It is possible to stop smoking
May 30, 2008
The ministry of health gives out guidance to smokers who want to quit, with the following tips:
By jackie Lumbasi
The ministry of health gives out guidance to smokers who want to quit, with the following tips:
- Decide to stop smoking.
- Gradually reduce on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day.
- Avoid the company of smokers and enticing environment like bars.
- Announce it to your friends as a commitment and stop them from offering you cigarettes.
- Keep busy with constructive work and exercise.
- Chew gum whenever you feel like smoking.
- Observe personal hygiene, clean your teeth and wear clean clothes (without cigarette holes).
Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi said after quitting successfully, the body will start healing itself. Some of the damage can be moderated with the use of antioxidants present in such foods as fruits and vegetables. The deeper the colour of the food, the greater the concentration — the deep red of tomatoes; the orange of carrots; the yellow of mangoes, etc.
Alternative therapy
Dr Jjuuko Ndawula of Alternative Medicine says smoking is not natural or pleasurable for the body. “That is why the body rejects cigarettes by hacking and coughing,†he said. “But you force yourself, urged on by nicotine till your body adjusts and adopts.â€
Ndawula takes people who want to quit through a series of positive thinking sessions that make a smoker picture himself as one undertaking a new rewarding adventure rather than as one being deprived of smoking pleasure. “It is a drugless therapy which is free, effective and available to everyone. It involves practicing regular rhythmic breathing: Sit in a comfortable position; Breathe at the rate of about 16 times a minute; Do not breathe too deeply for this might make you dizzy. Do this every time you crave for a smoke.â€
He adds that while trying to quit, eat good food at regular meal times, get adequate sleep, exercise each day and avoid stimulants like coffee and very spicy food. Drink plenty of fruit juice, especially the first three days to flush nicotine out of your system and abstain completely from all alcoholic drinks.
Herbal solution
According to Kenneth Opira of Homeopathy and Herbal Centre, Kampala, herbal medicines can help an individual to contain the urge to smoke. Opira, who holds postgraduate diploma in Herbal Medicine from the Institute of Natural Healing in the UK, says these herbs must be taken consistently until the habit dies.
“Take a guava after each of the three meals in a day,†he says. The large amount of Vitamin C neutralises nicotine by filtering the amount of nicotine that flows into the blood stream. Consistently taken, three to six months should be enough to help you break nicotine dependency.
Another herb is a hogweed (Pata pata in Acholi, Magunda in Luganda and Eirengye in Runyankole). Boil a handful of dried leaves in one litre of water and take twice a day — morning and evening till you feel liberated from the urge to smoke.
The Corn plant or Fragrance flower (Omulamula in Luganda) also works. Boil a handful of dried flowers and pounded seeds in one litre of water, take it in the morning and in the evening till you defeat the urge.
Knowing that smoking is bad and quitting are two different matters. Take action!
The ministry of health gives out guidance to smokers who want to quit, with the following tips:
- Decide to stop smoking.
- Gradually reduce on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day.
- Avoid the company of smokers and enticing environment like bars.
- Announce it to your friends as a commitment and stop them from offering you cigarettes.
- Keep busy with constructive work and exercise.
- Chew gum whenever you feel like smoking.
- Observe personal hygiene, clean your teeth and wear clean clothes (without cigarette holes).
Dr Sheila Ndyanabangi said after quitting successfully, the body will start healing itself. Some of the damage can be moderated with the use of antioxidants present in such foods as fruits and vegetables. The deeper the colour of the food, the greater the concentration — the deep red of tomatoes; the orange of carrots; the yellow of mangoes, etc.
Alternative therapy
Dr Jjuuko Ndawula of Alternative Medicine says smoking is not natural or pleasurable for the body. “That is why the body rejects cigarettes by hacking and coughing,†he said. “But you force yourself, urged on by nicotine till your body adjusts and adopts.â€
Ndawula takes people who want to quit through a series of positive thinking sessions that make a smoker picture himself as one undertaking a new rewarding adventure rather than as one being deprived of smoking pleasure. “It is a drugless therapy which is free, effective and available to everyone. It involves practicing regular rhythmic breathing: Sit in a comfortable position; Breathe at the rate of about 16 times a minute; Do not breathe too deeply for this might make you dizzy. Do this every time you crave for a smoke.â€
He adds that while trying to quit, eat good food at regular meal times, get adequate sleep, exercise each day and avoid stimulants like coffee and very spicy food. Drink plenty of fruit juice, especially the first three days to flush nicotine out of your system and abstain completely from all alcoholic drinks.
Herbal solution
According to Kenneth Opira of Homeopathy and Herbal Centre, Kampala, herbal medicines can help an individual to contain the urge to smoke. Opira, who holds postgraduate diploma in Herbal Medicine from the Institute of Natural Healing in the UK, says these herbs must be taken consistently until the habit dies.
“Take a guava after each of the three meals in a day,†he says. The large amount of Vitamin C neutralises nicotine by filtering the amount of nicotine that flows into the blood stream. Consistently taken, three to six months should be enough to help you break nicotine dependency.
Another herb is a hogweed (Pata pata in Acholi, Magunda in Luganda and Eirengye in Runyankole). Boil a handful of dried leaves in one litre of water and take twice a day — morning and evening till you feel liberated from the urge to smoke.
The Corn plant or Fragrance flower (Omulamula in Luganda) also works. Boil a handful of dried flowers and pounded seeds in one litre of water, take it in the morning and in the evening till you defeat the urge.
Knowing that smoking is bad and quitting are two different matters. Take action!