‘Quit Line’ Number on all Tobacco Products from September

The Union Health Ministry has declared that tobacco products will carry political health warnings on both sides of the tobacco products with effect from September 1, 2018. They have also issued a ‘quitline’ number to be printed on these tobacco packets with the word “quit today call 1800-11-2356”. It is a toll-free number to help people quit the use of tobacco products.

It was made mandatory in September 2015 to display health warnings on the packets by the Union Health Ministry. It is also being considered the most cost-effective tool for awareness on health risks associated with smoking. 

Tobacco contains tons of chemicals, nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide which can have a drastic effect on lung function, and other vital organs. Let us look at the organs most affected by the use of tobacco products:

Lungs 

Nicotine, the chemical present in smoking contributes to the stiffening of the aorta, which could lead to the breathing problems. It could result in excessive coughing with mucus. The worst repercussion includes emphysema and lung cancer.  

Also read: Blame these conditions for those nodules on the lungs

Brain 

Regular smokers are at an increased risk of having a stroke, which can lead to brain damage and sudden death.  Smoking can lead to a brain aneurysm (a bulge in a blood vessel caused by a weakness in the blood vessel wall). This could lead to extensive brain damage and death. However, if you quit smoking and continue to do for two consecutive years, you could reduce the risk of having a stroke by 50 percent. 

Mouth 

The carbon dioxide and nicotine found in tobacco can cause a lot of damage to your mouth. Smoking can stain your teeth and give you bad breath. Tobacco users are also at a higher risk of throat, mouth and oesophagal cancer.

Skin

The use of tobacco products can negatively affect one’s appearance by changing the skin. Smoking can make your skin look wrinkled, aged and dry. It can also cause yellowing of the skin and a particular smell sticks to your fingers and mouth when you use tobacco products.

Heart 

The chemicals found in tobacco can increase your heart rate and constrict blood vessels throughout the body, thereby increasing the risk for heart disease or stroke. It can also trigger poor blood circulation.

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