For the protection of the non-smoker.

Innocent Victims

Conflict may be found anywhere where a smoker and a non-smoker share the same airspace, be it on the street, at work or in the family.  In an effort to show the damaging effects of smoking and the advantages of a smoking free life style, the World Health Organization (WHO) named May 31 World No Tobbaco Day.  This day is set aside for those who do not wish to become innocent victims of those living a self destructive life style.

We are all too familiar with this occurrence: a smoker is smoking a cigarette, breathes the smoke deep into the airways, blows the smoke out while, in the meantime, the waiting cigarette continues to emit smoke.  Researchers have studied the effect this process has on the non-smoker who shares a space with the smoker.  The non-smoker, of course, does not suffer the destructive effects of the aspirated smoke (the so-called principal smoke), but suffers all the more the damaging effects of the smoke blown out by the smoker and emitted by the waiting cigarette.  In an enclosed environment, the effects can be felt almost immediately causing headaches, watery eyes, irritated mucous membranes, cough and nausea.

The so-called passive smoke is as damaging to our health as the principal smoke.  More incidences of premature babies, allergies, laryngitis, bronchitis, prolonged cough, pneumonia and asthma are found in a smoker’s family.  Research has also shown that the risk of such diseases as cardiovascular disease, lung cancer or other cancers is just as high for the non-smoker living with a smoker as it is for the smoker.

Sobering statistics

More than a billion of the world’s population smoke and around five million die every year due to a cause somehow related to smoking.  In Hungary, the mortality rate resulting from smoking is 35,000 deaths per year with the ratio of lung cancer especially high.  The difference in smoking habits between the sexes is vanishing and the addiction reaches an ever younger segment of the population.  

Hundreds of dangerous chemicals enter the body when smoking a cigarette mostly true also of passive smoke.  A person living under one roof with a heavy smoker breathes in as much dangerous chemicals as if he, himself, had smoked an entire pack of cigarettes.

War is Declared

According to health statistics, in the European Union countries, 650,000 yearly deaths are the result of cigarette smoking and victims of passive smoke are estimated at 80,000.  The EU authorities had enough and declared war.  The 2003 WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control treaty governs the production, sale, distribution, advertisement, and taxation of tobacco.  It was unanimously accepted by all 192 member countries.  Similar limiting regulations against smoking at work, in eating establishments, on public transportation, etc. have been passed by evermore countries since then.  The same was enacted in Hungary in several steps. 

Even more effective than regulations is the shift in public opinion throughout Europe regarding cigarette smoking.  It is becoming “not cool”, something to apologize for, not proper in company, inconsiderate and irresponsible behavior towards family members.

Be a non-smoker!

If you will not do it for yourself, do it for those you love!  Giving up smoking is a big step not only for your own better health, but for that of your surroundings, family members and friends.  Think of the strength you will gain from being able to say that you did everything within your power to ensure that your child is born full term and healthy, that it will not be afflicted with asthma, allergies or bronchitis and that the incidence of vascular diseases and cancers will significantly decrease among your family members!

If you give up smoking at the age of 40 to 50, you will live 10 years longer.  The day after putting out your last cigarette, your blood pressure and blood oxygen level will begin to normalize and the risk of sudden death decrease the following day.  It will take several months but the lung capacity will increase gradually, the bronchial tubes cleare and the chronic cough decrease and cease altogether.  The risk of a heart attack will decrease by half after the first “clean” year while that of lung cancer after five years.  It will take about fifteen years for you to reach the same level of health and risk factor as that of a person of similar age who has never smoked. 

How can you quit?

Unfortunately, many a smoker will permanently quit only when diagnosed with a serious disorder, an event that we do not wish on anyone.  We should not wait for that moment.  It is far better to stop in time, following a conscious decision and proper preparation.  Consciously experience your lungs clearing, the way your physical and emotional productivity increase together with your lung capacity and oxygenation, that you sleep better and that you can be increasingly proud of the results.  It may be worthwhile to ask for professional help since you may be given useful advice and medication to help you with possible withdrawal symptoms.

Calculate and set aside the amount you would have spent on cigarettes and surprise yourself with something special with that sum!

Feel free to contact our specialists!

At the Buda Health Center, you have the opportunity to attend the private practices of more than 300 renowned specialists, offering expertise in nearly 45 medical specialisms, at five locations. Personalized care is provided by a well-trained and empathetic staff of professionals, who have been working together for a long time. Based on our 23 years of experience and the feedback received from our 450,000 clients, we are constantly working to organize our healthcare services in the most efficient way possible for those who visit us, paying respect to their needs and time.

Book an appointment on weekdays between 08:00 and 20:00 on +36 1 489-5200!