“For those who do not intend to quit, it is necessary to consider alternatives that can reduce the harm caused by smoking. Therefore, if training and education of young people “right from school” on the risks is necessary, “for the hard core of inveterate smokers who do not stop even after “having had a cardiovascular event” such as a heart attack, “yes can also propose the alternative to combusted smoke” such as “heated tobacco, which has fewer combustion products and therefore fewer harmful products”. As Francesco Fedeleprofessor of cardiology and head of the Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation service at the San Raffaele Monte Compatri in Rome, comments to Adnkronos Salute on some data released by the Higher Institute of Health, on the eve of the World No Tobacco Dayscheduled for May 31st.
“We need to be realistic – observes Fedele – A good percentage of patients, despite talk counselling”, even if they have had a cardiovascular event, are unable, or do not want, to stop smoking. As doctors and cardiologists, with patients in rehabilitation we activate a whole process of adequate lifestyles – movement, diet, psychological support – but, after a period of rehabilitation, even if the patient stops for a certain time, 20-25% However he starts smoking again. It is a fact” that it occurs even after having “completely explained both the damage from nicotine and combustion”.
In cigarette smoking, we must distinguish “the damage caused by nicotine, from that of tobacco and smoking – specifies Fedele – Unfortunately, nicotine is the substance that causes addiction and negative effects on a cardiovascular level, but also on a cerebral level, where there are receptors nicotines that promote the release of dopamine, which creates addiction.” In addition to nicotine, tobacco contains carcinogenic substances and, when burned, releases other carcinogenic substances. Then there is the question of smoking, of combustion, which releases carbon monoxide which is harmful both on a cardiovascular level”, in particular for the “blood vessels, and on the respiratory system”. Added to this is the fact that “cigarette smoking also negatively affects oncological pathologies, almost all of them, not only at a respiratory level, but also on kidney and pancreatic cancer”, for example.
Data released by the ISS highlights that over the last 15 years the percentage of smokers has decreased, but too slowly. They were 30% in 2008, now they stand at 24%, “a sign that adults find it difficult to stop and that the policies are not effective – observes Fedele – Personally I believe that the prohibitionist policy implemented in the United Kingdom”, which prevents the purchase of cigarettes by those born after 2009, “does not lead to anything. We’ve seen it in America with alcohol. Rather, I think that young people should be educated at school level”. The new generations must be “informed” about the harm of smoking. For the hard core who, despite counseling, does not stop smoking”, the use of “non-combustion” products should be considered, which, by not burning, “has fewer harmful products”.
As happens in sport, “with the team I take to the field to win, but if I can’t win, instead of losing, a draw is better – clarifies the professor – also because we are starting to have data” on the usefulness of this approach. “Some countries, such as Greece, are opening up to considering these alternatives. It would be a step forward.” With a research institute “we are carrying out studies on populations particularly at risk, such as arterial patients, to evaluate, even in a relatively short time, the less harmful effects of some alternatives” to cigarette smoking. “The results – concludes Fedele – could be available in September”.
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