in your hands and feet

…3 months

Improves fertility

…5 years

The risk of having a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker

…10 years

The risk of developing lung cancer is now about half that of a smoker’s. The risk of suffering a heart attack is the same as someone who has never smoked

…15 to 20 years

The risk of lung cancer is reduced to that of a non smoker
 

 SMOKING CAUSES HARMFUL DISEASES

Smoking is a bad habit that will lead to addiction. Cigarette smoke is related to 40 types of serious diseases like :

ü  Heart diseases
ü  Cancer
ü  High blood pressure
ü  Lung infection
ü  Stroke
ü  Teeth and gum disease
ü  Eye disease
ü  Stomach ulcer
ü  Osteoporosis
ü  Arteriosclerosis

     

Other information related to smoking

Information for workers…..

FREE YOURSELF FROM CIGARETTES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cigarette smoke

… ALSO HARMS THE HEALTH OF NON SMOKERS

What is Passive smoking?

Passive smoking is the combination of side-stream smoke released from the lit end of cigarettes and main stream smoke exhaled by a smoker.

Who are Passive smokers?     

Passive smokers are non-smokers who are exposed to cigarette smoke for 15 minutes for 2 days in a week (WHO).

Passive smokers face a high risk of developing smoking related diseases :

• 30% higher risk of getting lung cancer
• 25% higher risk of getting heart disease

In general, Passive smokers also suffer other ailments such as :

v Cough

v Eye irritation

v Nausea

v Headache

Passive Smoke Is A Proven Threat To Your Health And Productivity

Keep away from cigarette smoke. Demand and advocate for a smoke free workplace.

BE WISE QUIT SMOKING

Why you should quit? You can :

      Stop poisonous chemicals getting into your body

      Prevent the risk of getting diseases

      Enhance fertility

      Overcome impotency

      Build your stamina

      Improve sense of taste and smell

      Be more active

      Have healthier skin

      Have fresh breath

      Have brighter teeth

      Be healthier

      Protect others

      Save money

      Enjoy a clean and smoke-free home and workplace

Getting Started!

This is what goes on every Thursday in the Quit Smoking Clinic of USM. 

1. Participants are required to fill up a questionnaire. Also given treatment cards.


2. Vitals measurement.
    a.) Height

    b.) Weight
    c.) Carbon Dioxide levels
    d.) Peak Flow Meter test
    e.) Waistline 
    f.) Blood pressure and pulse
    g.) All vitals recorded in the treatment card


3. Participants are given:
    a.) 'Dangers of smoking' flyers
    b.) 'How to quit  smoking' flyers
    c.) Quit smoking oath book
    d.) Card for next visit


4. Participant is brought to meet the doctor.


5. Participant's attendance is recorded.


6. Date of next appointment is fixed and noted down in the appointment card.


7. Participant's card is kept in files provided according to alphabetical order. 


8. The Quit Smoking Clinic is cleaned and tidied up. 


9. Lights and all electrical appliances are turned off and the room is locked. 

Plus, it's FREE!!!   PERCUMA!!! Nothing to lose. Plenty to gain. Come for the knowledge. Stay for the freedom.

Sesi dalam kelas berhenti merokok....Segalanya ada disini!!!

Introducing, The Quit Smoking Clinic of Pusat Sejahtera USM!!

Introduction

The Healthy Campus (USM) needs to be free from any form of addiction. Accordingly, the Quit Smoking Clinic of USM began its operations at the then Pusat Kesihatan USM on the 26th of January 2002 officiated by Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak. 

Mission

The clinic kicks into session once a week, every Thursday from 2.00pm until about 5.10pm at the Pusat Sejahtera of Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. It is handled by one Medical Officer, one trained nurse and one clinical pharmacist.

Among the services offered at the clinic include individual and group counselling not leaving behind Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Each smoker motivated to quit smoking will be rated individually using the Fagestrom test to assess their level of nicotine addiction. Besides that, other clinical parameters will also be used  in each session to gauge nicotine addiction such as blood pressure, body weight, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and Carbon Monoxide content using the breathalyzer.

The paticipants of the clinic are given appointments every one or two weeks once and their development is monitored every 6 months. Participants who are able to quit the habit for a whole six months are considered as successful quitters. 

The Quit Smoking Clinic also organizes a whole range of activities to raise awareness on the dangers of smoking and offers professional advice to help smokers quit the habit. 

Objectives

1. To reduce the number of students who start smoking inside the campus. 

2. To motivate smokers to quit smoking.

3. To offer appropriate treatment (counselling and NRT) that will increase the possibility of more people who will quit smoking.

4. To conduct proper research and development that will ensure newer ways to get students to quit smoking. 

Now you have a place that supports you in quitting the habit. Right inside campus! Fully confidential! What are you waiting for??

Coping with the cravings

While NRT will help you beat the cravings, there will still be moments when you’re tempted. Here are a few ways to help you cope:

• Do something that requires you to get up and move. Take a walk, for instance.
• Distract yourself – you may find drinking a glass of water can help.
• Take control, use your willpower and ask yourself, “How much do I really need this cigarette?”
• Remind yourself of all the reasons why you stopped smoking.
• Substitute some regular chewing gum or a lolls for a cigarette.
• Get some exercise which is a great way of dealing with stress and getting fitter too.
• Talk it through with someone you trust.
• Think of yourself as a non-smoker not a deprived ex-smoker.

Consumer Healthcare www.nicorette.com.au

NRT (nicotine replacement therapy)

No matter what type of smoker you are, you can find a NRT product to match your needs and preferences. Available as gum, patch or inhaler, your doctor or pharmacist can advise you which NRT product is best for you needs.

GUM

 ü  Helps control cravings whenever you feel the urge to smoke and provides oral replacement

PATCH

 ü  A discreet, easy-to-use, once-a-day treatment available in 3 strengths to gradually reduce nicotine intake

INHALER

 ü  An innovative format that is suitable for smokers who are likely to miss the hand-to-mouth action of smoking

Visit www.nicorette.com.au for more information on NRT.

Benefits of Smoking

Smoking is bad for you. Anyone who has watched TV or gone to health class knows this. But everyone also knows that cheeseburgers are bad for you and continue to scarf them down. The benefits of cheeseburgers are obvious: delicious, juicy, hearty taste. 

                                             What are the benefits of smoking?

All you hear about all day is why you shouldn’t smoke, and how bad it is for your health. Then why is everyone smoking in the first place, and how do smokers come up with thousands of reasons not to quit. Nicotine is very addicting, but that’s not the only reason smokers keep smoking. Smoking has many benefits biologically and emotionally. Knowing these can help you replace these benefits through healthier means when you try to quit.

Smoking Relieves Stress

          This is the most common thing you hear from smokers about the benefits of smoking. This is because cigarettes create a myriad of conditions that help the body deal with anxiety, stress, and depression.

Smoking Relaxes Your Breathing

          The way you breathe when you smoke helps your body relax and calm down. For people who have panic attacks or stress problems, Doctors recommend patients practice a sort of breathing called relaxation breathing. Among other things, it involves taking a deep breath into the lungs and holding it in for a second or two before exhaling. This is exactly like the act of smoking. This kind of breathing slows your heart rate and relieves tension in your muscles, especially your neck and upper back, which tense up in stressful situations.

Outside Smoke Breaks Calm You Down

         

If you go outside for smoke breaks, this simple act can really help you deal with your stress. Say if you’re in a fight with your spouse or close to the deadline on a major project for work, leaving the house or office to step outside for a smoke break helps you deal with the stress

• You get a break from your stressor
• You get into the open and fresh air
• You leave the stressful environment
• You have time to think about your problems from an objective point of view
• The nature and sky outside helps your mind calm down and relax

Nicotine is an Anxiety and Depression Medication

         The nicotine in cigarettes is also a major factor of stress relief. Nicotine is a chemical which mildly and temporarily stops the feelings of anxiety and depression. After an inhale of cigarette smoke, the nicotine reacts in your brain chemistry within seven seconds. Nicotine makes the brain feel better, and stops the chain reaction anxiety and depression can have within the brain. It is no surprise that 1/3 of nicotine addicts claim to have depression or anxiety problems. Cigarettes are a great form of self medication.