Going Smoke Free November 14, 2007

Topics: Smoking, cancer_care, Mind and Body

On the annual celebration of the Great American Smoke-Out November 15, 2007 the Seton Family of Hospitals will launch it's smoke-free policy, prohibiting smoking inside or outside it's Central Texas facilities. Anyone who has ever tried to quit smoking knows it's not easy either begin or sustain a smoke-free lifestyle.

Smoking-related conditions such as cancer, heart disease and breathing disorders lead to hospitalization for thousands of patients each year. Most are advised to give up smoking.

In addition, researchers have known for decades that second hand smoke affects children more than others, causing middle ear problems, decreasing lung function, lower resistance to respiratory tract infections and increase the intensity of asthma. Just last month, researchers at Temple University found that teens exposed to second hand smoke did less well on exams that those who were not. The study supports a growing body of evidence that school age children exposed to second had smoke do less well academically than their peers.

The following are excerpts from patient education resources developed by Seton clinical staff and based on recommendations from the American Cancer Society.

Numbers to Know

• Half of all Americans who keep smoking will die because of the habit.
• Each year about 438,000 people die in the US from smoking-related causes (1,200 per day).
• Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals. Over 40 of them are linked to cancer.
• Smokers are 22 percent more likely than non-smokers to get sick. They are far more likely to miss work because of illness.

• Adult smokers lose about 13 years of life due to smoking.
• Smoking three cigars a day makes you two-to-three times more likely to die of lung cancer than a non-smoker.
• Smoking is linked to 82 percent of deaths from emphysema and chronic bronchitis, 21 percent of deaths from heart disease and 18 percent of deaths from strokes.

Impact on Others

• Smoke from your cigarette can make people around you sick. This 'second-hand' smoke causes many health problems.
• About 3,000 non-smokers die from lung cancer caused by second-hand smoke every year.
• More than 35,000 people die from heart disease caused by exposure to second-hand smoke.

Practical Tips

• If you are thinking about quitting smoking, make a chart to track your cigarette use. Record the time, number of cigarettes smoked, where you were, who you were with, what you were doing, how you felt before smoking and how you felt afterwards. Knowing more about your habit helps you prepare for a change.
• Consider nicotine replacement therapy. Over-the-counter nicotine patches, gum and lozenges help combat cravings. Prescription medication, nasal spray and inhalers are effective, so talk to your doctor.
• Schedule your success. Pick a day to quit, mark on your calendar and tell family and friends and ask for their support. Practice telling people you don't smoke in advance. If you plan to attend a class, sign up.
• Stock up on things to put in your mouth. Options are sugarless gum, carrot sticks or hard candy.
• If you plan to use nicotine replacements, pick up a supply.
• Banish all items related to smoking, including cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays and anything else that reminds you.
• Keep active and healthy. Walking, exercise and other activities make you feel better and take your mind off smoking. Drink lots of water and juices.
• Reduce or avoid alcohol.

What's in Cigarette Smoke?

Educational materials produced by Colorado State University show that cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including the following and their other uses:

• Naphthalene (Mothballs)
• Stearic Acid (Candle Wax)
• Nitrobenzene (Gasoline Additive)
• Nicotine (Addictive Drug)
• Toluene (Industrial Solvent)
• Nitrous Oxide Phenols (Disinfectant)
• Acetic Acid (Vinegar)
• Ammonia (Floor Cleaner)
• Arsenic (Poison)
• Butane (Lighter Fluid)
• Cadmium (Rechargeable Batteries)
• Carbon Monoxide (Car Exhaust Fumes)
• DDT/ Dieldrin (Insecticides)
• Ethanol (Alcohol)
• Formaldehyde (Preservative)
• Heramine (Barbecue Lighter)
• Hydrogen Cyanine (Gas Chamber Poison)
• Methane (Swamp Gas)
• Methanol (Rocket Fuel)
• Vinyl Chlorine
• Acetone (Nail Polish Remover)

In addition, smoke contains cancer causing agents and heavy metals:

Cancer Causing Agents

• Nitroamines
• Crysenes
• Cadmium
• Polonium 210
• P.A.H.s
• Dibenz Acidine
• B-Napthylamine
• Urethane
• N.Nitrosornicotine
• Toludine

Metals

• Titanium
• Lead
• Copper
• Zinc
• Magnesium
• Mercury
• Gold
• Nickel

For More Information

GoodHealth.com's online encyclopedia has much more information about quitting smoking, including several interactive tools to help assess your readiness to quit. The American Cancer Society sponsors the annual Great American Smokeout hoping that quitting for one day will encourage smokers to quit forever. ACS updates its site to include the latest in smoking cessation news and research.