Want To Quit Smoking. Want To Know About Electronic Cigarette. Addicted To Alcohol

Posted on Thu, 5 Apr 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 5 Apr 2012 Answered on

Fri, 6 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I want to enquire for my dad about his smoking habit

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (21 minutes later)

Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing in.
In order for me to help you better, it would be great if you elaborated a little on the exact question that you have.
Awaiting your reply.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli

Follow up: Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (45 minutes later)

My dad is a chain smoker.
But currently he wants to Quit smoking even before going for any treatment.
I want to know abt Electronic Cigarette come up in the market currently.
Will there be any side effects and shud he avail any precautions during his Intake.

Details:
Age : 65 yrs old.
20 Cigars per day.
Also addicted to Alcohol.

Answered by Dr. Ketan Vagholkar (4 hours later)

Hi,

A combination of cigarette with alcohol is a bit concerning in terms of your dad's health.

My experiences would suggest to go in for a professional deaddiction program which is supervised by a physician and a psychiatrist. This is based on proper base line assessment of the intent to smoke, circumstances to smoke and personalized treatment plan to get rid of these addictions.

Starting some remedy without medical consult would not be ideal. The process requires slow withdrawal of the intensity of addictions to avoid the XXXXXXX problems associated with withdrawal of smoking.

The most unarguable factors that help him quit include family support and self control.

Regarding the Electronic Cigarette, it is not a magic and not ideal to start quitting. No robust evidence in terms of results achieved when compared to placebo.

Hope this helps in taking a better decision.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar