Quitting tobacco is genuinely difficult — not because of weak will, but because nicotine addiction is a physiological dependency, not a habit you can simply decide to break.
A structured cessation programme combines the right medication at the right time, a clear understanding of your specific triggers and patterns, and support through the withdrawal phase.
The success rate with this approach is significantly higher than going cold turkey, which is what most people have already tried — and felt they failed at.
Absolutely, at any age and at any point. Your body starts repairing itself within hours of your last cigarette. Within weeks, your lung function improves. Within a year, your heart disease risk drops significantly. The damage isn't fully permanent — your body has a remarkable ability to heal once you stop adding to the damage.
Most successful quitters have tried multiple times before it finally sticks. Each attempt teaches you something about your triggers and patterns. A structured cessation program combines medication (if needed), behavioral strategies, and ongoing support — which dramatically improves success rates compared to going cold turkey on your own.
Some people do gain a few kilograms initially because nicotine suppresses appetite and slightly boosts metabolism. But this is manageable with dietary guidance and increased physical activity. And the health benefits of quitting far outweigh the risk of a small weight gain. We address this proactively in the cessation program.
Yes, nicotine replacement therapy is well-established and safe for most people. It works by giving your body a controlled, decreasing dose of nicotine without the hundreds of harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke. It significantly reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making the quitting process much more comfortable.
There's no safe level of smoking. Even light or social smoking increases your risk of heart disease, lung problems, and cancer — just at a slower rate. The other concern with social smoking is that it often creeps up during stressful periods. If you're able to stop now while the habit is still light, it's much easier than waiting.
Quitting smoking sometimes leads to a few kilograms of initial weight gain. This is manageable and addressed proactively — a weight management consultation can help plan for it. [See Weight Loss & Obesity Management →]
Tobacco use significantly raises cardiovascular and metabolic risk. A preventive health assessment after quitting is a sensible next step. [See Preventive Health & Lifestyle Disorders →]
Dr. Shalini Joshi, MD (USA) is a Senior Consultant in Internal Medicine at Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru.
Evening consultations are available at Akshaya Nagar, South Bangalore.
Video consultations are available for patients across India.
Corporate wellness talks available on request.
Specialising in diabetes, obesity, thyroid disorders, and preventive health.