About four million Malaysians, or 21.

5% of the adult population, are addicted to

smoking, with almost one out of two males being smokers, according to the
National Health and Morbidity Survey. The statistics also showed 30% of cancer
deaths and 90% of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in Malaysia were
linked to smoking. Quoting these figures, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
Sdn Bhd (GSK) vice-president and general manager (South Asia) Akhil Chandra
said yesterday that smoking had become a major cause of a number of health
problems. On top of being an expensive habit, it is hazardous to both smokers
and second-hand smokers, he told reporters. Smoking is one of the most
common forms of recreational drug use. However, since 2006, smoking among
middle school and high school students has dropped by 25.8 percent and 15.5
percent, respectively, according to a 2010 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey.
By smoking, you can cause health problems not only for yourself but also for
those around you. Smoking is also harmful to the unborn fetus. If a pregnant
woman smokes, her fetus is at an increased risk of miscarriage, early delivery
(prematurity), stillbirth, infant death, and low birth weight. So, it is best not to start
smoking at all, but if you already are, the benefits of quitting are immediate, says
consultant cardiologist Datuk Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim. Within 20 minutes of
quitting smoking, your blood pressure and heart rate will normalise. And in about
12 hours, the carbon monoxide and nicotine levels in your blood will reduce by
half. By 24 hours, the oxygen levels in your blood will normalise and your
immediate risk of heart attacks falls, he said. But to reduce your immediate risk
of heart attacks similar to that of non-smokers, it will take another 14 years. so,
stop smoking.