Quit smoking video launched

MANILA, Philippines - A multinational drug firm launched yesterday a video-making contest to increase awareness on adverse effects of smoking on blood pressure, as it joined the worldwide celebration of World Hypertension Day.

Novartis Healthcare Philippines launched its “iQuit” video message contest to urge people to stop smoking. The project is in partnership with the Philippine Society of Hypertension, Philippine Heart Association, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, and the Department of Health.

Novartis said many campaigns have been made to encourage people to quit smoking by highlighting the dangerous health risks associated with smoking, mandating smoking restriction areas, and printing health warnings on cigarette packs.

In the iQuit vIdeo message contest, Novartis aims to “bring the message closer to home” as it noted that friends, family and love relationships can be “strong motivators to help someone quit smoking.”

Yesterday’s WHD celebration carried the theme “Healthy Heart Beat - Healthy Blood Pressure.”

According to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, on the average, smoking can increase a person’s heart rate from 10 to 20 beats per minute, and the blood pressure reading by 5 to 10 mmHg as it constricts blood vessels.