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Every cigarette takes 7 minutes off a smoker’s life. On average, smokers die 10 years younger than non-smokers.
Smoke at your own Risk
More than 2,500 Singaporeans die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Patients who have Chronic Medical Conditions such as Diabetes, Hypertension, Lipid Disorders, Stroke, Asthma and COPD, and who smoke, have a much greater risk of developing disease-related complications, greatly reducing their quality of life and causing pre-mature death.
Higher Risk of Diseases
Lung Cancer
- 90% of all lung cancer cases in Singaporean males occur among smokers.
- Smokers are 20 times more likely to develop lung cancer.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- COPD is the 7th highest cause of death in Singapore.
- This disease is mostly caused by smoking, which narrows the airways and destroys the air sacs in the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulty.
- Approximately 80% to 90% of COPD deaths are caused by smoking.
Heart Disease and Stroke
- Smoking causes fatty deposits to build up in the blood vessels.
- About 40% of deaths due to heart disease before the age of 65 are related to smoking.
- Smokers have more than 4 times the risk of getting stroke as compared with people who never smoked.
Cancers
Other Diseases
- Smokers have 40% higher risk of cataracts, which are caused by cigarette smoke irritation to the eyes or chemicals released into the lungs that get to the eyes through the bloodstream.
- Smokers are also more prone to tooth decay and gum disease due to excessive formation of plaque.
How Smoking Affects Chronic Medical Conditions
| Diabetes |
- Aggravates complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, foot disorders, retina disorders and neuropathy.
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| Hypertension |
- Increases the risk of stroke and heart disease.
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| Lipid Disorders |
- Leads to the increased level of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and lowered levels of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood.
- Promotes atherosclerosis, which can lead to stroke, heart attack or peripheral artery disease.
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| Stroke |
- Increases the risk of transient ischaemic attacks or another stroke.
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Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease (COPD) |
- Increases the risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD), a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.
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| Asthma |
- Increases the risk of an asthma attack.
- Could permanently damage the smoker’s airways, and block the benefit of any asthma medicines taken.
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Health Benefits
- Lower risks of smoking-related diseases.
- Improved stamina and endurance.
- Sperm quality and fertility level return to normal.
- Less coughing and respiratory illness.
Physical Benefits
- Fresher breath and whiter teeth.
- Better skin texture and elasticity.
Emotional Benefits
- Improved sense of well-being.
- Increased self-confidence and sense of control of life.
- Sense of accomplishment and pride in being able to stop smoking.
- Improved relationship with loved ones.
Social Benefits
- Better concentration and higher productivity at the workplace as you will not be distracted by the urge to smoke and the need to take smoke breaks.
- This also equates to more time for work, family and friends.
- You no longer face restrictions at public places with non-smoking policies such as restaurants.
- Wider circle of friends as 87% of Singaporeans are non-smokers!
Financial Benefits
- Savings from not having to buy cigarettes,
- e.g. A person who smokes 20 cigarettes a day can save $77 a week or $4,015 a year!
- You no longer have to pay higher insurance premiums that smokers are subjected to.
- You can save on medical costs of smoking-related illnesses.
For a helping hand, call:
QuitLine: 1800 438 2000, Health Promotion Board’s (HPB) |
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