The most unusual quit-smoking attempt ever? Man locks his own head in a metal cage to give up smoking
Smoking, in particular, is one of the hardest habits to quit, which comes due to the addictive nature of nicotine. Even with modern medicine, support groups, and nicotine replacement therapies, many people find themselves returning to cigarettes after trying to quit multiple times.
Mostly, there are stories of smokers trying to quit with a lot of struggle, failed attempts, and a desire for a healthier life. In some cases, the fight against addiction leads people to take unusual or even extreme steps.
One such story came from Turkey and became popular not just because of how it was done, but because it symbolised how far someone was willing to go for freedom from addiction.
An extraordinary attempt to quit smoking
Over a decade ago, a Turkish man named Ibrahim Yucel gained popularity worldwide after taking a bizarre route to quit smoking. According to reports by Doğan News Agency (DHA), a Turkish news agency, after 26 years of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day, and several failed attempts to quit, Yucel decided to build a metal cage shaped like a helmet and lock it onto his own head.
He gave the key to his wife, ensuring that he couldn't remove the cage during the day to smoke.
Though this idea seems strange, it was a deeply personal cry for change. Yucel had tried to quit smoking during special occasions like his children's birthdays and wedding anniversary, but his willpower would only last for a few days. The helmet-cage method went viral online. While many admired his dedication, other users questioned the effectiveness of such a major step.
However, it still remains unclear whether this method helped him quit permanently.
How many people are impacted by Tobacco consumption every year?
Yucel's story is just one among millions that highlight the harsh grip of smoking addiction. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 8 million people die each year due to tobacco use. Shockingly, 1.2 million of these deaths are caused by exposure to second-hand smoke. In India, tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1.35 million deaths each year. WHO also reports that nearly half of all children globally breathe in second-hand smoke regularly, leading to about 65,000 deaths in children annually.
Smoking during pregnancy is another concern, as it can cause lifelong health problems for babies, adding to the long list of harmful effects from tobacco
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