City dad seeks support for "No Smoking Month"

While this month is dubbed as "No Smoking Month," many continue to smoke even in the midst of a crowd that remains unaware that second hand smoke is more detrimental to one's health.

In a proposed resolution, Councilor Edgardo Labella is asking the city council to strongly support the observance of the "No Smoking Month" to vigorously wage the nationwide campaign to eradicate the health hazard in Cebu City.

Labella's resolution also calls for a support to further instill a deeper consciousness of the effects of smoking on Cebu City residents.

"Nearly 20 percent of ex-smokers are known to have occasional cravings for cigarettes even after many years of not smoking...undeniably, active or passive smoking poses a serious risk to the health of the people, young and old alike," Labella said.

The Department of Health stipulates three ways to stop smoking including scheduled reduction -the process of slowly reducing the number of cigarettes a day until the individual stops completely, Nicotine Replacement Therapy - the process of giving small amounts of nicotine to the smoker either as chewing gum, patch, nasal spray or cigarette such as an inhaler over a certain period of time, and totally quitting without outside help.

As have been told over and over again, nicotine, which increases the activity of a chemical in the brain that elicits pleasurable sensation, is an addictive substance. Studies show that 70 percent of smokers have long wanted to quit but have been unable to do so.