Smokers get helping hand

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 22

Want to quit Smoking ? The government is now extending a helping hand for the same. Nicotine chewing gums, transdermal patches and psychotropic medicines are now available at de-addiction centre located at the Civil Hospital.

“We have received chewing gums, patches and other stuff at the Civil Hospital. These are being offered free of cost. A single chewing gum costs around Rs300 and a patch costs around Rs700 but everything is provided for free at the Civil Hospital,” said Civil Surgeon Dr Parvinder Pal Singh Sidhu.

Patients coming to the de-addiction centre can be smokers and they are being encouraged to quit smoking, he said.

Dr Sidhu said smoking does not only kills the smoker but also turn people around them into passive smokers. “Passive smoking is equally dangerous. It increases the risk of heart diseases by 25-40 per cent,” he said.

Effects of smoking on health

• Chances of lung and throat cancer
• Results in breathlessness
• Increased risk of lung infection
• Permanent damage to air sacs in lungs
• Raises blood pressure and heart rate Reduces bone density