Change environment

Change Your Environment to Win Over Tobacco

Environment plays a major role in your quit tobacco journey.  Yes, your will power is required but along with that, a conducive environment is also necessary.

In a study at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, it was discovered that the management could instantly increase the amount of water people drank and decrease the amount of soda they drank, simply by rearranging the way drinks were displayed in the cafeteria. The soda and unhealthy foods were replaced at eye level and at easy reach with water bottles. This prompted the staff to consume water more than soda, and they were not even counselled for the same. Just replacing and changing the environment in the cafeteria made the difference.

 Mr Kunal, Deputy director with GOI, was a chronic tobacco chewer. His day would start with tobacco and end with tobacco, chewing almost 15-20 times a day. His tobacco packet was available everywhere – by the bedside, in the washroom, car, office table drawer. More than that, to please their boss his subordinates would also be ready with tobacco for him. Around 4 years back, his wife and daughter, removed all the packets of tobacco. They got such a chiding that they have not dared to do it again ever. I saw him around 6 months back when he noticed some lesion in his mouth. On examination, he had restricted mouth opening and also dense leukoplakia which had to be removed surgically. Quitting tobacco was a challenge. He was put on medication for quitting tobacco and also for comorbid conditions. But more importantly the following steps helped him the most:

Replaced the places he kept tobacco with water bottles. At the bedside now stands a terracotta water bottle which is always full. When he gets up in the morning, he starts his day with water and deep breathing exercise. In the car he has placed fennel (saunf), chewing gums, mixed nuts and water. Similarly the office drawer is now replaced with healthy drinks and biscuits, peanuts etc.

Further, he has put I CAN WIN stickers at all places and a notice in his office “ANYONE OFFERING TOBACCO IS LIKELY TO BE SUSPENDED”

These measures helped him strongly in his resolution and was the part of the planning given to him.

ENVIRONMENT plays a very important role in your journey of quit process. Store yourself with healthy drinks and low calorie diets. 

Mr Kunal is tobacco free and is in maintenance phase. Feels strong and energetic. The staff now looks at him as a hero. His only wish – if only he would have noticed the EARLY Changes of tobacco, he could have been saved from surgery and trismus.

Now, he is working with ICanCaRe to make his entire office tobacco free.

Published by

Dr. Pawan Gupta

Dr. Pawan Gupta is a trusted Senior Surgical Oncologist, social activist, and author, engaged in creating awareness and changing the way cancer is perceived in society. He is a renowned transformational speaker on cancer chronic diseases and lifestyle specifically tobacco. Thousands have benefitted from his workshops, seminars, camps, and training programs. He has been featured in Buzz Creator and on many channels on TV. He is the Founder of ICanCaRe, an Innovative enterprise for Cancer Care and Rehabilitation. Working extensively in Tobacco Cessation data-driven protocol-based intervention through a network of Specialists and experts on ICanCaRe APP, Virtual Clinics, and ICanCaRe National Quitline. National Convenor for Tobacco Cessation courses for the first time in India introduced under Gujarat University His populist campaigns “WIN OVER CANCER”, “SAVE the Youth – Win over tobacco”, “Chota Daana”, “Catch them Early”, and “My Hygiene My Responsibility” has gained him wide accolades. In his mission to win over cancer, he has a unique methodological approach to quitting tobacco. The book WIN OVER TOBACCO – MADE EASY is a step-by-step guide for tobacco addicts to overcome their cravings. The Book had more than 10000 Downloads within 30 Days of being made available. He received the prestigious ICD International Award in 2007, Vivekananda Sister Margarette Award 2017 and Delhi NGO leadership Award 2017, AIECS award 2018, Asia Africa Leadership in Social Innovation 2019, MICC Innovation Award 2019, Rashtriya Prabasi Odia Paribar Award 2019. Professionally he has conducted more than 11000 cancer surgeries and was a pioneer in establishing and modernizing surgical oncology in some of the major hospitals in Delhi NCR. He did his graduation and post-graduation from SCB Medical College, Cuttack. He enhanced his surgical skills M.Ch and Fellowship in Surgical Oncology from Gujarat Cancer Research Institute (GCRI), Ahmedabad. He has held several positions during his career in various hospitals. Dr. Pawan has published 30 papers in National and International journals and is actively involved in several research projects. He is an active member of the Telemedicine Society of India, India Association of Surgical Oncology, Association of Surgeons of India, and Foundation for Head and Neck Oncology. He is seen as a mentor of strayed souls, and a soothing balm to those tormented by cancer.

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