May 31st is World No Tobacco Day.
This date was created to raise awareness among the population about the harms of smoking.
In Brazil there are 32 million smokers, which corresponds to 16% of the population. And there are estimates that 200 thousand people die each year in Brazil due to cigarettes.
Researchers point out that the Unified Health System (SUS) spending on cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases caused by smoking corresponds to 27.6% of all SUS costs related to these procedures, which means more than 330 million reais spent on one year due to smoking.
Smoking causes changes in the mouth and nose, which mask the real taste and odor of food. Due to these changes, digestion is impaired, reducing contraction and irritating the stomach, which can impair nutrient absorption.
One of the smokers' biggest fears is that when they stop smoking they will gain weight. The main reasons for this weight gain are:
- There is an improvement in taste and smell;
- Oral gratification – ex-smokers miss the feeling of having something to do with their mouth and hands. Eating or snacking is similar to the repetitive action of smoking;
- Use food in the same way as cigarettes when dealing with stress, escaping boredom, tension, passing time or as an aid to social integration.
To avoid weight gain, it is important to maintain a healthy diet, not snack all the time, drink plenty of water and practice physical activity.
SOURCE:
http://noticias.uol.com.br/ultnot/cienciaesaude/album/1105_semtabaco_album.jhtm?abrefoto=1
http://www.tabagismo.hu.usp.br/nutricao.htm