At some point in our life we are asked, “Do you smoke cigarettes?” Tobacco use, or the possibility of it, has become embedded in our society to the extent that physicians must ask this vital question when assessing patient lifestyle and illness risk-factors. Cigarette smoking is harmful, but why is it such a hard habit to break? A possible explanation to understanding how to help people quit or prevent smoking may be found in the correlation between depression and smoking.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost half (43%) of the people over the age of 20 who suffer with depression are also smokers. Key findings from the CDC report include:
- Adults aged 20 and over with depression are more likely to be cigarette smokers than those without depression
- Women with depression have smoking rates similar to men with depression, while women without depression smoke less than men
- The percentage of adults who are smokers increases as depression severity increase
- Among adult smokers, those with depression smoke more heavily than those without depression and
- Adults with depression are less likely to quit smoking than those without depression.
Many studies have been conducted that support these findings and demonstrate a link between depression and smoking; yet, the correlation between smoking and depression is not completely understood. As Malcolm Gladwell states in his book The Tipping Point, “not only do some smokers find it hard to quit because they are addicted to nicotine, but also because without nicotine they run the risk of a debilitating psychiatric illness.”
The recent outdoor smoking ban in New York promises hope for smoking cessation. The ban on smoking at beaches, parks, and pedestrian areas leaves few areas for a person to smoke. A recent article from CNN reports that according to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the 2003 ban on indoor smoking led to 35,000 fewer smokers and extended the life expectancy of New Yorkers by an average of 19 years.
This ban, also, can have positive effects on an individual who is suffering from depression and is also a smoker. Just as banning smoking in public places leads to reductions in many diseases, it also leads to a reduction in individuals who are suffering from depression. A recent study found that the risk of depression was higher for individuals living where smoking was allowed anywhere as opposed to those living where there was a smoking ban.
Understanding what makes tobacco use appealing or addicting may improve tobacco cessation interventions. Some chronic smokers are aware of the negative effects of smoking, but are unable to quit because they are addicted. For smokers who are suffering from depression, these studies suggest that treating them for their depression could help break their habit.
The Tipping Point was an excellent story. I understand NYC is creating bans to lower the number of smokers thus depression. However is NYC creating enough programs or outlets to cater to the recent smokers who quit?
ReplyDeleteMost smoking companies are now required to write warnings on cigarette packages such as "smoking kills" but even this does not stop people from buying something they know will ultimately kill them. I do think it is great that the government is now enforcing laws against smoking in public, but I think to end smoking once and for all more extreme measures must be taken.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why most smokers are people who are depressed and vice versa is because the nicotine in cigarettes act as a depressant that calms the nerves down. Thats why smokers look all droopy and lazy like.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that government banned public smoking, which can result many detrimental second-hand smokings. Second-hand smoking has equal or even greater risk than the actual smoking. Since depression correlates with smoking, second-hand smoking might also be a factor of depression for those who are constantly being exposed to smoking yet don't actually smoke.
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