Tobacco and Health

Abstract

There are about 54 million smokers in the United States although overwhelming evidence shows that smoking is causatively related to lung cancer myocardial infarction and other diseases. Public awareness campaigns have reduced the number of smokers among adults 33% for men 15% women but adolescent smoking rates continue to rise. Effective educational programs must address the underlying causes of smoking and teach students to cope with the social and psychologic pressures that induce the habit. For adults the traditional approaches to quitting are hypnosis group and individual counseling and learning theory strategy. The long-term effects of these programs are not encouraging. Reinforcement over a period of time is needed. Less harmful cigarettes utilize tobacco flavoring agents the effects of which have yet to be tested. Research has not proven the risk effects of low tar cigarettes but higher educated consumers especially men have chosen to use them. Most patients who now have tobacco related diseases began by smoking nonfilter cigarettes. A long-term smoking program administered by a professional would cost about $80 per year.