Numerous methods are available for quitting smoking, including nicotine substitutes, e-cigarettes, and more. The “Mois sans tabac,” which started on November 1st, encourages smokers to abstain for 30 days. Journalist Marie Portolano, who recently turned 39, successfully quit smoking using a straightforward approach: she read Allen Carr’s book, “The Easy Way to Stop Smoking.” Carr discusses the behavioral addiction to tobacco and offers strategies for overcoming it. Psychiatrist Laurent Karila emphasizes the health risks of smoking, debunking myths about “safer” options like bio cigarettes and hookah.
Nicotine substitutes, e-cigarettes, mobile apps, as well as hypnosis and meditation… there are numerous methods and tips available to help individuals quit smoking. The “Mois Sans Tabac,” which kicked off on Friday, November 1, serves as another useful resource for those looking to stop tobacco use, encouraging smokers to take on the 30-day challenge of abstaining from cigarettes. Marie Portolano, who turns 39 on Saturday, November 2, found success without the campaign. Instead, the journalist adopted a “simple” approach. In a September 2021 article for Elle, she shared how she tackled her addiction to cigarettes. To quit smoking, Portolano turned to a book. Although she initially admitted to not being “very into personal development books,” she carefully read Allen Carr’s book (published by Pocket) titled The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. This reading experience proved beneficial for her, as she noted it really “worked.”
In this popular book, which gained immense acclaim since its release in the 1980s, Carr delves into the behavioral elements of tobacco addiction, such as the gestures associated with smoking, the sensation of smoke traveling through the airways, the manner of exhaling, and the social aspects of the behavior. He suggests replacing these actions with different ones to help quit smoking. He provides various strategies, starting with understanding the addiction mechanism, altering one’s mindset about smoking, setting a quit date, informing friends and family about the intent to quit, avoiding triggers, and being unafraid to seek help.
Mois Sans Tabac: This Practiced Thought to Be Less Dangerous Equals 20 to 30 Cigarettes
Smoking poses significant health risks. However, many misconceptions about tobacco use remain prevalent in society. Laurent Karila, a psychiatrist specializing in addiction issues, addressed some of these tobacco-related questions through his Instagram story. He emphasized that tobacco is indeed “a drug,” impacting “the brain’s reward system” and disrupting “brain circuits.” He also pointed out that smoking so-called organic or natural cigarettes is not inherently safer. Additionally, he clarified that using a hookah is not a less harmful practice. “The hookah consists of 25 to 30% tobacco, mixed with molasses, fruit flavors, preservatives, and texture agents,” he explained. He further noted, “The amount of tar and nicotine in hookah tobacco is as high as that in a cigarette.” Therefore, he highlighted, “Smoking a hookah is akin to smoking 20 to 30 cigarettes.”
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