Do not smoke

Besides causing serious damages to general health, smoking also has adverse effects on oral health.

Consequences of smoking on oral health

• Smoking may cause bad breath
• Smoking easily stains your teeth.
• The chance of smokers developing Periodontal Disease at least five times greater than that of non-smokers.
• If a smoker who is already suffering from Periodontal Disease keeps on smoking, the nicotine in the cigarettes will jeopardize the healing potential of oral tissues and reduce the body resistant. This will worsen the condition of the Periodontal Disease.
• Smoking increases the chance of oral cancer.

Ways to refuse smoking

• Tell your friends that you don't like to smoke
• Refuse cigarettes offered by others. Learn to say "no"
• No matter where you are, insist on choosing "non-smoking areas"
• Turn your office into a "smoke-free work place"
• Encourage your family and friends to quit smoking. Refuse second-hand smoking
• Maintain a healthy life-style by having a balanced diet and exercising regularly to release stress

Ways to quit smoking

Discover motives

List out reasons for quitting as motives. For example, quitting smoking can:
• Save money
• Make you look smart
• Make boy/girl friend adore you even more

Make plans

Change habits that will trigger your urge to smoke. Make a plan that will help you quit smoking. At the initial stage of quitting, you may try chewing sugarless gums instead of smoking.

Persist to the end

You need to be determined and persistent that you will not to be affected by cigarettes again.

Seek help

Should you need help and assistance, please dial 2838 3266 for the 24-hour hotline of "The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health".