Category: Tobacco

Articles on harmful effects and impact of Tobacco in our lifestyle. Remedies to Quit Tobacco easily and much more. Keep Reading.

A 77 years old doctor smoker, should he quit now?

Author – Dr. Siddhi Hathiwala. MDS, Public Health Dentistry (2013), CTCS (2020)

During our weekly session of CTCS course for cessation experts, a point was raised about a 77-years old person, doctor by profession and describing himself in good health state in spite of being a chronic smoker for over 40 years. It was discussed that whether or not should this person be encouraged for quitting tobacco.

The scenario was brought up that if one of his friends tries to come up with this suggestion, the very first point that he will put that ‘I am a doctor myself, and all my health reports are perfect. Smoking tobacco has not caused me harm in the way it is presented. Above all, it helps me stay energetic for my clinical practice’. So it is true, as a doctor, he must be perfectly aware that tobacco causes harm to its consumers. Additionally, he must also be knowing that the diagnosis of an impending cancer can be very abrupt and alarming situation.

The point he must not have thought about is being a respectable social figure himself, he is presenting a wrong attitude before the society, especially the young generation. The young folks around him would look at him and consider that ‘smoking is super essential for having a successful long career’ or that ‘tobacco does not kill’. His patients must see him having discoloured teeth, and think ‘if my doctor smokes I too can continue my habit without harm.’

So, it is highly recommended that this aged doctor should participate in a tobacco cessation program and put up his best efforts to discontinue tobacco usage. It does not actually matter here if he is able to successfully quit or not, because in both ways he will become a ‘Role Model’ for a large number of people.

Firstly, it highlights the fact that attempt to quit is important. It can be any age, any duration, any form of tobacco. The harm caused by tobacco products includes strong addiction. If one stays away from them as low as 72 hours, they can overcome addiction and withdrawal symptoms to a large extent. The benefits of quitting start appearing and continue over the time. So, ‘Quitting brings Better Health – Each day, Each year’.

Secondly, if he fails, he can be an example for youngsters for the difficulties faced during quit process. De-addiction is a long process, which is full of ups and downs for the patient. It takes a strong commitment and hard work; and so many people face failure. The addiction caused by tobacco products makes it difficult for even a doctor to quit, leave apart any layman. So, it is the best practice for all to stay away from these products. So, ‘Be Smart, Do Not Start’.

An ICanCaRe-certified tobacco cessation specialist follows the ABCD Of tobacco cessation for a 100% quit rate.

Book appointment to start a healthy tobacco/smoke-free life with the best in class tobacco/smoking cessation experts at www.icancare.in/quittobacco or call 011-430-77695 for help. Download the ICanCaRe e-cessation app for quitting smoking and tobacco at https://app.icancare.in. 

Dilemma of a Doctor – Advise to Quit or Not?

Dilemma of a doctor – A 44 year old tobacco chewer with advance stage of cancer – should he be asked to quit tobacco???

Author – Dr. Monalee Prasad, BDS(2007), PGD in Aesthetic Dentistry (2009),TII -IDA(2020) ,OCTC (2021), CTCS (2021).

This is a case of a 44 year-old male patient suffering from Stage IV recurrent oral cancer with extensive neck and systemic metastasis. He was being treated somewhere in Uttarakhand. He attended OPD for treatment. He has been a chronic chewer and smoker for years and he continues to do so even after being diagnosed with advanced cancer with a short life expectancy. Besides the palliative treatment, the big question is about his tobacco – Should we ask him to quit? Or should we not ask him to quit?

How should we plan his treatment with regards to tobacco cessation?

The case was put for discussion during the tutorial for Certified Tobacco Cessation Specialists were – different difficult cases that we come across in Tobacco Cessation practice and their treatment are planned. It was a mixed opinion with more suggesting  that the patient should be told to quit tobacco.

The same question was put in the group who are actively working for tobacco control and the majority said that the above patient needs to quit so that the treatment will be helpful and the organs will respond better to treatment.

Now opinion from group of oncologists was seeked, unanimously they said there is no need for him to quit tobacco.

The argument put forth by was that with Stage IV cancer there is no hope of his long survival and it will not be of much help at this juncture to force him to quit. Also the handling of withdrawal symptoms is more difficult in this case along with the Palliative care that has to be provided. It will not improve the quality of life of this already dying patient.

Hence, it wouldn’t matter whether we advise him to quit or not. It would be his wish.

Also, in case we are able to convince him to quit; there are two case scenarios which were discussed and how we can use it as a positive messaging for the next generation.

One scenario is where he is able to quit completely and then the message that can be conveyed through him that even though he suffered from taking tobacco and has reached the last stage of his life, he could quit his habit with the help of our esteemed doctors. And if he can do it, anyone at any stage can do it and the sooner one quits, the better it is for health.

Second case scenario is when he is unable to quit despite all the efforts by the doctors and himself and he continues to smoke till his last breath. The message that we can pass on in this situation is that Tobacco is a deadly disease and really addictive one. Message is clear for the youngsters and family members – never to start such a habit and quit as early as possible. BE SMART DO NOT START and if you have then please QUIT.

So, an important learning was shared via this case by Dr. Pawan as to how to choose the messaging we need to convey to the society at large and always choose the treatment keeping the patient’s overall benefit in mind.

Medical treatment is available to quit tobacco and treatment from the cessation specialists should be seeked.

Do share your thoughts on this in the comments below? What would be your choice of treatment?

Inner Wheel District 304 join hands with ICanCaRe to launch #SAVEtheyouth from Tobacco.

Inner Wheel District 304, motivated by Mrs. Sonal Bhatia, Tobacco MARSHAL leader, join hands with ICanCaRe to promote Tobacco Control – SAVE the youth from Tobacco and build manpower to work towards tobacco endgame.

The initiation was when District Chairman Mrs Shashi Shukla had an online meeting with her district Presidents and Members on “WOMEN AS TOBACCO MARSHALS TO SAVE THE YOUTH” and introduction of the concept of Tobacco MARSHALs on 25th February 2023.

More than 120 including presidents and members of district 304 attended the meet with the outcome of enthusiasm to work for a better and healthier society as TOBACCO MARSHALs. Mrs Shashi stressed that tobacco is omnipresent, and it is important that inner wheel members come forward to tame the tambaku-asur.

Mrs. Sonal Bhatia, leader Tobacco MARSHAL a great motivator and who achieved a target of 1000 tobacco MARSHAL in 5 months during her tenure as DC of 310  was great appreciated for her pioneering work as a Tobacco Marshal along with her members . Her unique endeavour to reach out to the rural areas and create sensitization followed by training of 550 tobacco MINI-MARSHALs of NCC girls from the rural background was applauded and sought to be used as an example to follow by all to increase our reach and penetration in the most needed areas in our country .It is  Important for  capacity building, to get more and more girls and  women involved as Tobacco MARSHALs or MINI- MARSHALs to widen the campaign. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/icancare/permalink/1015483439099535/)

Dr. Pawan Gupta, Dr. Reena R Kumar,  Dr. Pravesh Singh and Mr. Rishabh Agrawal from ICanCaRe delivered a talk at a webinar on ( 25/02/2023  1500- 1700 hrs ) emphasizing  on the damages thrust on  women by tobacco and how women can become the shakti against Tobacco by commitment and empowerment by training.

Dr. Pravesh Singh, the first Teacher TOBACCO MARSHAL of India, said how as a TOBACCO MARSHAL was empowered to  create transformation  in her Institute. Teachers have a major role to play in the life of students and can instill right thoughts in the mind of a child from the very beginning.

Rishabh showcased the ICanCaRe APP (www.app.icancare.in) which is a handy tool to self educate for the addicts and learn about the harms of tobacco .

Members expressed their enthusiasm to become TOBACCO MARSHAL and SAVE the youth from the menace of tobacco. Mrs. Beena Shah, Vice-Chairman of Inner Wheel District also expressed her full support and to carry on this as a project during her tenure

Interest from the audience evoked numerous questions at the webinar.  It was agreed that it is important that we start tobacco control from our home and go on to increase our area of influence in society. Every woman should be empowered to save the present and future generation from the  TAMBAKUASUR

Mrs. Sonal Bhatia expressed her gratitude as her wish to achieve 10000 tobacco MARSHALS gains momentum with the inner wheel district joining  her in her mission to SAVE the youth- NO ONE SHOULD DIE BECAUSE OF TOBACCO.

It is really heartening to note that district 304 of Inner Wheel involved with District Chairman, Mrs. Shashi Shukla, is all set in taking the lead. She assured that more and more members will get involved.

  1. To become a tobacco MARSHAL one has to register on www.icancare.in/academy/marshal and pay a fee of Rs.1450/-. The course would be conducted by experts as per guidelines that will be followed for a standardized and timely upgraded course by ICanCaRe.
  2. Knowledge – 4 hours of live interaction in 2 hours sessions. 8 modules. By experts.
  3. The Topic will contain the following encompassing the following requirements: RELEVANCE, RISK, REWARDS, ROADBLOCKS, RECOGNITION, RESPOND, REFER, and RESPONSIBILITY

The journey has become for the NARI SHAKTI to end the menace of tambaku-ashur,

#innerwheel #innerwheel304 #innerwheel310 #sonalbhatia #shashishukla #praveshsingh #pawagupta #reenarkumar #tobaccomarshal #icancare #womenhealthinitiative #womenhealth