| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/6/2008 2:44:47 PM | Public release date: 6-May-2008
Contact: Todd Datz
617-432-3952
JAMA and Archives Journals
Much of the increased risk of death from smoking reduced within several years after quitting.
Women who quit smoking significantly reduce their risk of death from coronary heart disease within 5 years and have about a 20 percent lower risk of death from smoking-related cancers within that time period, according to a study in the May 7 issue of JAMA.
“Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Globally, approximately 5 million premature deaths were attributable to smoking in 2000. The World Health Organization projects by 2030 that tobacco-attributable deaths will annually account for 3 million deaths in industrialized countries and 7 million in developing countries,” the authors write. They add that the rate of mortality risk reduction after quitting compared with continuing to smoke is uncertain.
Stacey A. Kenfield, Sc.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, and colleagues assessed the relationship between cigarette smoking and smoking cessation on total and cause-specific mortality in women by analyzing data from the Nurses’ Health Study, an observational study of 104,519 female participants, with follow-up from 1980 to 2004. A total of 12,483 deaths occurred in this group, 4,485 (35.9 percent) among never smokers, 3,602 (28.9 percent) among current smokers, and 4,396 (35.2 percent) among past smokers.
The researchers found a significant 13 percent reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality within the first 5 years of quitting smoking compared with continuing to smoke, and the excess risk decreased to the level of a never smoker 20 years after quitting, with some causes taking more or less time. “Significant trends were observed with increasing years since quitting for all major cause-specific outcomes. A more rapid decline in risk after quitting smoking compared with continuing to smoke was observed in the first 5 years for vascular diseases compared with other causes.”
“Much of the reduction in the excess risk for these causes of death were realized within the first 5 years for coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. Sixty-one percent of the full potential benefit of quitting in regard to coronary heart disease mortality and 42 percent of the full potential benefit of quitting in regard to cerebrovascular mortality was realized within the first 5 years of quitting smoking, when comparing hazard ratios for recent quitters of less than 5 years with long-term quitters of 20 years or greater. For death due to respiratory disease, an 18 percent reduction in risk of death was observed 5 to 10 years after quitting smoking, with the risk reaching that of a never smoker’s risk after 20 years.”
For lung cancer mortality, a significant 21 percent reduction in risk was observed within the first 5 years compared with continuing smokers, but the excess risk did not disappear for 30 years. Past smokers with 20 to less than 30 years of cessation had an 87 percent reduction in risk of lung cancer mortality compared with current smokers. When including the other smoking-related cancers, the excess risk approached a never smoker’s risk more than 20 years after quitting smoking.
Significant trends were observed for earlier age at initiation of smoking for total mortality, respiratory disease mortality, and all smoking-related cancer mortality. The data also suggested that smoking is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer mortality but not ovarian cancer mortality. The researchers also found that approximately 64 percent of deaths among current smokers and 28 percent of deaths among former smokers were attributable to cigarette smoking.
“Early age at initiation is associated with an increased mortality risk so implementing and maintaining school tobacco prevention programs, in addition to enforcing youth access laws, are key preventive strategies. Effectively communicating risks to smokers and helping them quit successfully should be an integral part of public health programs,” the authors conclude.
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(JAMA. 2008;299[17]:2037-2047. Available pre-embargo to the media at www.jamamedia.org)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
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The sooner a smoker stops, the better. duh
I read somewhere else that a single pack of cigarettes has effects that last more than 1 year.
Good luck, all y'all smokers!
I've never smoked, but very probably "There But For The Grace Of God Go I" | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/9/2008 2:51:29 AM | Haven't read all the replies but the only thing I've found that has worked for me is to be totally resolute about quitting. Setting a quit date is meaningless... if you're going to quit, quit, don't prolong it and give yourself time for second thoughts, just break the rest of the smokes in your pack and give it a go starting now.
I tried quitting several times before but this time really feels different (although it's still early in the process). This time I had a bit of a mental shift where I suddenly woke up and realized I don't want to do this anymore, don't know why I ever started in the first place, and it was costing me a hell of a lot of money to boot. If you're half-assed about it it'll never work for you, you'll go reaching for a smoke the first time you get the slightest bit stressed. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/9/2008 11:50:47 PM | | lol June 2nd is my sisters birthday | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/10/2008 3:31:35 AM |
I tried quitting several times before but this time really feels different (although it's still early in the process). This time I had a bit of a mental shift where I suddenly woke up and realized I don't want to do this anymore I have heard lots of times that this is the key so hopefully you['ve cracked it. If you struggle with trigger situations, I suggest you try hypnotherapy -- they say it only works if the person really wants to quit for themselves, not for the benefit of someone else or because they feel they should etc. Good luck with it. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/10/2008 1:05:44 PM | | lol...Happy Bday to your sis! My Bday is June 1st! | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/10/2008 3:00:35 PM |
I tried quitting several times before but this time really feels different (although it's still early in the process). This time I had a bit of a mental shift where I suddenly woke up and realized I don't want to do this anymore
That is how I quit 7 years ago. This June will make it 8 years!!! I just woke up and said I don't want to do this anymore, plus I was starting to have trouble breathing. That was a big plus to quitting. I will never smoke again. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, it threw me into a depression, but I got through it.
Once anyone quits the smell of cigs will disgust you so bad, you won't want to smoke again. You realize how bad people who smoke smell and YOU used to smell that way too, it's totally embarrassing.
Good luck!!!!  | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/12/2008 9:48:53 AM |
Get a prescription for Chantix from your doctor. This stuff is amazing! It blocks the receptors in the brain that nicotine targets so you don't get cravings. Its usually a 3-4 month program. You're supposed to keep smoking while taking it the first week then pick a quit date and quit. Depending on the type of smoker you are (heavy; light) you may want to smoke a little longer. I smoked for the first month but let me tell you by the end of that month I was down from 18-20 cigs a day to about 6. The change is so subtle you don't even notice that you're not craving a cig. I would go hours & hours without a cig and then it would hit me "wow, I haven't had one in 4 or 5 hours." No cravings means you're not eating everything that isn't nailed down, hence no major weight gain.
Now of course the insurance companies have our best interest at heart so the medication is not covered, lol. It runs anywhere between $110 to $120 per month, but think how much a month u spend on cigarettes, and this is only for 3 or 4 months. Anyway, I've been smoke-free for 4 months now The only side effect of the medication is it gives you some very bizaare dreams (this is the most common reported side effect) but nothing horrific, just really weird BUT WORTH IT!!
I agree 100%. I smoked for 19 years and was put on this medication by my Doctor. I told her I didn't think it would work. She told me it helped a guy who smoked 4 packs a day quit.
So I gave it a try. I've been a non-smoker for 8 months now. September 22nd will be my anniversary date. I also convinced my brother's gf to try it and she quit smoking. My brother works for a company that started a "Quit smoking" program where they paid for the prescription for up to a year. He has quit as well.
And the dreams are weird, but it's nothing to worry about. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/12/2008 10:16:28 AM | | do you have to stay on these drugs forever, or just until you quit smoking? | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/12/2008 10:44:42 AM |
do you have to stay on these drugs forever, or just until you quit smoking?
I was only on it for about 3 months. I figured I had quit for 2 and a half months straight and I'd feel pretty stupid going back so I stopped taking the medication. Haven't went back. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/13/2008 12:44:29 PM | Chantix is perfectly fine, but most people, including drs. don't regard the drug and it's side effect seriously enough.
I was on it for 6 weeks, and now, a year later, I am still coping with some of the side effects. I wish people and drs. would ask more questions before they take this drug. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/13/2008 2:52:10 PM | | what side effects are you experienci ng? I ask because I have consulted with my doc and before prescribing the drug he wants me to get blood work. I've spoke to a few different people who have said it worked nicely with no side effects and although we know everyone is different I;d like to hear from the others who in fact have had a negative experience as well...;m really not sure if I want to even take this drug now, I think I will do it cold turkey. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/13/2008 5:57:53 PM | Here is an informative article about Chantix:
http://whyquit.com/pr/082506.html
A writer who had an experience with Chantix wrote the following descriptive article:
My Brain on Chantix-
http://nymag.com/news/features/43892/
Like you say ciaobaby, everyone is different, and I realize some people are fine with this new drug, but given the risks, the expense, the misleading and false clinical trials and many of the drug's side effects; the absolute do-ability of an educated quit by going cold turkey is actually the most effective and long lasting way to quit and remain nicotine-free.
I quit 22 months ago, after 39 years of smoking, after seeing whyquit.com recommended somewhere here in POF. I visited the site that night and laid aside the smokes for good within hours. Learning about this addiction and making the decision to be free is sooooo liberating. Never will I be a slave to the death stick again.
...Chipits... | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/13/2008 7:44:41 PM | A rather interesting article and I thank you for sharing. I will admit I haven't really done my homework in regards to this drug which is very unlike me, but quite frankly had no idea about the type of psychological side effects this drug really does have. As previously stated I found it rather alarming that my doc did order blood work before prescribing this to me which made me leary to even try it in the first place. I do believe in mind over matter and feel if you want to do something bad enough you'll just do it. hood luck to all that have succeeded and thanks to those who've shared their stories, i greatly appreciate it. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/13/2008 9:08:03 PM | While I didn't experience the drastic psychological side effects (only weird dreams, and some depression), I did have and still have some rather unfortunate physical effects. The Chantix created a dry mouth situation for me. I had ulcers in my mouth for weeks, I still have a certain amount of problems with recessive gums, but the biggest thing is that because there was little saliva, an acidic condition was created and etched my teeth.
My occassional indigestion turned into acute GERD, and it required about 4 mos. on meds to clear that up. Even still, I can't eat raw fruits or veggies. Everything has to be cooked mushy.
I also developed IBS, and still have episodes.
Now that it's almost a year, things are getting much better, but it has been very costly, and my formerly beautiful smile now requires veneers.
The disturbing thing is that I have met other people who also had some rather serious physical side effects, but my dr. had no idea these things could happen. The dentist says he is seeing more and more people who have the same dental problem I do from the drug.
My situation has been reported to Pfizer and they did pay for some tests to see why I reacted the way I did. No feed back yet.
Most people can take the drug and nothing happens but that they lose their cravings for cigarettes. The reason I bring up the side effects is for people to be aware that if they are experiencing anything unusual, to contact their dr. immediately. | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/14/2008 9:56:33 AM | i quit smokin years ago and had to quit drinking for about 6 months......i kept having****ails and lighting up. after that time i was strong enuf to drink and not smoke. i used a lot of self induced mind control such as
anyone i saw smoking....i made a negative thought about ..ie: "she's a very pretty woman but looks like crap with that cig stuck inbetween her lips"
and the smell is so disgusting....trust me...u will notice EVERYONE that smokes within 10 ft of you!
i also would use straws as fake cigs if i got REALLY stressed and suck the air thru them until the craving passed...then i'd chew on em. dumdum lollipops help also and LOTS AND LOTS of exercise and water! good luck...u can do it...mind over matter  | |
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| Quitting Smoking
Posted: 5/15/2008 1:03:30 PM |
and the smell is so disgusting....trust me...u will notice EVERYONE that smokes within 10 ft of you!
OMG that is sooooo true!! I remember the first time I noticed the smell of someone who smokes (cause trust me, you can't smell how bad it really is when you are a smoker) I thought I was going to gag. Then I started thinking how many people I tortured by them having to smell me after I got done smoking a cigarette. I felt horrible and wanted to apologize publicly for putting them through that. I think that helped me to kick the habit even more.
As far as the comments about the side effects, yes there are a list of side effects to look out for but every one is different so you may not end up with those side effects. I only had the weird dreams. And speaking only for myself, I'd rather go ahead and try the medication to and see if it will fix the problem, then to not try it all. But that's just me. But I can completely understand why a person would shy away from any medication due to the side effects.
It's kind of like if I were a guy and was put on Viagra and then saw all of the commercials telling of the side effects, I don't think I'd continue taking it. I mean who would want to take the risk of having an erection for more then 36 hours and then having to go to the ER about it. Not me!!! | |
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