August 29, 2020 - National Day to Combat Smoking

NATIONAL DAY TO FIGHT SMOKE

When in medical school, out of curiosity, I looked at what the 1964 edition of the pathology manual said about smoking. Something like: "There is evidence that smoking is related to bladder cancer and lung disease" - period.

Since then, knowledge has only increased. I remember watching animated movies - for children! - at the Baltimore cinema, in Porto Alegre, with the image behind a discreet cloud of smoke, and the smell of cigarettes bothering me in restaurants. At the time of prohibitions, it was common to hear smokers complaining and feeling persecuted. Today it is harder to complain. Whether they like it or not, these policies have partially raised the awareness of the population.

We are in a pandemic, social isolation, masks. But, when making necessary trips, pay attention: you will see people on the street, taking off their mask to smoke. Whether from the point of view of the exhibition this has a high or low impact is not known, but the symbolism shocks:

With all the knowledge we have about it, with all the possibilities of psychological treatment (motivational interview, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, relapse prevention) and pharmacological treatment (bupropion, varenicline, patch and other forms of replacement), including in the system itself public health, adult people continue to expose themselves and people who are dear to them, both by way of image and example and by passive smoking, to a substance that is lethal and that damages quality of life even without counting the outcomes finals!

There is no information that forms of smoking other than cigarettes - hookahs, electronic cigarettes, haystacks, etc. - are safer or assist in cessation. But the first advertisement is never this. The "business" of smoking is, has always been, and of course always will be, a "business".

Speaking as a psychiatrist but also as a smoker in abstinence, I know that cessation is difficult. But I know it is possible. And I know it's worth it.

Text by Psychiatrist Emmanuel Kanter of the CEFI Integration Team

When in medical school, out of curiosity, I looked at what the 1964 edition of the pathology manual said about smoking. Something like: “There is evidence that smoking is related to bladder cancer and lung diseases” - period.
Since then, knowledge has only increased. I remember watching animated movies - for children! - at the Baltimore cinema, in Porto Alegre, with the image behind a discreet cloud of smoke, and the smell of cigarettes bothering me in restaurants. At the time of prohibitions, it was common to hear smokers complaining and feeling persecuted. Today it is harder to complain. Whether or not these policies made the population partly aware.
We are in a pandemic, social isolation, masks. But, when making necessary trips, pay attention: you will see people on the street, taking off their mask to smoke. Whether from the point of view of the exhibition this has a high or low impact is not known, but the symbolism shocks:
With all the knowledge we have about it, with all possible treatment psychological (motivational interview, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, relapse prevention) and pharmacological (bupropion, varenicline, patch and other forms of replacement), including in the public health system itself, adult people continue to expose themselves and people who are expensive for them, both by means of image and example and by passive smoking, to a substance that is lethal and that damages quality of life even without counting the final outcomes!
There is no information other than smoking - hookah, electronic cigarette, haystack, etc. - are safer or assist in cessation. But the first advertisement is never this. The “business” of smoking is, has always been, and of course always will be, a “business”.
Speaking as a psychiatrist but also as a smoker in abstinence, I know it is cessation is difficult. But I know it is possible. And I know it's worth it. Psiq Emmanuel Kanter- CEFI Integration