![Dr Kelly Ahrendse, an Emergency Medical Doctor at Khayelitsha District Hospital. Dr Kelly Ahrendse, an Emergency Medical Doctor at Khayelitsha District Hospital.](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/dr_kelly_ahrendse.jpg)
It may seem trivial, but as soon as you put out your cigarette for good, you are a step closer to a healthier future. As we commemorate World No-Tobacco Day on 31 May, it is important to know that you can drastically increase your risk of serious diseases by smoking cigarettes and other forms of tobacco. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that nearly 8 million people die due to tobacco – 7 million because of smoking it themselves, and at least 1,2 million deaths are the result of exposure to second-hand smoke. Lifelong tobacco smokers lose an average of at least ten years of life.
In South Africa, 37% of men and 7% of women smoke regularly, with higher percentages in the Western and Northern Cape provinces, particularly among women (25% and 18% respectively)[1]. Tobacco smoke weakens the immune system[2] and compromises the ability of the lungs to fight viral and bacterial infections[3]. Having optimal lung function is critical when dealing with a virus such as COVID-19 that primarily attacks respiratory health[4]. E-cigarettes and vaping have also been linked to lung damage and cardiovascular diseases[5].
"All types of tobacco have a high chance of causing lung, heart and brain disease. Smoking can kill you. To reduce your risk, stop smoking," says Dr Kelly Ahrendse, an Emergency Medical Doctor at Khayelitsha District Hospital.
Smoking increases your risk for developing cancers, heart disease and lung disease. When pregnant women smoke or are exposed to others’ smoking, it increases the chances of the baby being stillborn or born with a very low birth weight.
“Many people think there are ‘safe’ options or ‘safe’ levels of exposure to tobacco, but tobacco is harmful!” says Sr Roenell Balie, who works in the Cape Winelands. “We often hear that people think it is okay if they smoke cigarettes. Please hear us: cigarettes are drugs just like other substances. The negative impact on your health is undeniable.”
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) contribute to the burden of disease in the Western Cape. NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide. The rise of NCDs has been driven by primarily four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets[6].
Some concerning statistics include:
Source: https://www.heartfoundation.co.za/stop-smoking/.
While the negative impact of smoking is clear, so are the benefits when you stop. CANSA highlights that just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your blood pressure improves. Eight hours after quitting, the oxygen level in your blood rises to normal. Within just 24 hours after quitting, your chance of a heart attack decreases.
More benefits when you quit smoking:
Here are some tips to help you change your smoking patterns:
If you need help to quit smoking, contact the Heart and Stroke Health Line at 0860 1 4278 or CANSA’s e-Kick Butt Programme (www.ekickbutt.co.za).
Invest in your health by putting out your cigarette for good.
[1] Westwood ATR, Gray D, Vanker A. Tobacco, nicotine and e-cigarettes: Protecting children in south africa. South African Journal of Child Health. 2019;13(1):4-5.
[2] Sopori M. Effects of cigarette smoke on the immune system. Nature Reviews Immunology. 2002;2(5):372-7.
[3] Information note on COVID-19 and NCDs. (2020). World Health Organization. Avaialble from: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/covid-19-and-ncds
[4] Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Tobacco Q&A. (2020). Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-to....
[5] Gotts JE, Jordt S-E, McConnell R, Tarran R. What are the respiratory effects of e-cigarettes? bmj. 2019;366.
[6] Non-communicable diseases. Factsheets. (2017). World Health Organization. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs355/en/.