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Cigarette Smoking |
Cigarette smokers are seriously risking their health.
I believe that in our current health conscious climate, most cigarette
smokers are aware of this fact; however, I also believe that most smokers
are unaware of the extent of this risk, and of the many health problems
they might face as a result of their cigarette addiction. Certainly,
cigarette smoking is an addiction, every bit as much an addiction as cocaine
or heroine. The urge to smoke cigarettes is particularly strong,
causing otherwise rational people to spend countless dollars on what truly
is a dirty habit. Recent advances in the understanding of cigarette
addiction makes it possible to quit much easier in the past. We now
understand, for example, that most people try to stop smoking many times
before they are successful; therefore, people who fail several times should
not feel too discouraged. We have learned the pivotal role of the
physician in encouraging his patients to stop smoking cigarettes.
Without the advice and help of a health care professional, most people
don't stop smoking - the urge is just too great. We now have powerful
new drugs to help smokers stop smoking, including various forms of nicotine
and Zyban - an antidepressant that seems to work very well in smoking cessation
also. I am hopeful that more information about the dangers of cigarette
smoking will help all cigarette smokers face their addition head on - and
hopefully stop smoking altogether.
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