Tag Archives: smoking

Talisay City to run for a smoke-free environment

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According to the Center for Disease Control, tobacco kills more than five million people a year — more than HIV, TB and malaria combined, and it will kill more unless urgent action is taken.

It is a fact that a lot of dreaded diseases like cancer, chronic lung disease, asthma, cardiovascular disease are caused by tobacco smoke. It is time for smokers to kick the habit and for non-smokers to help in the campaign against the killer vice.

Tobacco kills more than five million people a year -- more than HIV, TB and malaria combined, and will kill more unless urgent action is taken. (IMAGE*AFTER photo)

Tobacco kills more than five million people a year -- more than HIV, TB and malaria combined, and will kill more unless urgent action is taken. (IMAGE*AFTER photo)

The Talisay District Hospital, as one of the primary providers of health services in the community, aims not only to treat but to protect its clientele from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. The hospital has therefore embarked on the promotion of tobacco cessation in its institution and nearby communities.

To gain a city-wide awareness of this program, the Talisay District Hospital Committee on Tobacco Cessation, in cooperation with the Talisay City Runners Club, will launch on August 28 the “Run for a 100% Smoke-Free Environment.”

The run will be in 3k, 5k, 10k and 21k categories. It will start and end at the Talisay City Hall by way of the SRP. For more information and details about how you can join the run and/or help in the smoke-free campaign, please call 273-3225. (PR)

Make Easter your time for personal rebirth

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CEBU Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez has lung cancer, his children said in a press conference Tuesday. Last Tuesday’s confirmation came after weeks of talks that Sanchez, a heavy smoker, was stricken by cancer and undergoing treatment after suddenly disappearing from Capitol.

Although no one explicitly said it in Tuesday’s conference, smoking is the likely cause of the disease. Sanchez is a heavy smoker, one who lit up even during press conferences in his enclosed air conditioned office.

Ungo Runners Warming Up

BEST WAY TO QUIT SMOKING. The best way to quit smoking is to start running. Above, Ungo Runners perform warm-up drills prior to the start of the weekly Friday Night Run.

As a former smoker, the news brings sadness and residual fear. It has been two and a half years since I quit a decade-old cigarette habit. When I decided to quit, I was consuming more than a pack of Marlboro red a day and yet in my mind, I was telling myself I was just a pack-a-day smoker who could quit when I put my mind to it.

Quitting is tough, a process that can only be described as a psychological torture.

Like many smokers, I was chemically addicted to cigarettes and smoking became a psychological crutch for me. I couldn’t write nor edit stories without lighting up a stick.

I managed to quit the habit through the help of my wife, Marlen, my kids, family and friends.

And here’s a secret I’ve been sharing to those I manage to corner and lecture (I know I’m lecturing but bear with me)—running helps you quit smoking.

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So, how’s your New Year resolution?

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ARE you still running? Do you still walk regularly? Have you managed to stay away from cigarettes all this time?

Nineteen days after the new year, do you still keep your New Year’s resolution?

Behavioral scientists say it takes 21 days to start or break a habit. By that rule of thumb, this week will be your make-or-break week in making exercise part of your routine or stopping smoking.

If you are struggling to stop smoking, this should be hell week. Three weeks after your last stick on New Year’s Eve and the craving to light a cigarette will likely be at its strongest this week. I know. I’ve been there, twice. Do not give in. That’s how I failed in my first attempt to stop smoking.

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You want to quit smoking? Start running!

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IRENEO “Jung” Cases never planned to quit smoking. The Metrografix Inc. president had been smoking for 16 years and had tried and failed to kick the habit several times.

Then Cases started running on Aug. 1, 2009.

CIGARETTES AND COFFEE. For many a nicotine addict, nothing beats starting a day than reading a newspaper with cigarettes and coffee. Quitting smoking is among the hardest thing to do. For many people, running helps in dealing with the withdrawal symptoms. (CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO BY SHEESHOO)

CIGARETTES AND COFFEE. For many a nicotine addict, nothing beats starting a day than reading a newspaper with cigarettes and coffee. Quitting smoking is among the hardest thing to do. For many people, running helps in dealing with the withdrawal symptoms. (CREATIVE COMMONS PHOTO BY SHEESHOO)

He thought of stopping smoking to see if he could improve his time. “When I finished my first 5K, I kept on wanting to beat my time in the next race until I realized my urge to smoke had (disappeared) without me knowing it,” Cases said.

Cases’s business partner, on the other hand, took to running and yoga as a way to kick a habit that was killing him. Ivee Alfredo Cabahug IV, Metrografix Inc. general manager, had been smoking also for 16 years and the nicotine addiction made him sick almost every month.

Getting worse

“My asthma and allergies were getting worse. I was rushed to the emergency room because I couldn’t breathe. I thought I was having a heart attack. After the incident, I swore not to smoke again,” he said.

By the time Ivee decided to stop, he was smoking one-and-a-half packs of cigarettes a day. His wife, Jopie, on the other hand, was smoking a pack a day, 16 years after lighting up her first stick because of peer pressure.

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