Tobacco Harm Reduction Alternatives

If you or you know someone who is a smoker, then I am sure this article can help you or your loved one. Because today I wanted to bring this topic into awareness; the "Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR)" and what are some of the things that we should know of and also the less harmful alternatives that smokers can look into.

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I used to be a smoker before when I was in my teenager years on-going to entering the big big world of adulthood and work-life. I was basically curious why people smoke and it got me intrigued to try it out. I will say influence plays a huge role here and that is why I am here to influence you to reduce or quit smoking altogether. Because I was only a social smoker, I smoke just to fit in to the crowd, I smoke to fit in with the group or mix with certain groups. I even had to smoke just to bond and communicate with some of my teammates that I was managing. And it was not something that I enjoy honestly. I did it to fit into the social circle and it was bad, for my health literally.

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You may think it is cool but actually you are harming not only yourself but the people around you. That's why when I met my husband, I am grateful that he didn't smoke and I was able to quit altogether because of him, because I didn't need to smoke at all thereafter. That's why I firmly believe the 5 people you mix with today are the average of your outcome today. Just look around you and see who are your current circle of friends you liaise with daily and their habits and you will see somewhat a reflection of some in your own habits.

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However, you can be the change in others by changing yourself first. That is why when you make a firm and informed decision to change the way you live your life, not only you benefit but, because of your little action, it can affect good little changes amongst the people around you watching you, following you, learning from you and copying you (consciously and subconsciously). So let's get down to the topic!

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Tobacco! Do you even know what is this? I don't, but when I started smoking, I know it will damage my health and my organs. Some say, take a deep breath in and you will feel the difference. Some love that feeling, some that's the feeling of damage happening silently. Some just take puffs and blow it all out thinking that it is more healthier or less damaging but, have you even heard of secondhand smokers or even third hand smokers? Second Hand are those that literally can see and smell the smoke you just puffed out, even if they aren't smoking. That's why if you smoke around people, those people will become secondhand smokers involuntarily. Third Hand smokers on the other hand are your loved ones waiting for you at home. They will get it directly from you because the smoke is already all over your skin, hair, body, breath and your clothes, even in your vehicle. Basically, that's how your entire family that lives with you, young or old, becomes third hand smokers involuntarily. 

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Sounds scary right? But it's true. I went through over the years hearing news and information of this to be well-informed of my decisions to quit this because it wasn't enjoyable to me. Did I even mention the cost of the cigarettes? You could save them up for a proper House or Car or even a better healthcare solution. That's why it is important for you to know what is Tobacco, what is Nicotine, what is Tar?

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If Tar is an ingredient in the cigarette and tar is also an ingredient used to build road pavements, what am I building inside my body when I smoke these tar-cigarettes? Imagine it. 

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Let me share a personal story of mine, I know someone who had lung cancer, spent thousands and suffered through treatments and eventually thought he was almost recovered but the cancer came back in vengeance and he went into relapse until he passed on shortly after just a couple of days. This was like 10 over years ago, this person I know of loves to drink and smoke everyday! He can literally smoke more than 3 packets of cigarettes a day and he just smells cigarettes all day. Another one story of mine is from a friend, her husband was a chain smoker and she wanted him to stop. He dutifully tried but it was hard back then, he immediately stop his chain smoking but it was bad, he was already addicted to it. He started getting chills and he was have runny nose and it was so bad that his hand will shake and shiver unless he gets his daily puff. Why do I share these 2 stories with you is not to encourage you to continue but because it was because of so many individuals and so many years of research that many has gone through and passed on that today, we should be grateful that no matter what happened, it was for a good reason. Thanks to them and so many people out there finding ways for all of those who have been trying to quit smoking to live healthier without suffering the addiction of the non-smoking effects; Harm Awareness Association (HAA) is the forefront of reducing harm in every aspect in life, which I am featuring in this post today on Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR).

So now we know that burning a cigarette is super harmful to everyone. What can we do to gradually reduce this and eventually stop? How can this post help you as a smoker or someone you know?

References : https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/nicotine/
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2009/05/31/4000-chemicals-in-cigarettes
https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/cancer-prevention/smoking/whats-in-a-cigarette
https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/whats-in-a-cigarette
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/215420#1
https://www.lung.org/research/sotc/by-the-numbers/10-worst-diseases-smoking-causes
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm 

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Here's a few alternatives that one can opt for a replacement to cigarettes but it’s important to note that while these products are not risk-free, they do however contain significantly lower levels of toxicants, thus, reducing harm to the human body.

1. E-Cigarettes

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Examples: Vape, vape pens, e-hookah, e-pipe, e-cigars and many more. 

What is it: A battery-operated device that does not contain tobacco. Instead, it works by heating an e-liquid to emit a vaporized solution upon inhalation to simulate tobacco smoking (but with relatively less harmful vapor!). The e-liquid typically contains a mixture of chemicals, artificial flavourings, and nicotine. However, options for non-nicotine e-cigarettes are also available.

I know of some who took this and eventually choose sweet flavourings and gotten used to it until they opted for similar flavoured sweets/candies as substitutes and eventually quit vaping altogether.

2. Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs)

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Examples: IQOS, Ploom TECH, PAX, Glo and many more. 

What is it: HTPs are devices that employ battery-powered heating systems to heat tobacco to produce nicotine. Unlike cigarettes, HTPs do not burn tobacco, but as its name implies, heats it before allowing it to reach its combustion point.

I know of some who took this and eventually choose sweet flavourings and gotten used to it until they opted for similar flavoured sweets/candies as substitutes and eventually go quit smoking altogether.

3. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

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Examples: Nicotine infused products such as gum, patches, lozenges, inhalers and more. 

What is it: A commonly used, medically approved method that administers nicotine to a user without the harmful chemicals found in tobacco. NRT comes in many sizes, shapes, and forms, designed to help those who quit smoking - especially those who suffer from severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms. NRTs are widely available at pharmacies. 

I know of some who took this and eventually choose the real gums and lozenges without nicotine as substitutes and eventually quit relying on nicotine's altogether.

4. Smokeless Tobacco

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Examples: Snus, snuff tobacco or chewing tobacco.

What is it: Smokeless tobacco supplies nicotine without the combustion of tobacco and is administered either orally or nasally. As it does not involve the combustion of tobacco, therefore presenting no risks without smoke inhalation, smokeless tobacco is generally considered less harmful than smoking cigarettes - albeit, addictive.

I know of some who took this tobacco nasally and eventually choose the minyak angin instead to sniff and ward off the addiction and eventually quit relying on such snuff tobacco altogether.

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Please note all these alternatives are not to encourage you to keep smoking for life, but when you make an informed decision to switch to these less harmful alternatives, make you have a goal in mind with a clear intention that the reason for the switch is to ultimately lead you to gradually reducing your smoking habits until you can totally quit smoking completely and live a healthier and more prosperous life that you and your loved ones truly deserve!
Reference : https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/using-e-cigarettes-to-stop-smoking/ 

Having said that, this period of pandemic should be seen as an opportunity to quit smoking. Keep our body clear from harmful substances, as we do not know how bad the virus could affect us even in a healthy state. If that is too challenging, try slowing down on cigarettes and vapes, at least throughout this pandemic. Allow our system to fight infections optimally. Because when all this ends, all we really want is to be able to breathe in fresher air, with no face masks getting in the way… let alone cigarettes.
Reference : https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2021/05/712162/merokok-meningkatkan-risiko-dijangkiti-covid-19

For More Updates, Please Follow HAA website for more!