Tobacco Myths- Tobacco Myths- Up in SmokeUp in Smoke

(American Cancer Society)(American Cancer Society)

HS 460 HS 460

Estimates show that the average smoker Estimates show that the average smoker thinks seriously about quitting four times a thinks seriously about quitting four times a year. But some smokers worry that they’ll year. But some smokers worry that they’ll gain weight. Others fear the withdrawal gain weight. Others fear the withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine symptoms associated with nicotine addiction. And some think that for them addiction. And some think that for them it’s too late. it’s too late.

1. Myth: Smokers who quit gain a 1. Myth: Smokers who quit gain a lot of weight lot of weight

Truth: although many smokers do gain Truth: although many smokers do gain some weight when they quit, it’s usually some weight when they quit, it’s usually under 10 pounds. But weight gain isn’t under 10 pounds. But weight gain isn’t inevitable. If you exercise and watch your inevitable. If you exercise and watch your calories, you can control it. Tip: smokers calories, you can control it. Tip: smokers who use the drug Bupropion (Zyban) to who use the drug Bupropion (Zyban) to help quit generally don’t gain weight. help quit generally don’t gain weight.

2. Myth: nicotine addiction is 2. Myth: nicotine addiction is impossible to beat impossible to beat

Truth: it’s estimated that at least one-fifth Truth: it’s estimated that at least one-fifth of smokers who use nicotine replacement of smokers who use nicotine replacement therapy- such as patches, gum or nasal therapy- such as patches, gum or nasal spray- can stay smoke-free after the same spray- can stay smoke-free after the same period, and results are even better when period, and results are even better when Zyban and Nicotine replacement are Zyban and Nicotine replacement are combined. Adding behavioral counseling combined. Adding behavioral counseling appears to further improve the chances of appears to further improve the chances of overcoming addiction. overcoming addiction.

3. Myth: Simply quitting cold turkey 3. Myth: Simply quitting cold turkey doesn’t work doesn’t work

Truth: of the 17 million people who try to Truth: of the 17 million people who try to quit for at least one day during the Great quit for at least one day during the Great American Smokeout (Nov. 18), more than American Smokeout (Nov. 18), more than 4 million are still smoke-free three months 4 million are still smoke-free three months later. later.

4. Myth: For lifelong smokers, the 4. Myth: For lifelong smokers, the damage has been done. Quitting damage has been done. Quitting

won’t help.won’t help. Truth: it’s never too late to quit. When you Truth: it’s never too late to quit. When you

do, the body begins to recover within 20 do, the body begins to recover within 20 minutes. That’s when blood pressure minutes. That’s when blood pressure drops to normal. After eight hours, carbon drops to normal. After eight hours, carbon monoxide in the blood drops, too. Within monoxide in the blood drops, too. Within 24 hours, the chance of heart attack 24 hours, the chance of heart attack decreases… and after one year, excess decreases… and after one year, excess risk of heart attack is half that of a smoker. risk of heart attack is half that of a smoker.

5. Myth: Smoking isn’t dangerous if 5. Myth: Smoking isn’t dangerous if you don’t inhale. you don’t inhale.

Truth: smokers who don’t inhale, including Truth: smokers who don’t inhale, including pipe and cigar smokers, are still at risk for pipe and cigar smokers, are still at risk for lip, mouth, and tongue cancers. lip, mouth, and tongue cancers.

6.6. Myth: Smokeless tobacco and Myth: Smokeless tobacco and snuff are safe alternatives snuff are safe alternatives

to smoking. to smoking. Truth: Smokeless tobacco leads to Truth: Smokeless tobacco leads to

cancers of the mouth, gum, pharynx, cancers of the mouth, gum, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. Fact is, snuff larynx, and esophagus. Fact is, snuff dippers consume on average more than dippers consume on average more than 10 times the amount of cancer-causing 10 times the amount of cancer-causing substances cigarette smokers do. substances cigarette smokers do.

The Bottom Line The Bottom Line

Smoking shortens life expectancy by 10-Smoking shortens life expectancy by 10-12 years. Quitting now can add years to 12 years. Quitting now can add years to your life. If you don’t smoke: share these your life. If you don’t smoke: share these truths to help someone who’s trying to kick truths to help someone who’s trying to kick the habit. the habit.