Why do people take up cigarettes in the first place?

Some people simply try smoking and then give it up. Others have deeper reasons for taking up cigarettes and therefore find it difficult or impossible to give them up.

Small children

Small children unintentionally become passive smokers when they are exposed to the blue haze of their parents. The ingredients of the cigarette settle in furniture, curtains, clothing and wallpaper, where they are slowly released and absorbed by the children.

Teenagers

Smoking is "in" and "cool". If you don't smoke, you don't belong. So the risk of exclusion is high. Even if the cigarette doesn't taste good, you get into the habit because of peer pressure. The supposedly threatening social consequences of quitting smoking make it more difficult.

Young people are also influenced by role models such as parents, relatives or Hollywood idols. And the advertising conjures up images of freedom, beauty and luxury in connection with fancy cigarettes. Fortunately, the Bundestag negotiated a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising back in 2018. This is because the images emblazoned on cigarette packets to date, with their clear smoking damage and deterrent slogans, appear to be failing to have the desired effect.

Adults

People who take up their first cigarette later in life usually do so out of stress or boredom. Stressed people want to distract themselves, and a leisurely cigarette break is just as helpful as a beer after work.

Consequences and diseases

Smoking can even lead to unusual problems that are not immediately associated with smoking. For example, smoking can even cause sudden hearing loss.

The vitamin deficiency often results in poor skin texture and a sallow appearance. The blood vessels and blood circulation also suffer. This can lead to a heart attack, stroke or cerebral infarction.

And the lungs, along with the heart, bear the brunt of smoking. Shortness of breath is the least of the problems that can occur. It often leads to emphysema, smoker's lung or smoker's cough (COPD) and, of course, lung cancer.

Various diseases that occur in the mouth or larynx and bronchial tubes are also unpleasant and often ignored. In addition, there are problems such as smoker's legs due to circulatory disorders, which can end in amputation. And last but not least, the genes (DNA) are damaged.

In order to avoid or at least limit the consequences, smokers like to use the now very popular e-models as an alternative, as these are generally considered to be less dangerous. They are sometimes even used as nicotine replacement therapy.

Options for quitting - medication, therapy, alternative methods

Given the dangers of smoking, fortunately more and more people are becoming non-smokers. But the road to success is rocky. Many methods, including dubious ones, are offered on the market. Generally speaking, there are around four groups of options:

- Medication (over-the-counter and prescription)
- Withdrawal therapies, also in combination with group sessions
- Withdrawal attempts with an iron will
- Alternative methods such as hypnosis or acupuncture

Anyone who is not sure which method is best suited to them and their individual smoking behavior can seek advice over the phone. As many people initially shy away from going to the doctor, uncomplicated help is often an advantage. This help is available, for example, from the telephone advice service of the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. But of course it is also not a mistake to go to your family doctor.

Medication

Many types of medication are available over the counter in pharmacies. These types of medication release small amounts of nicotine into the body and wean it off slowly. They also help with the known side effects such as nervousness or depressive moods.
These over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies include

- Nicotine patches
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine spray
- Nicotine inhaler
- Nicotine lozenges

When and how can they be used?

Nicotine gum and lozenges have the fastest effect. This is important for stress smokers who have resorted to cigarettes in tense situations. If they can reach for chewing gum or lozenges instead, they must work just as quickly. And they do so in around 30 minutes after taking them. It is important to chew the gum slowly so that the active ingredients can be absorbed well.

The patches are also easy to use, but work more slowly as they release the nicotine much more slowly and over a longer period of time. However, despite their simplicity, there are also situations in which these preparations should not be used. Unfortunately, these products cannot be used in cases of serious illness.

This is the case with

- Stroke
- heart attack
- Severe cardiovascular diseases
- Impaired liver or kidney function
- Stomach or intestinal ulcers

What prescription drugs are available?

Alternatives are prescription drugs, but these must be taken under medical supervision and sometimes have serious side effects.

These drugs include:

The active ingredient bupropion (which can cause serious interactions with other medications) and belongs to the class of medications for depression.

The active ingredient varenicline, which has an even stronger effect but has been found to have serious side effects such as a tendency to suicide.

Whether and when these drugs are used is decided by the doctor on a case-by-case basis.

Behavioral weaning programs

These therapies are subsidized by the health insurance company and take place within a group. This means that patients do not feel so alone. These groups have a very high chance of success, especially due to the support of the group members.

Over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies are also included in the programs. However, the costs of these are not covered by health insurance.

Your own withdrawal attempts

There are people who manage to quit smoking all by themselves. This is definitely possible with an iron will. A fixed date should be planned for the start, after which cigarettes will be a thing of the past. However, motivation and perseverance are prerequisites for it to really work. Nicotine patches or chewing gum can be used as support.

Stress smokers must take care to reduce their stress in order to avoid relapses. Or situations in which they would normally reach for a cigarette. Instead of smoking, alternative actions or "rituals" should be planned. Take a walk around the block or have a snack. The choice must be individual and tailored to the situation.
Those who no longer smoke have to contend with side effects. A bad mood, weight problems due to increased appetite or tiredness and frustration are just some of them. It is possible to counteract this with a change in diet and exercise.

Alternative methods - hypnosis and acupuncture

Hypnosis treatments are extremely effective and are also used by well-known therapists with great success for various illnesses and anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, hypnosis tends to be frowned upon and ridiculed due to a lack of meaningful studies. However, it is definitely worth giving it a try.

Acupuncture has been tried and tested in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Nevertheless, this method is often one of the alternatives that is viewed with skepticism or even openly ridiculed. Anyone who is interested in it or has had good experiences with other therapies will not be forgiven for giving it a try. At least there are none of the serious side effects to be expected as with prescription drugs.

Protective laws in Germany

There are various laws in Germany to reduce health risks. One of the most important regulations was passed at federal level. This law is called "Gesetz zur Einführung eines Rauchverbots in Einrichtungen des Bundes und öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln" (BNichtrSchG). It also applies to public buildings.
Individual passive smoking protection laws were subsequently also established as state laws in the various federal states. The legislation also protects employees by banning smoking in the office. Or visitors to a restaurant.

What successes are visible when quitting?

Quitting smoking brings about a number of improvements, some of which are noticeable very quickly. Others are only really noticeable after years. First, the sense of smell and taste will improve, then breathing. After around 3 months, lung capacity has already improved by a third. However, the risks of cardiovascular disease or lung cancer only decrease later. The new non-smoker is only on the safe side after around 15 years.