Cigarettes, and more recently e-cigarettes, have been a global health problem for many years. Both are harmful to the body and cause lung and cardiovascular diseases.
In Malaysia alone, it is estimated that smoking causes 20,000 deaths each year.
But quitting smoking is easier said than done. Most people continue to smoke because they are addicted to the nicotine found in cigarettes and e-cigarettes, which has proven to be just as addictive as cocaine and heroin, according to the University of San Francisco.
Izzat Ishaq, a former smoker, understood the struggle himself and decided to launch WooS, an aromatherapy inhaler that helps people quit smoking and vaping.
It may sound a little hard to believe, but hear his story.
It’s not about replacing one addiction with another.
Aromatherapy inhalers are exactly what they sound like: devices that allow you to inhale essential oils through your mouth instead of your nose. They are similar to e-cigarettes, but less harmful.
You may be thinking, “But doesn’t that defeat the purpose of quitting smoking?” We had the exact same concerns.
But Izzat explained that Woos’ essential oil inhaler is designed to offer a natural, alternative way to help people quit smoking or vaping: “The aim is to gradually reduce nicotine cravings and dependence, not to replace one addiction with another.”
It’s made using “100 percent pure essential oils” and contains no nicotine, “instead harnessing the aromatherapy effects of essential oils to address the psychological and sensory aspects of addiction,” he said.
So far, there doesn’t appear to be any scientific research claiming that aromatherapy inhalers are harmful to your health. However, this may be because aromatherapy inhalers are a relatively new concept.
A sustainable, long-lasting alternative
They developed the WooS Inhaler as a sustainable, long-lasting alternative to the disposable inhalers available in the market, and customers can choose between the Wood Inhaler (RM99) or the Steel Inhaler (RM109).
It is designed to be a one-time purchase item, and users only need to regularly replace the cotton wick that contains the essential oil.
Izzat explained that as customers progress through the quitting process, they should re-purchase wicks less frequently. On average, one wick lasts up to three days. Each pack of wicks contains five wicks (priced between RM25 and RM30) and comes in a range of flavours, and can be used for up to 15 days.
To encourage commitment, WooS offers a habit tracker as part of the 30-day challenge, which allows customers to monitor their progress.
In the couple’s experience, it usually takes WooS users about one to four months to completely stop smoking or vaping, though this also varies from person to person.
The difficulties he faced
Izzat candidly revealed that he himself used WooS to overcome his smoking addiction.
“For nearly 20 years, I led a double life as a smoker and vaper, working in construction and hiding it from my wife (and co-founder) Munira. The day she discovered my stash and confronted me, everything changed.”
As a doctor at the time, Munira had always held strong beliefs against the practice, so this discovery came as yet another wake-up call for Izzat to quit smoking.
He tried gradually reducing his smoking, trying nicotine gum and patches recommended by the National Heart Institute’s Smoking Cessation Clinic.
“But the intense stress of my job made me go back to smoking,” he confessed. It was only after he was hospitalized for other health problems that he realised something had to change. “My recovery was complicated and slow, exacerbated by my long-standing smoking habit.”
This experience, combined with Munira’s support, gave him the extra push he needed to find a solution.
Why do we have nasal inhalers but no oral inhalers?
After pondering how to overcome this addiction, an idea came to me.
“If inhalation, whether through the nose or mouth, ultimately reaches the lungs, why not develop an alternative that mimics smoking but is still beneficial?”
They took inspiration from the widely known Vicks inhaler, which is used to relieve symptoms of a runny or stuffy nose. Although there are aromatherapy inhalers on the market, they are primarily focused on inhalation through the nose.
He and his wife thought they could create something that could be inhaled orally, which prompted them to comb through research papers and academic journals.
“We found several research papers and journals highlighting that essential oils can effectively reduce nicotine cravings,” he said.
Thus, the idea for WooS was born.
This isn’t the company’s first foray into the aromatherapy world.
Before starting their journey with WooS, Izzat and Munira were already using essential oils, initially to improve their children’s sleep, but they noticed it also improved their family’s health.
So, they started sharing the benefits of essential oils with their close family and friends. This led them to launch their own essential oil business called “OilyPod” The brand focuses on providing pure and unique blends of essential oils and the couple still runs this business alongside WooS.
Despite having a background in aromatherapy, they spent two years of research and development refining the first WooS inhaler. “It was important to us to ensure that the final product not only met our high standards for efficacy and safety, but also provided a satisfying experience for the user,” Izzat explains.
Seeking approval from consumers and health care organizations
Naturally, people were pretty skeptical when WooS first launched, but Izzat said that about two months later, WooS sold out all of its initial 1,000 units within a few weeks.
Some customers report a significant reduction in their desire to smoke, while others feel the urge to smoke has disappeared completely. “Notably, some customers have developed an aversion to the smell of smoke after using WooS.”
As reviews and testimonials grew, WooS expanded into neighboring markets such as Singapore and Brunei.
The founders also revealed that they are seeking approval from the Ministry of Health (MOH) for WooS as a tool to help people quit smoking and vaping.
“However, in this particular situation, aromatherapy is not yet widely recognised by the Ministry of Health, so the process is taking longer than initially anticipated,” he said. “Our efforts to gain this approval are part of our dedicated efforts to ensure the highest standards of health safety for our customers.”
That being said, because the brand’s main goal is to help people quit smoking and vaping, Izzat acknowledged that WooS may eventually go out of business once it achieves that goal.
But they’re not too worried because if that day comes, they can still rely on OilyPod.
- Learn more about WooS here.
- Read more about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: WooS
