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Smoking Cessation Health Teaching Guide
Smoking Cessation Health Teaching Guide
After 20 minutes of health teaching, the patients will be able to discuss the facts on quitting smoking.
Introduction
The use of tobacco continues to be a major Ask the patients, “What diseases are known to be
cause of health problems worldwide. There is caused by smoking?”
currently an estimated 1.3 billion smokers in the Show the smoker’s body poster
world, with 4.9 million people dying because of Emphasize the facts that smoking causes death,
tobacco use in a year. If this trend continues, the disease, and disability
number of deaths will increase to 10 million by the
year 2020, 70% of which will be coming from
countries like the Philippines. (The Role of Health
Professionals in Tobacco Control, WHO, 2005)
1. Benefits of quitting smoking Ask patients what they think their benefits of
quitting would be.
Some reasons smokers give for quitting:
Reduced risk of heart attack, cancer, and
stroke
Feeling more in control of life
Better smelling hair, breath, clothes, house
More stamina when walking or exercising
Less coughing, colds, and flu
Coping
Most smokers smoke when they feel
worried, upset, sad, or mad.
3. Coping with withdrawal symptoms Emphasize the fact that these symptoms are
signs that the body is recovering from smoking.
There will be withdrawal symptoms after Refer to Figure 1. (List of withdrawal symptoms
quitting. Give examples such as lack of and tips to address these issues)
concentration, feeling tired, or being
restless.
The withdrawal symptoms may come and
go, get stronger or weaker, or remain the
same. Tell the smoker to be prepared for
these changes.
The withdrawal symptoms should last 2 to 4
weeks. Symptoms usually occur within 24
hours of stopping or reducing the number of
cigarettes smoked per day.
Deep breathing
Deep breathing advantages:
>Quick and can be done anywhere.
>Helps cravings pass.
>Promotes feelings of relaxation.
>Helps to relieve feelings of tension,
nervousness, anxiety, and impatience
>Increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the
brain, helping to improve memory, alertness,
thinking, problem-solving, and decision-
making skills.
Oral substitutes
Oral substitutes are ways to keep your mouth busy.
When you smoke a pack of cigarettes a day, you
put your hand to your mouth several hundred times
a day. Your mouth gets a lot of attention. When you
stop smoking, your mouth still craves that attention.
Using oral substitutes can help you to quit smoking.
When choosing oral substitutes, look for low or no-
calorie items. Substituting highcalorie, high-fat
items can lead to weight gain. (e.g. Lollipops,
Cinnamon sticks, Toothpicks, Fresh fruits, Hard
candy, Gum, Brushing teeth, mouthwash, breath
spray, Fresh vegetables)
Handling substitutes
Handling substitutes will give you something else to
do with your hands. (e.g. Rubber band, Paper clip,
Small ball, Pen, Doodling, Pencil, Ring, Coin, Straw
or coffee stirrer, Smooth stone, Wash hands,
Hobbies)
Busy work
Busy work: Keep your hands busy and focus on
tasks. This will help you to fight the urge to light up.
Once you stop smoking, you will have more time to
give to other activities and people. Extra time can
become a problem if you do not find something to
fill this time. Choose activities that will mean
something to you and add enjoyment to your life.
Exercise
Exercise increases chances of long-term success.
Exercise will:
>Help to prevent or slow any weight gain when
you quit smoking.
>Produce hormones to make you feel good.
>Help to reduce stress and relieve feelings of
tension, nervousness, anxiety, and anger.