The signs of tobacco smoking behavior are varied and have an impact on lifestyle. An estimated 10% of the population may have smoke-related illness on a regular basis. There are various forms and manifestations of tobacco smoking behavior. Therefore, it is appropriate to create a more accurate picture of tobacco smoking behavior.
The associations between cigarette smoking and substance abuse were related to social status: those with lower self-efficacy for avoiding substance abuse were more likely to start smoking while they were abusing. Prevention programs focused on social class may hold greater promise as they reflect the social context in which individuals initiate substance abuse and then begin smoking. This finding is compatible with the current tobacco harm reduction strategy directed at reducing the risk of tobacco use through providing smokers access to a wide range of cessation-related help.
The majority of smokers (77%) reported that they would be willing to quit if given all the possible assistance on quitting. A few reported intention to quit but then reported no motivation (4%).
A single-session CBT was effective in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked by one-third during the month following treatment. However, the treatment group did not show a sustained change in smoking behavior 2 months after treatment.
The data indicate that the proportion of high-risk tobacco smokers in this sample can be described as having an 'acquired smoking propensity'. Such 'acquired' propensity is a feature that has been shown to be related to the severity of the problem, the degree of addiction and the level of motivation to smoke. Future researchers should therefore consider incorporating a measure or questionnaire of 'acquired' propensity into their research on tobacco use and risk.
The tobacco smoking rate in the United States has not declined in the past decade. Efforts are warranted to decrease tobacco smoking and this should also extend to pregnant women to avoid potential adverse effects on their children in the future.
At the time of writing this article, there was no new information to help treat smoking behavior and no new pharmaceuticals were available. The only thing physicians can offer to smokers who have a health concern related to smoking is to persuade them to stop.
Results from a recent paper of this study suggest that there are minimal benefits associated with the consumption of mentholed cigarettes. Menthol is an approved flavor in the United States, and may have a negligible effect on a substantial number of menthol smokers. Menthol smokers may be more likely to underestimate the adverse effects of such bans on cigarette consumption than non‑menthol smokers.
In the last 10 years it seemed as if the number of tobacco smoke-tipped cigarettes was constantly increasing. In some parts, such as the Netherlands, this has the result that a large proportion of current smokers could now be classified as 'old' smokers. This will have an influence on the health of the population.
The average age of initiation of tobacco smoking is at about the age that is typically seen among high-risk youth. This finding has important implications for the design of tobacco control efforts. It suggests that tobacco control efforts could be improved by targeting youth at high risk.
While it is clear that smokers may benefit from a clinical trial, many smokers do not consider clinical trials for smoking cessation an appropriate use of scarce clinical research dollars. This may explain why few trials address smoking cessation, and this needs attention by all clinical investigators and clinicians who see smokers.
The current results provide evidence and support a genetic basis for a major component of one of the major public health issues of our time. This reinforces the need for population-based studies of genetic factors that contribute to complex behaviors such as tobacco smoking and obesity that appear to be under strong genetic influence.