Nicotine is the addictive substance found in tobacco and is considered one of the most difficult drugs to quit using. Smoking, chewing tobacco and pipe smoking have all been associated with increased risk of cancer, yet those with addiction to nicotine often do not find this risk factor enough to motivate them to quit. Cognitive behavioral therapy is considered an excellent therapeutic choice when trying to change the lifestyle of someone addicted to nicotine.
The use of cigarettes among teens can lead to ongoing health problems. Early initiation of cigarette use exposes the body to carcinogens for a longer period of time when compared with those who begin smoking later in life, and thus increases the individual’s risk for health problems for a longer period of time.
Smokeless tobacco is a general term for tobacco products that enter the bloodstream without prior burning in cigarettes, pipes or cigars. Forms of this tobacco include chewing tobacco and a product called snuff. People who use smokeless products have lower risks for lung cancer than smokers; however, they have increased risks for a number of [...]
It may seem like a little thing, but it’s really a big deal. On June 24, 2011, the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) announced new expanded coverage options that states may offer for tobacco cessation services.
Exposing a fetus to substances such as drugs or alcohol can result in birth defects, early delivery, developmental delays, miscarriage, and even death. Sadly, the unborn child may have to suffer lifelong consequences as a result of poor choices on the part of the mother.
The saying that trouble loves company is backed up by a recent University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) study which looked into the habits of young adult smokers. Researchers at UCSF recently conducted an online survey, mostly through social media, aimed to learn how often young people who are addicted to cigarette smoking also [...]
It appears that at times, doctors’ desire to protect the feelings of the family of a deceased patient may be somewhat detrimental to general perceptions of the risks associated with smoking. In an effort to keep families from feeling the stigma of a smoking-related death, some physicians are not willing to state that as the [...]
The phrase, "It’s a hard habit to break" has been used in conversation and the news about smoking cigarettes. Bad habits can be anything from biting nails and knuckle-cracking to gambling and swearing. They are often seen as undesirable acts that people choose to do. But, according to the British Columbia Lung Association, "habit" is [...]
Tobacco use is the nation’s leading cause of death—resulting in more deaths than those attributed to HIV infection, motor vehicular accidents, alcohol and drug use, suicide, and homicide combined. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use causes an average of 443,000 deaths every year, even though these deaths are [...]
Comprehensive, well-funded anti-tobacco programs geared toward adults have also been found to reduce adolescent smoking, according to a new study. As policymakers face pressure to reduce spending on anti-smoking programs, this bonus effect should be kept in mind.
Teens start smoking to fit in, to experiment and to try to succumb to peer pressure – but recent research also says some may have genetic traits that make smoking as a teen more likely. These genes can also set them up for a stronger chance of becoming addicted. As the teen grows older, a [...]