Here’s how you can quit smoking

From nicotine gums and patches to counselling and yoga, there are various tools to help you quit smoking. May 31 is World No Tobacco Day

Want to kick the (cigarette) butt, but not being able to? The city offers several options through which one can quit smoking, in a holistic manner.

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Metrolife spoke to various health experts to understand the different options which could work.

‘Counselling a must’

Whatever the method, counselling has been an integral part.

Dr Rajshekhar C Jaka, head of the department-surgical oncology and robotic surgery, BR Life SSNMC Hospital, says, “When a patient approaches me, we make sure that they are told about the 19 cancers (including cancers of the throat, mouth, lung, pancreas) that they stand at risk of while smoking. An emotional approach to quitting also helps strengthen one’s decision. Financial losses due to smoking are also explained to them.”

He adds that the risk of a patient relapsing is high if proper counselling procedure is not followed.

Fear helps in quitting

Sachi Bhavesh, a clinical psychiatrist, says that it is important to impress upon the smoker the practical benefits of quitting smoking.

“Fear is what drives most people to take a quick decision. The fear of losing their health needs to be instilled in the smokers’ minds,” she says, adding that once they have quit, they need to be helped with a step-by-step approach to deal with withdrawal symptoms and temptation.

Gums and patches suggested by doctors

According to the number of cigarettes that were being smoked, a person is suggested the number of nicotine gums or patches to use. “A person smoking 20 cigarettes per day is asked to use 3 to 4 gums or patches,” Dr Rajshekhar C Jaka says.

Naturopathy works only when they are willing to quit

Dr Navaneetha R K, who runs Molake Nature Cure, says that naturopathy works only when the patient is determined to change habits.

“Stimulating the inner potential is important. This comes with yogic counselling, yoga and breathing techniques and lifestyle modifications. The treatment is administered in a way that they will not feel the need to go back to cigarettes again.”

“In severe cases, we introduce acupuncture immediately,” she adds. Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine in which specific points in the body are pricked using thin needles.

Changes can be seen in 15 days to a month. “One can quit as early as three months if they have the determination,” she adds.

Nirdosh is an alternative to cigarettes
which is made of herbs. Pic courtesy: Daosmoke

Don’t abruptly cut down on cigarettes

Dr Nikita Dinesh, consultant, Shathayu Ayurveda Yoga Retreat, says the centre offers a 20 and 30-day programme to quit smoking.

“A minimum of three weeks is required to quit smoking. We don’t believe in abruptly cutting down on the number of cigarettes. We offer them alternatives like Nirdosh (which contains herbal ingredients like basil, licorice, turmeric, Indian bdellium and cinnamon). These give them a slight buzz but do not have nicotine or tobacco. We then slowly wean the people of these. Various detoxification methods are used and daily counselling is included in the programme.”

Yoga and ayurvedic medicated therapies like Shirodhara, and supportive therapies for withdrawal symptoms like headaches are also included.

She observes that it is mostly youngsters, from 27 to 37 year old, who are coming for the programmes. “We have seen a 20 percent increase in the number of patients in just one year,” she says.

First three weeks are crucial

Often people turn to homoeopathy when most options fail, says Dr Joy Krishna Banerjee, who runs Dr Banerjee Homeopathy.

“The urge to smoke is more mental. Homeopathic medicines, which internalise the want of smoking into consuming good food like fruits and vegetables, are administered,” he says.

Fruits and vegetables are suggested according to season. “Mango, chikoo, carrot and radish are great smoking inhibitors. Avoiding non-vegetarian food at night also helps.”

“The first three weeks are crucial. Fighting the psychological warfare between family and friends is the difficult part. Once this is overcome, the patient is on a path of well-being,” he says.

He adds, “With homeopathy, it takes around 3 to 4 months to quit.”