Smoking Cessation:The Aromatherapy Way

Smoking is one of the major risk factors for cancer affecting the respiratory tract, oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, uterine cervix, kidney and bladder. Smoking tobacco is responsible for approximately 30% of cancer deaths world over. Nicotine dependence is now considered a disease by WHO (World health organization). The widespread use of tobacco in different forms leading to its addiction is among the biggest preventable cause of death today.

Smoking cessation can not only easily result in the decline of premature deaths but also improve the quality of life. Smoking cessation comprises an integral component of various national and international tobacco control policies. Tobacco quitting programs focussing on diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Nicotine dependence should form a major part of primary health care. Smoking cessation can reduce the chance of carcinomas, strokes,and several cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The habit of smoking is very difficult to quit and requires a very strong will power, motivation and assistance. Several method like Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), other pharmacological intervention, psychotherapy and counselling are employed to help the tobacco users to quit smoking. In recent years there is a lot of interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques, like essential oils and acupuncture as therapeutic alternatives for cessation of smoking. Essential oils and aromatherapy,play a very important role in smoking cessation and their role in smoking cessation should not be ignored even though very little information is available regarding their use. This review shall help in understanding the different essential oils available and their uses which can prove beneficial in smoking cessation.