Growing numbers of Hessians are taking up smoking habits.
"Tobacco Dependence Surges in Hesse, Boosting COPD Prevalence"
In Hesse, the number of individuals heavily reliant on tobacco has increased significantly, according to the Commercial Health Insurance Company (KKH). From 2013 to 2023, tobacco dependency rose by approximately 29%, with around 445,000 excessive smokers receiving medical treatment for addiction, withdrawal symptoms, acute tobacco cravings, or psychological issues related to tobacco use in 2023.
Michael Falkenstein, an addiction expert at KKH, notes that these figures only represent a fraction of the total tobacco-related issues, as they only account for cases where a tobacco addiction has been medically diagnosed.
Smoking is a leading risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common worldwide cause of death. COPD is an inflammatory condition that narrows the bronchi over time, making it increasingly difficult for sufferers to breathe and causing permanent lung damage. In Hesse, COPD afflicted 23.4% of excessive smokers in 2023, up from 21% a decade earlier and higher than the national average of 19.5%. However, Falkenstein suggests that the actual number of COPD-affected tobacco consumers is likely much higher.
Quitting smoking is the only known method to prevent COPD's progression or reduce its risk. Falkenstein emphasizes the importance of complete abstinence from tobacco, not just a reduction. Cessation can yield immediate benefits, improving the lungs' health, reducing coughing and shortness of breath, lessening phlegm production, and decreasing the frequency of respiratory infections.
In addition to benefiting the lungs, quitting smoking also reduces the risk of heart disease. Within weeks of quitting, the cardiovascular system begins to recover, lowering the risk of a heart attack. It's essential to note that there is no safe way to use tobacco; one cigarette a day increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
According to research, quitting smoking offers various health benefits, significantly improving lung health and reducing the risk of heart disease. These benefits include reduced risk of COPD progression, improved lung function, decreased respiratory infections, and reduced cardiovascular risk. Ex-smokers also experience increased energy levels, improved senses of smell and taste, and a lower risk of various cancers.
- The growth in tobacco dependency in Hesse has resulted in a surge of individuals requiring medical treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition closely associated with tobacco use, as it narrows the bronchi over time.
- As addiction expert Michael Falkenstein points out, the increase in tobacco dependency not only impacts respiratory-conditions like COPD but also poses threats to overall health-and-wellness, including mental-health, nutritional status, and fitness-and-exercise.
- A worrisome implication is the link between tobacco dependency and chronic-diseases. Alongside COPD, heavy smoking exacerbates the risk for heart disease, a leading cause of death worldwide.
- To improve their quality of life, individuals struggling with tobacco addiction would greatly benefit from focusing on health-and-wellness approaches that include professional help for mental-health issues, proper nutritional guidance, engaging in fitness-and-exercise, and adopting a smoke-free lifestyle.
