The popularity of smoking was so great that the renowned physician of 16th century Nicolas Monardes of Seville wrote a book praising the virtues of the holy herb tobacco; He wrote in fact this herb is a general human need, not only for the sick but for the healthy. Later, not only physicians but writers’ poets and the intellectuals showered praises for this magical leaf. Lord Byron wrote Sublime Tobacco. Rudyard Kipling said. ‘A woman is only a woman, but a good cigar is a smoke’. Oscar Wilde remarked a cigarette is the perfect type of a perfect pleasure. It is exquisite, and it leaves one unsatisfied what more can you expect. At the same time there were others who abhorred this practice. There has always been a difference of opinion some saw it as a harmless pleasure and a cure for ailments and others considered this as a vice and a cause of harm and illness to the human being. The harmful effects of smoking were known quite early and the debate about the dangers of smoking was going on even in the early seventeenth century. The Ottoman sultan Murad 1v (1623-1640) was among the first king to ban smoking. In 1634 the patriarch of Moscow banned the sale of Tobacco and issued an order that those found smoking 27 would be severely punished. In England James the first Condemned Tobacco smoking as early as 1604. He published a book entitled a counter blast to tobacco. To discourage the smoking habits he increased the import duty on tobacco by 4000%, as a result consumption fell dramatically. But years later as the potential for revenue generated became clear he had to reduce the import duties under pressure for the additional revenue that import of tobacco could bring.
Today we talk about Nicotine Addiction, a book by Hasan Mazhari published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Hasan Mazhari to get to know him better and why he decided to put his personal experience in his book Nicotine Addiction. He also told us what he would like to hear from his smoking readers.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- When and why did you decide to put your personal experience in a book to publish?
I decided to publish my book on smoking cessation in July 2020 after my retirement from General Practice in the United Kingdom. I have written books of Urdu poetry and have published many articles in medical journals but this is my first venture for a medical book. Smoking is a leading causing of morbidity and mortality worldwide. I wanted to share my experience running a smoking cessation clinic for my patients for many years which has proven to have good audited results using techniques such as hypnosis and acupuncture. The smoking cessation rates were greater in my patients using hypnosis and acupuncture when compared more conventional techniques.
- What particularly significant experiences in your life find expression in your book?
Dealing with the effects of smoking has been a significant part of my medical career as a doctor and I have seen the devastating affects smoking can cause including chronic respiratory conditions and cancers. As a result of this, I set up and ran a successful smoking cessation clinic in which I primarily used hypnosis and acupuncture to treat smoking addiction. I met many interesting patients during my career and have highlighted testimonials and first-hand experience of patients who have benefitted from the clinic. One of my proudest achievements which I have mentioned in the book is the award given to me by Prince Charles and the discussion with him on addiction during a seminar to which I was invited. The book summarises a history of tobacco use and looks into the effects on the body, which I used to see on a daily basis as doctor working in an inner city area in Manchester.
- What would you like to hear from your smoking audience?
I would like this book to inspire people to look at all the ways that they can stop smoking. I have highlighted a number of different techniques used to help people stop smoking and compared their various success rates. I hope that the readers of this book will get inspiration and help with their journey in giving up smoking as it will have long lasting benefits on their health. By using some of the techniques outlined in the book, readers can help themselves in giving them a good chance to give up smoking. I look forward to hearing feedback from readers who have successfully managed to give up smoking after reading this book.
- How was your publishing experience?
The publishing experience with Europe Books has been excellent. As I said, this is my first book in English which has been published in Europe. The team were very good in communication and gave regular updates on the progress of the publishing process. They offered expert input into the book to help it read well and provided eye catching designs for the cover. The terms and conditions were all clear from the start and Europe Books have fulfilled all their commitments. They have provided a good marketing and online media campaign which will help bring the book to prominence in this field. Even after the book had been published, I have had regular communication with the publishing and marketing teams to maximise visibility of the book.
- Are you already working on a new book, you can tell us about?
I am considering writing another book but would like to take a break to enjoy this one before I focus my efforts on the new venture.
Europe Books thanks the author Hasan Mazhari once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book Nicotine Addiction. We wish him the best of luck for this novel and for his future works.
To you, my dear smoking reader, I wish that the techniques and all advices outlined in the book will give you a good chance to give up smoking.
To you, my dear non-smoking reader, I wish you to continue to be a non-smoker and that you can find this book interesting to the point that smokers around you can finally give up smoking too.
To you, my dear reader, I just have to wish you to enjoy this interesting reading!!!
Your editor!