BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – It is never too late to kick the habit.
Dr. Endrik Sy of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) emphasized this as he called on individuals who are into smoking and vaping to quit the habit.
Sy said that the BGHMC and other health centers have a Smoking Cessation Clinic where individuals who want to quit smoking and using vape can seek consultation.
He emphasized that breaking bad habits is beneficial, it can lead to improved physical and mental health.
“Within 20 minutes na tumigil sa paninigarilyo, puwede nang bumaba ang heart rate at blood pressure. Halimbawa, ‘pag one week na, ‘yung carbon monoxide levels sa katawan, bababa na po. Within one year, ‘yung risk po nila sa heart attack, bumababa na po by half and then, ‘pag tumagal na ‘yan by five to ten years na hindi naninigarilyo, ‘yung risk nila for cancer, bumababa na rin po. Aabot na po na ‘yung risk nila ay katulad ng non-smokers,” Sy elaborated.
He emphasized that anyone can quit smoking or vaping no matter how long the habit is. It just takes determination and support.
“It’s never too late to stop smoking. Smoking and vaping kills. It’s very bad for your health so we encourage everyone to stop smoking and stop vaping,” he said.
Smoking and vaping pose potential health risks including stroke, cataract, mouth or throat cancer, heart attack, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and impotence, among others.
Sy informed that the BGHMC and other health centers have a Smoking Cessation Clinic where individuals who want to quit smoking and using vape can seek consultation.
“May consultation na ginagawa, nagpro-provide po kami ng counseling sa patient, matulungan natin na ma-realize nila na ang nakasasamang nagagawa ng paninigarilyo,” Sy said.
He said that apart from intensive counseling, the clinic offers nicotine replacement therapy that can be in the form of a patch or candy. These are prescribed to gradually lessen the nicotine levels of the patients.
“‘Yun po, ibinibigay namin sa mga pasyente lalo ‘yung malalakas manigarilyo at inaalalayan natin sila na masanay na unti-unting bumaba ‘yung nicotine levels nila,” he said.
Proclamation No. 183 declares every month of June as National No Smoking Month to raise public awareness of the ill effects of smoking and encourage smokers to quit the said habit.**JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
