Tag: quit tobacco

Why Do Tobacco Consumers Resist From Quitting Smoking and Chewing

Whenever you approach a tobacco consumer to stop smoking or chewing, the very first and obvious reaction is “Why?”; “I can quit any time I want to.”; “Why are you worried? I will quit when I feel the need”; “I’m not interested.”; “You must smoke with me to feel how relieving it feels.” You experience immediate resistance to the thought of quitting despite knowing the fact that deep down the tobacco addict is feeling guilty and wants to quit the habit.

Ever wondered why there is so much of resistance to quit smoking or chewing? In this blog we are going to explore many such situations which makes a smoker or a chewer hesitant to quitting the habit.

  • Fear of Withdrawals: many smokers and chewers have tried quitting before and relapsed again and again. This is because they have experienced numerous withdrawals ranging from acidity, headache, vomiting, loss of sleep, tingling sensations, irritation, mood swings, restlessness, etc. and have failed to cope and manage it, thereby causing loss of confidence and relapse. They do not want to suffer and experience the pain again. This fear of experiencing the withdrawals makes them very much hesitant to quitting their habit.
  • Loss of confidence from being unable to quit, develops a belief that they can never quit. Hence they do not wish to quit smoking and chewing and keep continuing the habit
  • Many a times some associated illnesses develop from tobacco consumption and these illnesses are eminently visible on quitting tobacco. Again the tobacco consumers start believing that these problems arise from not consuming tobacco and they keep continuing smoking and chewing.
  • There’s lack of proper support from the family, friends and colleagues. Constant nagging causes irritation and abets resistance to quitting
  • Inadequate professional support and lack of experienced cessation experts also results in hesitation in quitting because the tobacco addict does not how to quit and where to reach out for professional assistance to receive the right help in quitting.
  • Many young smokers and chewers do not want to let go off the instant pleasure and kick they experience from smoking and chewing tobacco. Hence they never think about quitting.

So when you try to approach a person to quit their habit, do not directly jump to pushing them to quit. Instead provide assurance and support that quitting is possible and all the challenges can be resolved with proper guidance and support. Tell them the following:

  1. Quitting can be tough but not impossible.
  2. It is ok if they have failed in their quit attempts and relapsed.
  3. Bust the myths and misconceptions around smoking and tobacco consumption.
  4. Withdrawals can be managed with expert’s help and lot of remedies.
  5. It is important to stay firm and committed to one’s thought about quitting.
  6. Assure them that their performance, lifestyle and routine will not be impacted and that their quality of life will be ameliorated after quitting smoking and tobacco. 

Small right actions will result in positive and healthy transformation!!

Every human is unique, keeping this fact intact, at ICanCaRe  we have designed a digital solution to quitting tobacco which is both scientific and medically validated. It helps to customize the quit plan as per the person’s needs to make the quit journey more systematic, simple and evident of the healthy transformation. At ICanCaRe, the success rate of quitting smoking and chewing tobacco is 92%. To quit the habit or to help someone quit the habit, call the helpline 011-430-77695 or visit www.icancare.in/quittobacco for assistance.

Be Careful Before Marrying of Your Daughter to A Tobacco User – Parent’s Responsibilities

Choose the Right Groom for Your Daughter – A Non-Smoker/Tobacco Consumer

Tobacco is commonly used in India. While choosing a groom, no one really bothers to ask about tobacco use. Tobacco use till now is still an acceptable social norm.

I have a question – “Would you marry your daughter to a person who is diseased or likely to have a disease?” 

  • “Arre Shadi ke baadh ladka tambaku chhod dega” (boy would quit tobacco after marriage) – why after marriage, let him quit for 6 months and then propose.
  • “Bahu tambaku chudwa degi” (daughter in law would make him quit tobacco) – 

Wow, the newlywed daughter-in-law is a demi-goddess and she is expected to do everything including tobacco cessation, that the mother, father, brother or sister could not do!

Why tobacco cessation after marriage? Why not before it?

If anyone in the family is taking tobacco, the entire family is ruined.

This reminds me of one of my patients – Rita(name changed) and Rohan(name changed). Rohan had cancer of the mouth, and he had come to see me along with Rita and her mother. Rita and Rohan were teachers in a primary school. They fell in love and got married in spite of Rohan’s tobacco use (which he promised to leave as soon as they got married). They started their married life without him being able to quit tobacco. Sadly he continued and developed cancer within one year. On one hand, Rita was pregnant and was planning of delivering their baby boy while on the other Rohan was diagnosed with oral cancer. His chemotherapy and surgeries coincided with the baby’s birth. Sadly, throughout the treatment, no family member of Rohan ever came to see me.

Well, friends, tobacco is a disease. By all means, the tobacco user would have some or the other complication due to tobacco use may it be a heart attack, respiratory problem, dental and oral problem, cancer stroke, etc. (200 listed diseases to count from). Tobacco is a disease and it has the highest addictive factor in the World. Had it been so easy to quit, people would have quit tobacco by now.

Tobacco as a disease needs treatment like any other chronic disease with intervention, medications, and follow-up.

LET YOUR DAUGHTER NOT SUFFER BECAUSE OF YOUR IGNORANCE! BE CAREFUL WHILE CHOOSING THE GROOM, DO ASK ABOUT THE TOBACCO HISTORY AND IF REQUIRED DO A COTININE TEST TO KNOW.

How to IDENTIFY A PERSON USING TOBACCO WITHOUT ASKING –  

There are tell-tale signs of tobacco use whether smoking or chewing. (Caution: the signs may not be confirmatory!)

  • Stains on teeth and /or lips
  • Bad foul smelly breaths
  • Constant coughing
  • Stains on nail beds, fingers
  • Foul smelly hair and cloths

Some behavioral aspects that one needs to notice:

  • Chewing gums – constant use
  • Frequently disappearing
  • Going for a walk avoiding you
  • Friend circle

Laboratory and Qualitative assessment

  • Laboratory tests are available for confirmation of tobacco use
  • Qualitative assessment of present health assessment

Help is available. Tobacco as a disease needs treatment. ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres and Tobacco Wellness program – Online are a call away. The ICanCaRe team of Certified tobacco Cessation Specialists and Quit Coaches work with you to make your journey smooth, easy, interesting, and achievable.

The ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Program incorporates an evidence protocol-based digitalized intervention program which is fully scientific, medically validated and has a 92% success rate.

ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres with India’s first digital protocol-based assessment process guide intervention as per requirements.

Do visit the ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres or register online by visiting our page or call ICanCaRe quitline 011-43077695.

Control the Cravings – 7th D of 7D Intervention of Quitting Tobacco and Smoking – Drug

Too long use of tobacco in any form – smoking or chewing, disturbs us and has become a part of our life and the tobacco consumer tends to associate lot of their routine activities with it. The timing of tobacco consumption have been such that many of the daily activities coincide with it, and we tend to associate performance with it and the routine activities becomes reminder as a part of 3Rs of habit loop.

Going back, when we started tobacco, the need was to hide and have it. So the best places or timings were when you are alone or away from the family.

  • Washroom – the best hiding place, no one to disturb you
  • On way to school/office – you are alone and travelling
  • In the school/office – hiding places are ample and you have friends who are part.
  • After lunch – free time
  • Coming back home – from school/office
  • Post Dinner – going for a walk

Initially what started as experiment later becomes reason and need. We associate with believe that tobacco enhances these activities. The physical dependency takes over and soon becomes part of life routine drawing one into the slavery of tobacco and justifying our actions.

These withdrawal symptoms need to be noted and addressed, it may require behavioural intervention and many times need medicines.

  1. Dry Mouth – this is very common.
    • Water intake – One needs to be hydrated throughout the day(related reading – Controlling the Withdrawals –  first D – Drink plenty of water)
    • Glycerine rinse – water with glycerine gargles
    • Honey – a spoonful will help
    • Amla – put pieces in the mouth and crush
    • Vitamin C chewable tablets
    • Sugarless toffees/candies – vitamin C, Citrus or mint flavoured. It has to be sugarless as dry mouth is highly prone for dental caries
    • If the dryness persists – medicines are available in the market
  2. Throat Irritation – this is specially more in smokers. The menthol added to cigarettes anaesthetises the throat to stop irritation from the other harmful chemicals. When you stop smoking the healing process in the throat may cause a little irritation
    • Frequent water intake – warm water is preferable
    • Steam inhalation
    • Non Alcoholic gargles for initial few days
    • Honey
  3. Tingling sensation in oral cavity – this is more so in tobacco chewers, related to the long chemical assault of the buccal mucosa, making it white and parch like and dry mouth
    • Plenty of water
    • Curcumin (haldi) gargles, chewing gums
    • Aloe vera gargles, toothgel keep it in the mouth and rinse
    • Medicines – Folic acid, Vitamin C chewing tablets,
    • Aspirin Gargles – as per advice of the Specialists
    • Examination of Oral Cavity is a must to rule out any Premalignant conditions
  4.  Withdrawal Cough – This is part of healing process and needs top be addressed early on (related reading – Coughing on quitting tobacco- What to do). This lasts for few weeks and is a manifestation of healing process
    • Steam inhalation
    • Saline gargles
    • Ayurvedic Khada, licorice
    • Mucolytics cough expectorants
    • Acapella respiratory devices
  5. Constipation – one of the most important part of withdrawal symptoms (related reading – Managing Constipation – Withdrawal symptoms)
    1. Water intake as a routine. (Related Reading –
    2. Add fibres to your diet – fruits, vegetables etc
    3. Lemon water with honey in the morning
    4. Warm milk with haldi in the night before going to bed
    5. Ayurvedic Triphla can be quiet helpful
    6. Medicines – Isabgol, Lactulose, Rarely pegylated glycol may be required
    7. Medicines to increase motility of intestine may be given when absolutely required

6. Digestive/Gastric imbalance – there is been a tendency of many to smoke or chew tobacco after food associating it as digestive agent. There is no such enzyme or chemicals in tobacco which aids digestion. On the contrary it is a gastric irritant. Some of the abdominal symptoms associated with tobacco withdrawals like bloating, indigestion, hyperacidity etc may be taken care by both ayurvedic (home solutions) or allopathic

    • Water 2 glasses half an hour before food – keeps you hydrated avoids bloating and aids digestion
    • Clove, elaichi etc after food may have smoothening effect as an alternative to have something after food
    • Jeera water it has wonderful effect on your intestine
    • Ayurvedic Digestive preparation available in the market like panchnol etc
    • Allopathic medicines like Proton pump inhibitors, digestive enzymes, liver enzymes may be required and to be taken under guidance and prescription of specialists.

7. Anxiety – related to office/public activities. This has been reasons by many to smoke or chew before any major activity like going for a meeting, public talk, etc

    • Deep breathing exercise calms your nerves
    • Hold your hand close to your ears make it into a fist, take a deep breath and with a jerk and sudden exhalation throw away the tension. Repeat this three times. You would get magical relief and calmness
    • Some who have severe anxiety and palpitation may require anxiolytics (alprazolam) or beta blockers (propranolol) to be given for a very short period of time for the initial few days after symptom discussion when other things do not work.

8. Sleeplessness – This may trouble in the initial days and once accustomed to be nicotine free one tends to have sound sleep

    • Have an early dinner, a warm bath, mild exercise like walking, cycling or stretching.
    • No aerated drinks, tea or coffee after 6 pm
    • Avoid electronic gadgets which tends to keep your mind active and confused.
    • Deep Breathing Exercise before going to bed. Calms you down.
    • Sav aashan as in YOGA is wonderful to make you light and sleepy.
    • In unavoidable situations medicines may be prescribed

9. Vitamin, Mineral and Antioxidants Deficiency– Vitamin D, Folic Acid, Vitamin C many minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium etc. These may manifest in various ways like fatigue, tiredness, dry skin, abdominal discomfort, bony pain, muscle cramps and myalgia, general feeling of discomfort.

    • Most tobacco users would have deficiency. A laboratory tests would establish the grade of deficiencies. Testing for certain minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium may be indicative for other mineral deficiency, as testing for all may not be possible and costly.
    • Supplements of vitamins and minerals, with therapeutic treatment of laboratory guided deficiency would improve the general well being bringing back the liveliness and buoyancy of life.
    • Tobacco masquerades the deficiency, when the nicotine level in body depletes the person starts manifesting the symptoms, which may be a big deterrent for a person to quit.
    • This has to be taken care early on to make the transition smooth into the world free from slavery of tobacco.

Tobacco users justify the tobacco use with some of the above withdrawal symptoms. Following the first session, the client is asked to note the triggers which are addressed during the subsequent intervention sessions. The ICanCaRe Android APP records your triggers.

The ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Program incorporates all the above in the digitalised protocol based intervention program designed by Mr Rishabh Agrawal.

ICanCaRe team of Certified tobacco Cessation Specialists and Quit Coaches work with you to make your journey smooth, easy, interesting and achievable.

ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres with its India’s first digital protocol based assessment process guide intervention as per requirements.

Do visit the ICanCaRe Tobacco Wellness Centres or register online by visiting our page or call ICanCaRe quitline 011-43077695.