A study in 2019 showed that 14% of the adults in England are smokers, which equates to 6.9 million in the population. Smoking is one of the main causes of death and illness in the UK, causing around 78 thousand deaths every year.
Smoking is ingrained as a daily ritual after waking up in the morning, after every meal, and with every cup of tea. Many people think of smoking as a way to cope with their depression and anxiety.
It’s the responsibility of the government to ensure the well-being of its citizens from all sorts of evils. Here we have discussed what the UK is doing to combat smoking.
Suggesting Better Alternates
NRT is a good approach but there are now other ways to quit smoking considered even better. Public Health England published an article in February 2021 suggesting that vaping is better than NRT for stopping smoking.
Vaping is a great way to quit cigarettes by consuming less toxic nicotine that doesn’t come from burnt tobacco. When you start vaping, you can reduce the amount of nicotine over time, according to your desire.
Promoting NRTs
NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) can help in relieving some physical withdrawal symptoms so you can mainly focus on the psychological aspects of quitting. NRTs help reduce the cravings for nicotine present in cigarettes. In the UK, there are 5 types of NRTs:
- Patches of skin
- Gum
- Lozenges
- Inhaler
- Spray (nasal)
These NRTs are given to people trying to quit smoking by the prescription of a doctor. If you decide to start the NRT, it should be started with the consultation of the doctor regarding the dose and timings.
Therapy Should Be Considered Necessary
Tobacco is one of the most addictive substances on the planet. It might not be as dangerous as cocaine, but it also requires therapy and a lot of willpower to quit.
There are a number of therapy sessions according to the need of the patient depending on how much a patient is indulged in smoking. Many nicotine addicts will be ready to quit smoking just after the counselling because it is, sometimes, just a mental game.
You Also Have to Be Mentally Prepared
Tobacco leads to both physiological habits and physical addiction. If you want to successfully stop smoking, even if you have tried multiple times before, do not lose hope. The government can’t do anything if you are not willing to quit smoking yourself.
You must prepare yourself for the whole process of quitting. Mark the date and start reducing the amount of nicotine day by day. It would be difficult for a chain smoker to quit in a day but yes, if you just smoke occasionally, you can get rid of this habit very easily. Get ready for the challenge first, and start implementing the rules on yourself.
Tell your family and friends that you are going to quit the drugs, so they will also support you by reminding you daily.
Start Taking Medicines
A doctor might prescribe you some medicines to quit cigarettes. These medicines block the receptors in your brain that make smoking pleasurable for you. You will feel less need for cigarettes when you are no longer enjoying them. The most beneficial medicines for smokers to quit this habit are:
- Varenicline
- Bupropion
There might be minor side effects of these medications such as mood swings, aggression, and depression. They will also help reduce cravings for tobacco and control withdrawal symptoms. However, you can’t keep taking medicines for life; these should be only used temporarily according to the guidance of a doctor.