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10 common myths about and quitting

TOBACCO CESSATION Combining more than one form of of form one than more Combining Research has shown that smoking

Using more than one form patch as NRTof (such is unsafe mouth + nicotine spray) stress relieve to Smoking helps

from NRT, smokersfrom NRT, generally cut down their intake or less intensely as they and shame smoking of and concerns by about the effects.Furthermore, nicotine is a and releases stress hormones such as adrenaline. need less nicotine from . 4. WRONG. NRT can be used safely help to quit. you Combining a nicotine the with patch nicotine lozenge,mouth gum spray, or inhalator causes no significant increase in side-effectsover just using the alone.patch The combination gives better relief of cravings and symptoms and increases the chance quitting of successfully, particularly for those who are very nicotine dependent. Combination therapy is now widely recommended tobacco by treatment specialists 5. WRONG. increases stress overall. levels Much the of apparent calming effectof a cigarette is simply due the relief to as symptoms of (such irritability, anxiety and restlessness) caused by nicotine withdrawal. Also, some the of relaxation from smoking is from taking a break and deep a few breaths, not the cigarette itself. Smoking increases stress causing by frequent withdrawal periods during the between day cigarettes. Further stress the is created guilt by

Smoking while using NRT is no more NRT (patch, gum, lozenge, inhalator, Nicotine is the substance addictive in

Smoking while usingNRT is dangerous Nicotine replacement therapy therapy replacement Nicotine (NRT) is as harmful as smoking ingredient in cigarettes in ingredient Nicotine is the major toxic is theNicotine major toxic

dangerous than smoking. Studies found have no significant side-effectsfrom using NRT while smoking. When receiving nicotine 3. WRONG. which are not found in nicotine products. replacement Nicotine from NRT is delivered much more slowly and at lower levels than from smoking. As a result, the risk becoming of addicted NRT to is very small. In case, any long term use NRT of carries very little risk and is much safer than continuing smoke. to of theof harm from smoking is from the tar and WRONG. much isalways safer thanmouth smoking. spray) NRT replaces some the of nicotine your body receives from smoking, but at a much lower level. Nicotine from NRT has side-effects. few Most 2. not cause attacks, cancer or damage. damage. lung or cancer heart attacks, cause not It is the other and toxins 7,000 chemicals in tobacco carbon and tar particularly harmful, most are which monoxide. There knownare cancer 70 causing agents in . WRONG. 1. cigarettes but is the other it substances cause that the most harm. Nicotine in dosages present in cigarettes does

smoking and quitting 10 common myths about10 myths common 10 common10 myths quitting smoking and about Research studies have shown that ex-smokers report attack falls by 50% after about 3 years. In the case of feeling less stressed than when they were smoking. , your risk drops to half in 10 years.

The benefits of quitting are greatest when you 6. Cutting down your cigarettes stop earlier. However, even quitting at 60 years of or smoking mild cigarettes age increases life expectancy by 3 years compared reduces the harm from smoking to those who continue to smoke.

WRONG. Cutting down your cigarette intake or changing to milder cigarettes does not improve your 10. Champix () can health and does not significantly reduce your risk of make you depressed or suicidal dying from a smoking-related . WRONG. There is no scientific evidence that The reason is that smokers subconsciously adjust Champix causes these symptoms. their smoking when they cut down or smoke weaker There have been reports that some patients using cigarettes (compensatory smoking). When you Champix became depressed, agitated, had changes smoke fewer or weaker cigarettes, you smoke each in their behaviour, suicidal thoughts or actually cigarette more intensely to extract more nicotine committed suicide. However, a careful review of and keep your nicotine level in the comfort zone. all the scientific evidence found no evidence that You take more puffs and deeper puffs from each Champix was the cause. Recently, there have been cigarette to compensate for the reduced number or several studies of Champix in smokers suffering from weaker cigarettes. and . The patients using Champix had no more side-effects of this type than 7. Smoking just a few cigarettes those using placebo. daily is fairly harmless Stopping smoking can cause the symptoms WRONG. The research shows the health risks mentioned above and this is probably the main cause from light smoking are substantial. of those reports, not Champix. Nevertheless, if you use Champix to help you quit, it is important to Smokers of only 1-4 cigarettes per day have 3 times report any changes in your mood or behaviour to the risk of dying from a heart attack and 3-5 times your doctor. the risk of dying from lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Overall their risk of from any Champix is the most powerful anti-smoking cause is increased by 57% compared to non-smokers. medication available and has helped many people to quit who otherwise could not. It is safe and well Other conditions proven to be increased in light tolerated. Side effects can occur with any smokers include gastrointestinal cancers but should be weighed up against the enormous (oesophagus, stomach, and pancreas), lower health risks from continuing to smoke. infections, cataracts, reduced fertility in men and women, , and reduced bone mineral density. For help with quitting smoking contact 8. Hypnotherapy or the Quitline 13 7848 (13 QUIT) or speak are effective quitting strategies with your health professional.

WRONG. There is no good evidence that Visit the websites: www.icanquit.com.au hypnotherapy or acupuncture are effective and www.quitnow.gov.au in helping smokers quit.

These treatments generally do no harm and some people will quit successfully due to the placebo Acknowledgement to Adjunct Associate Professor effect. However it would make more sense to use Renee Bittoun, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, other treatments that are proven to be effective. Adjunct Associate Professor Medical School, The longer you delay successful quitting with University of Notre Dame and Conjoint Associate 180729 www.health.nsw.gov.au SHPN (CPH) unproven strategies, the more damage is being Professor Colin Mendelsohn, Tobacco Treatment done to your body. Specialist, School of Public Health and Community Medicine UNSW – both members of The 9. It is too late to quit. The damage Australasian Professional Society on and is done other .

WRONG. The damage from smoking improves quickly after quitting at any age.

Many of the health effects of smoking reverse quite rapidly after quitting at any age. Quitting before the age of 50 reduces your risk of dying in the next 15 years by half. The risk of having a heart