Do you smoke?
If you just nodded ‘yes’, you are one of the 266.8 million people in India who consume tobacco in some form.
India has the second-highest level of tobacco consumption in the world, the first being China. A survey by National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) in 2019-21 showed that there’s a smoker in four out of every 10 Indian households.
Health issues
Smoking is a leading cause of preventable diseases and significantly contributes to mental and physical health issues.
Smoking has a complex relationship with mental health, often exacerbating conditions such as anxiety and depression. Many smokers use cigarettes as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or negative emotions. However, nicotine dependence can lead to a cycle of addiction, further worsening mental health symptoms.
Smoking is a major risk factor for various life-threatening diseases, as well, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, stroke, and respiratory infections. It also damages the immune system, making smokers more susceptible to infections.
The Freedom 500 Program
For individuals who have struggled with quitting smoking and faced repeated disappointments, the Freedom 500 program represents a ray of hope. Spanning four days, from August 12 to August 15, 2023, this intensive program is designed to empower participants to achieve complete independence from smoking for the rest of their lives.
Shubham Gune, the organizer of the program, was a smoker who has now quit the habit, and aims to help others to do so too. He is an advertising consultant and filmmaker by profession and spends his free time helping people become cigarette-free.
The four-day journey to independence
Day 1: Understanding Triggers (August 12)
The program kicks off with a deep dive into the science behind smoking addiction. Participants will gain insights into the triggers that lead them to smoke, applying scientific knowledge to comprehend the nature of addiction. The Trigger Mapping Exercise and Magic Smoking Exercise will aid in self-reflection and understanding smoking behaviors.
Day 2: Flipping False Beliefs (August 13)
Positive psychology will play a pivotal role in challenging false beliefs associated with smoking. Participants will explore their unique smoking history and engage in exercises like False Association vs. The Truth Exercise and an Advanced Smoking Exercise to challenge preconceived notions about smoking.
Day 3: Reprogramming Emotions (August 14)
Reprogramming the subconscious mind is essential to change one’s feelings about nicotine. Participants will decode the role of surroundings, media, and societal influence on their emotions related to smoking. The Emotional Exercise will help foster a healthier emotional relationship with smoking.
Day 4: Embracing Non-Smoker Behavior (August 15)
As the journey nears its end on Independence Day, participants will revise crucial concepts and understand the toolkit to overcome withdrawal symptoms. The program culminates in an Independence Day Ceremony, symbolizing participants’ liberation from smoking.
The Freedom 500 program provides a golden opportunity for individuals to reclaim their lives, celebrate Independence Day, and achieve lasting independence from smoking for a healthier, smoke-free future.
Sign up for the program here.
