Iranians squander $3.31 billion on tobacco and the treatment of smoking-related problems annually, according to Iran Anti -Tobacco Association (IATA).
Nasir Dehghanpour, association member said Iranians spend double the money they invest on tobacco to remedy the consequences of smoking.
He estimated that there are around 20 million smokers in the country, 8.5 to 10 millions of whom are nicotine addicts, IRNA reported.
Studies show that every six seconds one person dies and every cigarette cuts on average 8 minutes of a smoker's life. Also smoking compromises the immune system, making smokers more likely to have respiratory infections.
Smoking has recently been linked to type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes. Smokers are 30% to 40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers. Additionally, the more an individual smokes, the higher is the risk.
"There are those who smoke less than 5 cigarettes a day and then there are 'nicotine addicts' who smoke 8 to 10 cigarettes a day," said Dehghanpour, stressing that heavy smokers consume 2 to 4 packs of cigarettes daily.
Family Support
He said families play a huge role in helping smokers give up their obsession. "Rehab centers admit addicts at three levels based on the severity of addiction, but the support of family and friends is the real means of pushing addicts to renounce smoking," he said.
He counted anxiety, depression, aggressive behavior and sleep deprivation among the most common symptoms of quitting smoking, while suggesting that smokers and their families need to be aware of the after effects.
"Acid-forming food including red meat, fast food, caffeinated drinks, alcohol and food containing saturated fat increase the risk of ex-smokers getting back into their old habits," he warned, and recommended the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, broccoli, cereals, oat, ginger, garlic and cinnamon.
Drinking plenty of water and exercising 20 to 30 minutes daily can help ex-smokers adapt to a new lifestyle quickly. Research shows that aroma and music therapies can also be effective for smokers on their road to recovery, he added.
