The forthcoming days have many dedicated days to various causes in the world. For instance May 31 is the 'World No Tobacco Day' that was declared in 1987 by the World Health Organization because of the tobacco epidemic and the preventable death and the diseases it can cause.
World No Tobacco Day is an opportunity, WHO says to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure as well as to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.
The Observer has a special podcast to mark this day with Dr Rothman P T, pulmonologist, who says there is so much to talk about it because there are various aspects that need to be highlighted.
What was fascinating was to learn about third-hand smoke exposure.
Third-hand smoke exposure is when a person who has been sitting with you smokes and your clothes carry the smell. It doesn’t end there what if you are in a hotel room that was previously used by a smoker? It does not matter how long, Dr Rothman explained the content remains and begin to react with products that are then and now you are there to inhale it.
Have always been aware of the second hand smoke exposure. We make sure children are not there in the same space, but the child can come there after a while so there is still a danger of third-hand exposure.
Probably we are far better today compared to the 70s, 80s and 90s. At least there have been so many developments and regulations. There are regulations that prohibits people from smoking indoors. So if the heat has not deterred people from smoking (even under harsh conditions), what would?
Spoke to a smoker and he said let us have at least this luxury. Rich or poor a person can have a smoke.
So what is it that keeps them wanting more.
The culprit is Dopamine.
Dr Rothman explained the connection of it all with the brain. He said Dopamine is the one that urges the smoker to take more because the nicotine in the cigarettes. It makes the brain happy. In other words the brain gets addicted to the dopamine released during the smoke.
Soon it becomes a habit.
Imagine there was a time when there were smokers in cinema theatres and in flights. I remember as a child telling a co-passenger, excuse me, my mother is allergic to smoke.
There are many ways to overcome this and release the dopamine. Just read about it that if there is a low deficiency of dopamine ensuring good enough sleep, listening to music, getting sunshine and meditating could help. But if you need to overcome nicotine dependency then a consultation with a doctor is the best solution and they do have solutions.
Why shouldn’t we smoke?
There are at least 16 diseases linked to it and that include using smokeless tobacco.
Most importantly there is someone else who needs protection- our planet.
The theme this year’s World No Tobacco Day is ‘Protect our Environment.’
Don’t forget to tune in to Oman Observer Podcast to find out more.
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