In his increasingly frail condition, Mr. Q. admitted that the cigarettes he had smoked for so many years were now not only eroding his health but also serving as a profound warning to himself and those around him about the harmful effects of tobacco.
"I used to smoke a lot, and now I've had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for 5 years. I just want to share this with everyone, especially young people, that you shouldn't smoke anymore because it's very harmful and affects your health and quality of life."
"Only when you get sick do you realize your health is gradually deteriorating, and breathing becomes very difficult. I hope everyone will quit smoking or minimize it as much as possible to protect their health...", Mr. Q shared.
The severe health consequences of tobacco not only silently damage the lungs, but also affect the quality of life and push many people into a difficult battle with disease.
Patient Nguyen Van D., born in 1974, from the former Dan Ly commune, now Trieu Son commune, Thanh Hoa province, also had many years of smoking and now regrets it belatedly. He was diagnosed with stage 3B lung cancer by doctors at Hanoi Lung Hospital and is preparing to begin chemotherapy treatment.
He shared: "There was a period when I smoked heavily, especially during the years I worked night shifts, sometimes smoking up to two packs a day. The later I stayed up, the more I smoked. When I noticed a significant decline in my health, I was always tired and short of breath, and I was getting weaker and weaker, I went for a check-up and the doctors diagnosed me with stage 3B lung cancer..."
According to Dr. Phan Huu Kiem, a specialist in Oncology at the Department of Internal Medicine 4, Hanoi Lung Hospital, smoking leads to the accumulation of a significant amount of toxic chemicals in the respiratory tract, which over time can clog the lungs, causing respiratory problems and impaired lung function.
Patients undergoing treatment related to smoking include those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, lung cancer, and more. Worryingly, it's not just smokers who are affected; those living in smoky environments are also at high risk of developing these diseases.
Many female patients who do not smoke but have lived for many years in environments where people smoke eventually develop lung disease or lung cancer. Passive smoking is a significant risk that many people often overlook.
According to doctors, patients with lung cancer or chronic respiratory diseases related to smoking often have poorer treatment outcomes and prognoses compared to non-smokers.
"Based on clinical experience and numerous studies, patients with a history of smoking tend to respond less effectively to treatment, experience faster lung function decline, and have a higher risk of complications."
Therefore, quitting smoking at any time offers significant benefits to smokers. Stopping smoking improves respiratory function, increases treatment effectiveness, and reduces the risk of disease progression. The lungs will have a better chance of recovery," shared Dr. Phan Huu Kiem.
To proactively protect their health, everyone needs to take the initiative by saying no to tobacco, creating a smoke-free living environment, and reminding loved ones to quit smoking as soon as possible.
Schools need to strengthen life skills education , helping students recognize the harmful effects of e-cigarettes and avoid being lured into using them out of curiosity. Families also need to be the first line of defense, creating a healthy living environment for young children...
Quitting smoking not only protects yourself but also your family and those around you from the health risks caused by secondhand smoke. A smoke-free community will be the foundation for a healthier and safer future...
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/doi-song/hoi-tiec-vi-thoi-quen-kho-bo-241807.html
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