The Facts about Smoking

By: Jordan Perkins

    Cigarette smoking is an issue of particular importance for Kentuckians;
according to the Centers for Disease Control, Kentucky leads the U.S. in
rates of smoking. Nearly 30% of adult Kentuckians smoke. This statistic is
alarming for a number of reasons. For one, smoking is the leading
preventable cause of death, with one in five deaths nationwide being
smoking-related. Furthermore, smoking contributes to several forms of cancer ­most notably lung cancer. Male smokers are twenty-three times as likely as non-smokers to contract lung cancer; female smokers are thirteen times as likely as non-smokers.

    In addition, smoking significantly increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death for Americans. Smokers are two to four times as likely as nonsmokers to have heart disease, and they are twice as likely to have a stroke.
    Studies suggest that there are numerous long and short-term benefits to
smoking cessation. Some health benefits begin as early as a few hours after
the last cigarette. In addition to improving your own health, quitting can improve the health of your family, coworkers, and anyone else who may be affected by secondhand smoke. According to several Surgeon Generalıs
reports, secondhand smoke contains hundreds of carcinogenic (cancer causing)
chemicals. Particularly, in children, secondhand smoke contributes to
bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infections, and can increase the frequency of
asthma attacks. It is important to note that there is no level of secondhand
smoke that is considered safe. Just one cigarette can negatively affect the
health of those around you.
    Nearly 70% of smokers wish to quit. The question many smokers struggle with
is ³How do I quit?² It certainly is not easy. Only one in seven attempts to
stop smoking are ultimately successful. Thus, it is important to have a plan
if you wish to beat the odds.
    Smoking is both a physical and behavioral addiction. It is commonly known
that smoking is addictive largely due to the presence of the chemical
nicotine, which is found in tobacco. Most medicines and over-the-counter
treatments for smoking are used to fight nicotine addiction. However,
studies suggest that the act of smoking itself can become and addiction. As
such, it is often recommended to have behavioral treatment, such as
counseling or a support group, if you want to succeed in fighting the urge
to smoke.
    The most significant roadblock to successfully breaking the habit is
generally caused by withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal occurs when the bodyıs
craving for nicotine is not fed. Nicotine withdrawal can cause depression,
insomnia, crankiness, anxiety, trouble concentrating, feelings of hunger,
and weight gain. Withdrawal symptoms are stronger during the first week
after you quit smoking and generally disappear after a few weeks.
There are numerous pharmacological treatments available to reduce withdrawal
symptoms. Many of these are Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) treatments.
NRTs include nicotine gum, patches, and nasal spray. These help fighting the
urge to smoke by giving the body nicotine from a source other than
cigarettes. They can be used long-term to fight withdrawal symptoms and can
double the likelihood of quitting. Nicotine gum and patches are available
over-the-counter, although nasal spray must be prescribed by your doctor.
    Two prescription drugs have been approved by the FDA to help fight nicotine
cravings. An antidepressant known as bupropion (sold under the name Zyban)
has traditionally been prescribed as the major ³stop smoking²medication,
although its success has recently been eclipsed by a newer drug. Just last
year, Chantix was approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation tool. Chantix
is generally taken once per day for a three-month period, although treatment
can be longer or shorter based on the patientıs needs. Although it contains
no nicotine, Chantix is similar effect within the brain to smoking. It is
also believed to block neuroreceptors (sites within certain brain cells
which bind to particular chemicals) used by nicotine, decreasing the
pleasure and withdrawal relief caused by cigarette smoking.  As a result,
you will find smoking less and less pleasurable, making you more likely to
quit. Most available research suggests Chantix to be the most effective
product on the market for helping smokers to quit.
    The most important thing to remember when you try to stop smoking is not to
give up. Most attempts to quit fail, so it is important to continue trying.
Having the right tools can also greatly increase your chance of success.
Talk to your doctor or health provider about finding the support programs
and products that will work best for you. More information on Chantix can be
found at www.chantix.com, and information on smoking is available from the
Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/tobacco).

About Smoking:

Based on Kentucky Statistics: