2023-10-26 07:01:00
the essentials On the occasion of tobacco-free month, Claude Thanwerdas, tobacco specialist at Cahors hospital, discusses the challenges of this program, which is beneficial for quitting smoking.
Tobacco-free month returns to France from November 1 for an 8th edition. This campaign encourages smokers to quit. 28.5% of Occitans are smokers, i.e. around 1,200,000 people. In 2022, 428 Lotois signed up for tobacco-free month. Claude Thanwerdas, tobacco specialist, reminds us of the benefits of this program.
What actions are proposed in the Lot as part of tobacco-free month?
All professionals are accessible in the Lot such as general practitioners, tobacco specialists and nurses. Smokers won’t feel alone. On November 14 in the hall of the Cahors hospital, a stand will be held by the tobacco and addiction liaison unit (UTLA), open to all. The tobacco-free village of the month will be in Saint-Céré on November 15 and that’s a good thing. The goal is to get as close as possible to smokers. Professionals will be mobilized to offer tobacco workshops and consultations.
When you have trouble stopping, the key word is follow-up
Is one month without tobacco enough to quit smoking?
The month without tobacco was created because a smoker who manages to stop for a month is five times more likely to quit permanently. The process of quitting smoking can be long and complex, but in any case it is a first step with support. When you have trouble quitting, the key word is follow-up. We take stock with the smoker, on the importance of dependence and his motivation.
According to Santé Publique France, smokers are mainly people with less education, with a low income, knowing that the prices of cigarettes are more than €10. How do you explain this phenomenon?
It is a fact that the smoking population is higher for people with less education, with lower income and among unemployed people. On the one hand, there is the question of dependency. When you are addicted, no matter how much you stop, you have difficulty doing so and you feel alone. The properties of nicotine help manage emotions and stress. When you have a low income, it will be difficult to plan for the future and manage the present. It will therefore be more difficult to stop. These are the people we want to reach. With the tobacco-free month, we hope to touch them and accompany them.
Is vaping effective for quitting smoking?
Vaping is 95% less toxic than cigarettes but it is not a medicine. It has become an aid for professionals to quit smoking. We use it, but wisely, not as a first intention. If it is useful in the process, we will use it. We work hand in hand with vaping professionals to best advise smokers. Stopping smoking is a global thing. Medications such as nicotine replacements (patch and oral substitutes) and therapies must also be taken into account.
To register for the tobacco-free month, go to tabac-info-service.fr or contact 39 89. The cessation aid kit is available upon registration or at the pharmacy.
1698304534
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