Cigarette smoking is an addiction that can cause serious health problems. There are three main chemicals in cigarettes, tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide. Tar condenses into a sticky substance in the lungs., nicotine is the addictive component, and carbon monoxide decreases the amount of oxygen carried in the blood.

Any amount of cigarette smoking is harmful. The more one smokes, the greater their health risks.

Smoking causes many complications. Chronic breathing disorders, as well as cancers of the lung are the most commonly discussed. Smoking can also cause cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke. It can cause other cancers including mouth, voice box, and esophagus cancers. It has also been linked to bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer. In persons of reproductive age, there can be fertility problems (both with men and women), as well as pregnancy problems. It causes the skin to age, making wrinkles more prominent. There may be other effects we are just now learning about.

Its never too late to quit. Stopping smoking can reverse some health problems within 1 year. It may take 10 years to reduce other problems.

How to quit. Begin by analyzing your smoking habits to determine why you smoke. Decide to quit. Pick a day and quit. It sounds simple, but is definitely hard work.

What can help. Pick an alternative, such as gum or candy. Look into nicotine replacement. Temporarily change your daily activities that you associate with smoking. Spend time with nonsmokers (sit in nonsmoking sections in restaurants). Throw your cigarettes away. Ask your friends and family for support. Drink lots of water.

There are some myths about smoking cessation.

Weight gain is usually only 5 lbs on average over 5 years. Some people don’t have any problems with weight gain. The key is to replace smoking with another activity such as exercise. So if you smoke on your lunch break, pick a different activity such as walking instead. Also pick low calorie snacks to replace the oral stimulation from smoking.

Some people are concerned about stress. There is an antidepressant (bubropion, Zyban), that can be used in some to help reduce stress. Sometimes hypnosis or counseling helps.

Withdraw is another concern of some. Withdraw symptoms should subside in a week or so. There are nicotine replacement devises that are helpful. Some recommended devises include the following:

1) Nicotine gum (Nicorette)
2) Nicotine patches (Nicoderm, Nicotrol, Habitrol)
3) Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol)
4) Nicotine inhaler (Nicotrol)
5) Nicotine lozenge (Commit)

Fear of failure. Most people who successfully quit smoking have tried before. So, even if you have previously tried to quit smoking, try again.

Talk to your doctor about quitting. He may have other suggestions.