Smoking
ENGLISH / MALTESE
How does smoking increase my risk of heart disease?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world.
Approximately 1 in 5 heart disease-related deaths are linked to smoking.
The chemicals found in tobacco lead to atherosclerosis; the build-up of plaque in your blood vessels. If a blood vessel supplying your heart or brain is completely blocked, you can succumb to a heart attack or a stroke.
Smoking a packet of cigarettes a day doubles your risk of suffering from a heart attack.
Nicotine found in cigarettes and most e-cigarettes is a highly addictive substance that increases your heart rate and blood pressure.
Smoking reduces levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the ‘good’ cholesterol) and increases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol)
Apart from heart disease, how is smoking harmful? (maybe I remove this section)
Cigarettes contain over 7,000 chemicals; of which, 70 or more have the potential to cause cancer.
A smoker loses approximately 10 years of life compared to a non-smoker.
Every year in Malta, more than 460 people die from diseases caused by tobacco smoking.
Cigarettes increase your risk of lung cancer, lung infections, and may lead to a debilitating condition known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide and 9/10 of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking.
Smoking increases your risk of many other cancer types too. It also increases your risk of developing diabetes, weakens your immune system and decreases fertility, among others.
Tobacco also harms those around you through the effects of second-hand smoke.
Are E-cigarettes safe for me?
E-cigarettes are electronic type cigarettes where you inhale nicotine through a vapour.
Although e-cigarettes may be safer than regular cigarettes, they are not safe.
Long term health impacts of e-cigarettes are still to be determined.
They also have nicotine, which makes them addictive.
Although e-cigarettes may be safer than regular cigarettes, they are not safe.
What are the benefits if I quit smoking?
Within 20 minutes, your blood pressure and pulse rate decrease.
After 2-3 days your sense of smell and taste improve
Within 2 to 12 weeks, your lungs increase in their capacity to hold air, making breathing easier and providing you with more energy.
Within 5 to 10 years, your risk of suffering from lung cancer falls by half; risk of stroke and cancer of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and pancreas also decreases
Within 15 years, your risk of cardiovascular disease is almost that of non-smoker’s
“After a year, your risk of having a heart attack is half that of a smoker’s
”
How can I quit smoking?
Write down a list of reasons why you want to stop smoking.
Set a quit date and stick to it.
Learn to deal with cravings by delaying smoking by 3 minutes until the urge passes, drinking a glass of water or distracting yourself from the thought
Change your routine and avoid situations in which you would normally smoke.
Throw away your ashtrays and lighters, clean your house and car to get rid of the smell of tobacco.
Keep track of the money you are saving by quitting.
Get support from local services – You are twice as likely to quit if you seek help.
What local smoking cessation services are available to help me?
Individual support:
Free one-to-one sessions are offered every Wednesday at Floriana, Mosta and Paola Health Centres from 5pm to 7pm. This is also supported at Gozo General HospitalYou can apply for local support by filling in the form on this website: https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/health-promotion/Pages/Services/Quit-Smoking.aspx
Freephone for advice and to schedule an appointment: 8007 3333
Email: health.pro@gov.mt
Website: https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/environmental/tobaccofree/Pages/Tobaccofree/Tobacco-Cessation-Services.aspx
Family doctor:
You can also seek help from your family doctor who will be able to provide you with quitting aids such as nicotine replacement therapy
Take-Home Messages
Smoking increases your risk of heart disease significantly, apart from increasing the risk of numerous cancers and other complications
E-cigarettes are not as safe as people may think
It is never too late to stop smoking
Contact Malta’s smoking cessation services to help you stop smoking!
HELP AND SUPPORT
If you have any questions regarding our article feel free to contact us on info@maltaheartfoundation.org or our Facebook page.
This article was authored by Dr. Hannah Xuereb and edited by Dr. Neil Grech, in collaboration with the Malta Heart Foundation and Maltese Cardiac Society.