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Smoking is responsible for more deaths than car accidents, terrorist attacks, and infectious diseases combined. In Israel, approximately 10,000 people die annually from smoking-related causes, including 1,500 passive smokers.
Cigarette smoking is not just a harmful habit; it causes severe health damage. With every puff of cigarette smoke, the body is exposed to around 4,000 chemicals, 350 of which are known toxins.
Prolonged exposure to these substances significantly increases the risk of life-threatening diseases, such as lung cancer, throat cancer, oral cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and cervical cancer. Smokers are also more than twice as likely as non-smokers to develop coronary heart disease, vascular diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and sudden death.
The mortality rates from cancers of the upper respiratory tract, lips, tongue, and mouth are over 10 times higher among smokers compared to non-smokers. Smokers are also at a higher risk of impotence (erectile dysfunction). Moreover, the longer one smokes and the more cigarettes consumed, the greater the risk of serious diseases.
The dangers are not limited to smokers themselves. Passive smoking poses a severe threat to those exposed. For example, non-smoking women living with male smokers have a 25% higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to those living with non-smoking partners.
Nicotine addiction is comparable to addiction to other drugs. Nicotine affects the brain, providing a momentary sense of relaxation but creating a strong physical and psychological dependency. This makes quitting challenging, as withdrawal from nicotine often leads to physical symptoms (such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, and intense cravings) and emotional symptoms (like emptiness or dissatisfaction).
Many smokers turn to cigarettes to cope with daily stress, fit in socially, or out of habit. However, overcoming nicotine addiction is entirely possible with the right tools, such as nicotine replacements, psychological or group support, and lifestyle changes. Professional treatment and structured approaches can make the quitting process both effective and successful.
There are two main approaches to quitting smoking: independently or with external support. In both cases, the process often begins without a strong desire to quit but evolves into a successful cessation.
Those who quit smoking on their own undergo a prolonged process. They often try to reduce cigarette consumption, occasionally manage to quit for short periods, and gradually develop the realization that smoking is harmful and quitting is achievable. Often, the genuine desire to quit is accompanied by a sense of disgust toward smoking.
Many individuals seek group support to quit smoking, often due to health concerns or family pressure. Group treatment focuses on changing beliefs and emotions surrounding cigarettes, combined with dynamic support and practical tools to adjust one's lifestyle. Group sessions may also include the use of medications like Champix, which helps counteract the physiological effects of nicotine. Participants experience the necessary changes to quit smoking together, emphasizing group dynamics and behavioral techniques to facilitate the process.
The decision to quit smoking usually stems from a personal process. Motivation depends on the smoker’s determination and the importance they attach to quitting.
Understanding your smoking habits (where, when, and why you smoke) helps identify triggers and plan strategies to manage them.
Sharing your journey with others and receiving support can make a significant difference. Professional support groups and workshops are also available.
Nicotine replacements or medications (such as Champix) can ease the quitting process, under medical supervision.
Leumit offers a variety of free smoking cessation services tailored to diverse needs, providing practical tools to overcome nicotine addiction:
These workshops focus on breaking nicotine dependency, replacing old habits with healthier alternatives, and building strategies to resist temptation for a smoke-free lifestyle.
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