Tobacco related diseases kill over 44 000 South Africans and over seven million South Africans smoke. Smoking rates at the national level are lower, where 35.1% of men smoke compared to 10.2% of women.
Tobacco use among adolescents is the highest in the Western Cape, where 32.5% of adolescent men and 18.9% of adolescent women smoke.
Tobacco related diseases kill over 44 000 South Africans and over seven million South Africans smoke. Smoking rates at the national level are lower, where 35.1% of men smoke compared to 10.2% of women.
Tobacco use among adolescents is the highest in the Western Cape, where 32.5% of adolescent men and 18.9% of adolescent women smoke.
Especially harmful to women’s health
Smoking causes various cancers (lung, mouth, oesophagus, larynx, pharynx, stomach and pancreas), heart disease, stroke, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other fatal diseases in both men and women.
However, women are at a greater risk of developing cervical cancer and osteoporosis than nonsmoking women.
Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to have birth complications and women who smoke may experience infertility, painful menstruation and premature menopause.
Women who use oral contraceptives have a signifi cantly higher risk of heart disease and strokes if they smoke than those who do not smoke.
Tobacco use often begins by age 16 and girls have more diffi culty with stopping smoking. They experience stronger dependence on smoking and more negative withdrawal symptoms.
Action to reduce tobacco use among women
Lets join hands with the Tobacco Control Team of the Western Cape and the Heart and Stroke Foundation
SA to help protect the world’s women and girls from their growing addiction to lethal tobacco products.
“Help raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and prevent your daughters from becoming a statistic in years to come,” says a registered dietitian of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Erika Ketterer.
Tips to quit smoking
•Set a quit date – sooner than later and have a plan (throw away away your cigarettes, ashtrays, lighters)
•Make a list of the reasons why you want to quit
•Decide whether you want to stop gradually or suddenly
•Identify triggers that make you want to smoke
•Have a plan for the quit day – change your habits and routine to stay smoke free
• Avoid associations with cigarettes such as avoid smokers or going to places where you used to smoke
• Exercise and get more active
• Eat healthily to prevent weight gain
• Find ways to cope with withdrawal symptoms
• Find ways to manage cravings/strong urge to smoke
• Delay the moment by taking a walk to relax you
• Do something else with your hands eg play with a pen
• Drink lots of water
• Practice deep breathing
•Plan small rewards with the money you save
•Get support from your family, friends and coworkers and tell them you plan to quit
•Get information/counselling from a quit smoking organisation
•Be strongly motivated – you can do it!
After one week, you will feel the worst is over. It usually takes a few months of not smoking to be fully comfortable with your new lifestyle so give your mind and body time to adjust.
Also, “if you relapse, keep pressing on the biggest mistake most smokers make when trying to quit is by giving up after failing”, continues Ketterer.
Who to contact
• National Quit Line 011 720 3145
• National Council Against Smoking 011 725 1514 Fax 011- 720 6177
www.againstsmoking.org
• Smokenders 021 788 9120
www.smokeenders.co.za 086 110 0079
They provide a seven week quit smoking programme. Meetings are attended once per week.
• Nicorette Kick Butt Programme 0860 410032
www.nicorette.co.za
They also have a resident medical expert who you can contact on 021 710 4000.
They have a support programme which provides people with advice and day by day
information on how to quit.They have an email/SMS support programme which provides
daily support for the fi rst four weeks of the programme and at key intervals
thereafter. They have a day at a time diary that informs you of your key quitting
milestones and the benefi ts you should be experiencing along the way
• Allen Carr Easyway Clinics 0861 100 200 www.allencarr.co.za
Clinics available in Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth
• The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa www.heartfoundation.co.za
• Heart Mark Diet Line: 0860 223 222 – free nutritional advice
