The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways – and it also presents a golden opportunity for smokers to kick the habit.

Since early last year, we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home, thanks – or no thanks – to COVID-19. Despite the frustrations of work-from-home stress and the inability to travel, many have found joy in simple moments with family members or picked up new hobbies and interests. Some are also taking the opportunity to get healthier, whether that means starting an exercise routine or kicking their tobacco habit.

Dr Ong Kian Chung, president of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Association Singapore, said that the pandemic is “an especially good time” to kick one’s smoking habit.

“First, smokers are more prone than non-smokers to developing lung infection, and COVID-19 can certainly cause that,” he said.

“Second, the evidence is indubitable that smokers with COVID-19 fare less well than non-smokers in terms of survival, complications and requirement of ICU care, as well as onset of complications. The worst prognosis is in patients with COVID-19 and underlying lung conditions that are related to smoking, for example, COPD.”

Dr Ong, a lung specialist and pulmonologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, added that with increased working from home, the need to keep loved ones safe from the ill effects of second- and third-hand smoke provides another compelling reason to quit.

Second- and third-hand smoke refers to the harmful products of cigarette combustion in the environment, which occur even without the smoker physically lighting up in the presence of others.

Said Dr Ong: “These by-products of cigarettes can cling on and remain in the environment – for example on clothes, furniture and vehicles – and in the air from smokers’ breath for hours and days, presenting long-term harm for the vulnerable, like the young and elderly. Simply ‘not smoking in front of the kids’ is not good enough.”

A CHANCE TO MAKE HEALTHIER CHANGES

The numerous disruptions caused by COVID-19 have also ironically made it easier for people with existing unhealthy habits to change their lifestyles. With fewer opportunities to participate in large social gatherings or visit entertainment venues, those who tend to smoke socially or while drinking may find it easier to quit.

The physical addiction of smoking, however, might pose an obstacle. Dr Ong pointed out that nicotine is a euphoriant – a pleasure-inducing chemical substance that plays tricks on the brain by stimulating its nicotinic receptors, causing a release of dopamine.

“It is this dopamine release that leads to one feeling relaxed and less anxious,” he explained. “Smokers crave this dopamine release frequently. It also explains the withdrawal symptom of dysphoria – an unpleasant sensation – and inability to concentrate when a regular smoker is deprived of cigarettes.”

“The good thing is that the smoker does not have to quit smoking by oneself,” said Dr Ong. “Communicate with supportive friends and relatives. Professional help and interaction with others who are quitting or have successfully quit may help – one can get this by calling the QuitLine and signing up with the Health Promotion Board’s I Quit programme.”

Quit aids like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be used to mitigate the effects of nicotine cravings. NRT has been shown to double the chances of a smoker quitting successfully.

Dr Ong said that NRT – which is available at pharmacies – is most suitable for smokers who have been assessed by healthcare professionals to be physiologically dependent on smoking. While some might be reluctant to use NRT to quit as they do not want to give in to their nicotine addiction, Dr Ong clarified that NRT plays an important role in successful smoking cessation.

He said: “In my experience, it is unlikely that the smoker can become addicted to NRT in the long term. NRT does not provide as much of a ‘kick’ as cigarettes for the smoker and even if the person is addicted to NRT, it will certainly be less harmful than being addicted to smoking.”

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day, which the World Health Organization is commemorating with a worldwide call to stop smoking. This year, the Kick-to-Quit movement in Singapore is inviting the families and friends of smokers to wear green to show support for their loved ones’ efforts to give up tobacco. Former smokers are also invited to share their experiences of quitting on social media using the hashtag, #KicktoQuit.

For current smokers who want to kick their habit, however, there’s no need to wait– because the best time to quit is now.

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day. Take the first step to quitting by speaking to a pharmacist at Guardian, Watsons or Unity to find out more about nicotine replacement therapy, which is available at pharmacies.