The problem of tobacco smoking
BMJ 2004; 328 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.328.7433.217 (Published 22 January 2004) Cite this as: BMJ 2004;328:217
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O : Offer holistic , evidence-based , habit-focused and non-
judgmental advice ; for at least 60 minutes (at a single stretch) , during
each initial client consultation. Try to avoid 'Generic Group Sessions'.
B : Beat off any unbearable 'Withdrawal Symptoms' with (clinically
proven) non-prescription products like Nicobrevin. (Very useful indeed for
those Healthcare Professionals who are not yet statutorily allowed to
'prescribe' medication).
I : Intensify all available internal and external 'Motivational
Resources' to (hopefully) reduce any future lapses (or relapses). This can
easily be done by using either phone ,text-messaging or webcam. Keep
trying.
Competing interests:
Dr Joseph Chikelue Obi MBBS MD MPH DSc FRIPH FACAM is also the Chairman of the General Wellness Assembly (GWA); an International Professional Body for Independent Wellness Consultants.He has recently just accepted an unpaid role as an 'NHS Champion' for the rights of Older People ;and also humbly invented the 'Omnipill'.
Competing interests: No competing interests
The problem of tobacco smoking cessation
Sir,
Richard Edwards states in his article (1), that promoting and
supporting smoking cessation should be an important health policy priority
in every country and for healthcare professionals in all clinical
settings. He added however, that this has not so far generally been
reflected at a policy level or in the practice of individual healthcare
professionals. We concur with his opinion. In contrast to other
addictions (alcohol, heroin, cocaine, ect.) smoking becomes a challenge
for the smoker only when she or he is unable to stop it in spite of
serious adverse health consequences.
As a consequence, the majority of
people participating in smoking cessation programs has multiple ailments
impeding the ultimate goal of stopping smoking. Having run several
smoking cessation programs over the past few years we encountered quite a
number of older, lonely patients with various serious health and/or
alcohol problems, mainly women. For these people smoking cessation
represented a cue to seek help not only for smoking but the multitude of
other health problems. When we recognised this trend we reduced the number
of participants in the smoking cessation groups because our clients needed
more intensive attention than we had anticipated. In our experience
smoking cessation has been effective only as part of a complex
multidisciplinary care system involving cardiologists, chest physicians,
addictologists and psychotherapists. As far as we can ascertain from the
relevant literature, such multidisciplinary approach is still a rarity
anywhere in the world.
Literature
(1) Edwards, R.: The problem of tobacco smoking. BMJ 2004;328:217-
219 (24 January),
Gerevich, József, MD, PhD, Katalin Meggyes
Addiction Research Institute, Budapest
gerevichj@axelero.hu
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests
Stage of tobacco epidemic in Japan
The problem of tobacco smoking
Dear Sir
I read your Clinical review with interest.
In Japan, smoking rates (in men) are still higher than in other developed
countries.
Recently, % of adult male smokers is on the decrease.
First figure was published in 1994.
This decade (1994-2004), tobacco control in Japan has been slow in progress, but
strict health regulations on cigarettes continue.
I think current stage of Japan is about Stage 3.1.
In Japan, still many problems remain: tax revenue, vending machines,
ETS for children, smoking in pregnancy, etc.
It is important that reseachers or medical staff issue a statement
about tobacco to all the world.
These articles support our work of tobacco control in Japan.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests