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Up in Smoke
Why and How to Give up the Habit
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
Dr. Shiffman states that there are many other facts that may "inspire" men to live a smoke-free life:
- A study suggests a link between smoking and hair loss.
- Cancer of the mouth and pharynx affects men two to three times as often as women.
- After age 35, men who smoke will die an average of seven years earlier than nonsmokers.
- For men under 65, smoking causes 23 percent of deaths from heart disease and 40 percent of deaths from stroke.
- Male smokers' sex lives may be going up in smoke! A study found that, on average, nonsmoking couples had sex 14 times a month compared with seven times a month for smokers.
- A strong link has been found between paternal smoking and childhood cancer.
Regardless of what you may have heard, read or listened to, there is no "right" way to quit. Each person is different, and according to the American Cancer Society, things that might help one person quit may seem silly and not work in the least for another. "Don't be afraid to try something that you didn't plan on trying in order to help you give up the habit," says Dr. Shiffman. "In fact, you may try more than one method or may use a combination of 'tricks' to find the exact method that works for you."
The nicotine transdermal system – the nicotine patch – offers an option to quit smoking by replacing the nicotine from a cigarette with a constant, measured dose through the skin. Available in different strengths and in a step-down method, the patch is another good option to help kick the habit. "The patch is easy to use," says Katherine Bruss, PsyD, managing editor of the American Cancer Society's publication, Kicking Butts: Smoking and Take Charge of Your Health
