By Dr. Gaby Cora

In 2006, nearly 73 million Americans age 12 and older had used a tobacco product at least once in the month prior to being surveyed. Smoking is as addictive as heroin, as affirmed by the US Surgeon General. Addiction is a chronic condition and smoking includes one of the most difficult habits to kick.

Denial of the problem includes minimizing the harming effect of the addiction (“I’m healthy because I exercise daily,”) lying about quitting in the present (“I stopped, well, sort of”), or having high expectations about quitting in the future (“I will stop when I do this or that.”) Quitting smoking is not easy as withdrawal symptoms include discomfort including irritability, anger, anxiety, lack of sleep and depression.

Continued smoking increases the possibilities for high blood pressure, heart attacks, cancer, lung and gastrointestinal problems. Even when other healthy habits are in place, none if these compensate for smoking. No smoker should get a bill of good health as this person has a higher chance of having medical problems and dying younger than their non-smoker counterparts just because of this chronic habit.

Workers experience increasing workplace pressure to stop smoking. Life and health insurances look negatively at smoking and apply higher rates. Smokers have more healthcare expenses as compared to non-smokers. Some workplaces reward non-smokers and people wanting to stop smoking. In contrast, avid smokers cheat systems that test their smoking by taking “potions” and teas prior to being tested: they rationally want to stop but they don’t “want” to stop. The addiction craving is high. Decreasing teenage smoking has been a priority in US public health initiatives for years. It is well known that the younger people start smoking or using drugs, the higher the chance they will become addicted to tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. The longer people smoke, the higher the chances they will have medical problems associated with years or decades of smoking.

Successful smoking cessation treatments include a team approach, with a multidisciplinary team of addiction experts who can provide for education, counseling, and support; medications to control cravings, including nicotine gums and transdermal patches, as well as prescribed medications such as bupropion or varenicline; counseling on tobacco dependence, and specialized care for smokers who have relapsed or suffer from smoking-related problems.

As Mr. Obama said: the economic situation will get worse. His big job has not even started yet. Finding healthier ways to manage stress is a must.