Myths and Facts About Quitting Smoking: Debunking Common Misconceptions

Some fear that they will gain weight when they quit smoking, while others give in to despair, believing that it is too late, or others resort to rolled tobacco instead of regular cigarettes, believing that it is less harmful.

But in fact, all these myths and legends have been refuted Health Authority Scottish National.

Smoking is the single most important cause of preventable death globally, currently claiming the lives of one in ten adults worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, which celebrates World No Tobacco Day on May 31 of each year.

Here are some of these myths associated with trying to quit that bad habit.

‘The damage has already been done’

Some smokers think that the opportunity to quit smoking has passed, that this step will not make a difference, and that the odds of developing cancer or any other disease related to smoking have already increased.

But health experts stress that it is never too late, for anyone, to quit smoking, because “once that is done, your body will begin to repair itself, and you will notice an improvement in your breathing, taste and smell after a few days of abstaining from smoking,” according to Scottish Health.

“Within a year, the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases will be reduced,” she adds.

She also indicates that the step of quitting smoking will contribute to improving the health of family and friends by protecting them from second-hand smoke, or what is called “passive smoking.”

“I’m going to gain weight.”

It is normal for a smoker to have concerns about gaining weight when they stop. This is because nicotine suppresses the body’s natural appetite, making it burn calories faster.

But a slight increase in weight may occur when a person quits smoking and replaces it with unhealthy meals, but if he follows a healthy diet, he is unlikely to gain weight as a result of this important step.

Health Scotland says: “Not everyone who quits smoking will gain weight. It’s the decisions you make about what you eat and how active you are that will affect your weight.”

“not nicotine”

Some smokers think that the main problem with cigarettes is nicotine, but in fact this substance is not harmful, but rather highly addictive.

Health Scotland says: “It is the components and other chemicals such as carbon monoxide and tar in tobacco smoke that are most harmful to a smoker’s health, so nicotine replacement therapy can help people quit smoking.”

Scottish Health stresses that whoever wants to quit smoking needs to deal with two things: “your chemical addiction to nicotine, and the fact that smoking has become part of your daily routine.”

“I’m going to get nervous”

Despite how widespread this myth is, it has been proven that non-smokers usually have lower stress levels than smokers.

And the “Scottish Health Authority” explains that the cigarette stimulates the brain to release a chemical that improves the good feeling called “dopamine”, so smoking makes it seem that it helps to relax, but in fact, the physical pressure on the body is actually increasing.

The good news is that after three months of stopping smoking, the ability to control the release of dopamine returns to normal.

“The time is not right”

While it may be true, in general, that you shouldn’t try to quit during stressful times, the advice is, “Don’t use this as an excuse to never try.”

Experts advise setting a suitable date to take this step, such as the beginning of a holiday or the beginning of the week. “Find out what makes you want to smoke a cigarette, such as having a cup of tea or going to a bar, and choose a day when you can avoid these stimuli.”

They also advise that those who plan to quit smoking inform friends and family of the exact date, so that no one offers him a cigarette or offers what might motivate him to light one.

“Hand-rolled tobacco is healthier”

Some believe that smoking hand-rolled tobacco is less harmful than cigarettes, but in fact, it exposes smokers to 4,000 toxic chemicals, many of which are toxic and cause cancer.

The levels of nicotine and tar are higher in hand-rolled cigarettes than they are in most regular cigarettes, as many people who smoke this type do not use filters, so they inhale more tar and nicotine.

“My smoking only hurts me”

In fact, passive or second-hand smoking poses a real threat to public health, which is why smoking is banned in all enclosed public places in many countries.

According to the Scottish National Health Service, non-smokers exposed to other people’s smoke on a long-term basis have a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of lung cancer or stroke than others, and a 25 to 30 percent risk of heart disease. Second-hand smoke may be a cause of respiratory diseases and infections, infant death, middle ear diseases, and asthma attacks in children.

And children breathe faster than adults, which means they breathe in more of the harmful chemicals in second-hand smoke.