![]() |
|
June 25th, 2009
01:34 PM ET
Is an occasional cigarette that bad for you?As a regular feature of CNNhealth.com, our team of expert doctors answers readers' questions. Here's a question for Dr. Gupta. From Troy in Silver Spring, Maryland: “I heard President Obama recently admit that he still smokes cigarettes occasionally. I know he is trying to quit but I’m curious what the health ramifications are for someone who just smokes once in a while?” Answer: Great question, Troy. More than 46 million adults in America smoke cigarettes. But 70 percent say they would like to quit, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. There is no question that smoking is a hard habit to break. It's been suggested that nicotine could be as addictive as heroin. And like many Americans reading this right now, the president also struggles to break the habit. Obama admits that, “as a former smoker, I constantly struggle with it. …Have I fallen off the wagon? Yes." However, it’s a myth to believe that if you smoke only two cigarettes a week for example, or just on the weekends, that it won't affect your health. Even a few cigarettes can increase your blood pressure,and put you at a slightly increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Some studies show that young smokers who light up only occasionally have signs of artery disease. And though their risk of developing cancer is nowhere near that of a regular smoker, compared with a non-smoker, the risk is elevated. One group the new anti-tobacco bill targets are so-called "social smokers.’" The concern is that social smoking can turn into a full-time habit very quickly. Big tobacco companies spend millions of dollars researching and marketing to this demographic. What’s constitutes a social smoker? If you were to ask them, they’d tell you they don’t consider themselves smokers because they don’t do it every day. Studies show social smokers are younger, often smoke only with friends at social functions and typically don’t typically purchase their own cigarettes in packs. Because of this, tobacco companies often market to social smokers in bars and clubs. The FDA will now regulate tobacco industry marketing in an effort to reduce social smoking in America. Bottom line, Troy, is that no quantity of cigarettes is safe or healthy for our body. But for the millions of people struggling to quit right, don’t be discouraged if you slip up and smoke. Smoking one cigarette is much better than an entire pack. And by no means does it mean you’re a smoker again. Start fresh tomorrow. And check out www.smokefree.gov for great information on cessation and support programs. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
|
http://www.easterntradition.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=masteringthemanwithin.com
http://www.uzo.matrixplus.ru/out.php?link=https://ocrvmotorcoaches.com/
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been doing a little research on this. And he actually ordered me lunch because I found it for him... lol. So let me reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your web page.
http://portableinternet.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=menmastermind.com
Iím amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatís both equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is an issue that not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.
http://clickscan.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.sprintervanrepairnearme.com
This blog was... how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I've found something that helped me. Cheers!
http://galacticjourney.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.today
Good day! I could have sworn Iíve been to this website before but after going through a few of the articles I realized itís new to me. Nonetheless, Iím certainly delighted I stumbled upon it and Iíll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
http://qizegypt.gov.eg/home/language/en?url=https://commercialrepairshop.com/
http://www.fd-us.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=mastermindformen.com
This site certainly has all the information I needed about this subject and didnít know who to ask.
http://instrideauto.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvmotorsports.biz
http://hipmomshubb.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleettruckrepairshop.com
http://give-a-way.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=fleetvehiclerepairshop.com
You're so cool! I do not believe I've read anything like that before. So good to find someone with genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is something that's needed on the internet, someone with some originality!
https://fishers.spb.ru/blog/redirect.php?https://commercialvanrepairshop.com/
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/reauexit.cfm?link=http://backbonehunters.com
I blog often and I seriously thank you for your content. This great article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to take a note of your site and keep checking for new details about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed as well.
http://www.red-ring.com/rssnewsitem.php?urltodisplay=https://ocrvcenter.com
This page truly has all of the info I needed about this subject and didnít know who to ask.
http://stupidhurts.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=rvmarketingexperts.com
http://www.lancersi.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://displaygourmet.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorcoaches.com
http://baddoo.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://ashokastoria.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com
http://goldendome.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the greatest sites on the net. I am going to recommend this site!
http://dubaisportscityacademies.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvcenter.com
Good article! We are linking to this great content on our site. Keep up the great writing.
http://baidu.com/mo/q/checkurl?url=consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
http://denvertransit.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvcenter.com
You are so cool! I do not believe I've read through a single thing like that before. So good to find someone with some original thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!
http://strongrockholdings.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com
http://rd.or.tl/jp.php?url=https://ocrvcenter.com
http://archive.cym.org/conference/gotoads.asp?url=https://backbonehunters.com
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it won't fail me as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I really thought you would have something interesting to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.
http://industryinnovationsgroup.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.com
http://jeffreyfreedner.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=backbonehunters.com
Having read this I believed it was extremely informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
http://bardivers.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.backbonehunters.com/
https://www.cassinausa.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
http://fasterthan60seconds.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrvcenter.com/
http://www.martyhopp.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.co
You should be a part of a contest for one of the most useful sites on the net. I will highly recommend this site!
http://obabygear.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com/
Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our website. Keep up the good writing.
http://www.ravinianeighbors.org/Redirect.aspx?destination=https://backbonehunters.com
http://defensecareers.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com
http://denvertransit.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorsports.org/
http://comeusa.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.guru
http://www.liztonfinancialcorporation.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.vip
https://www.mydoterra.com/Application/index.cfm?EnrollerID=458046&Theme=DefaultTheme&ReturnURL=www.bestshopnearme.com&LNG=en_dot&iact=1
After exploring a few of the blog articles on your site, I seriously like your technique of blogging. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and let me know how you feel.
http://www.tutor4u.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=cleanuponlinereputation.com
http://www.cboefutures.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=postfallslocal.com
http://friuliveneziagiulia.info/link.asp?id=https://ppcpostfalls.com/
http://newyorkhealthdepartment.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=internetmarketingsupply.com
http://oxyfloor.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvshop.com
I needed to thank you for this excellent read!! I certainly loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked to check out new things you postÖ
https://www.sexy-photos.net/o.php?link=http://spokanevalleywebdesign.com/
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up plus the rest of the site is very good.
http://billytrabucco.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.hiddenapples.com
http://365publish.com/links/news/2756?url=https://spokanevalleymarketing.com/
Aw, this was an incredibly good post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I put things off a lot and never manage to get anything done.
http://www.crazyfamous.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestservicenearme.com
http://www.lisapresleysmemphis.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=marketingpostfalls.com
The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn't disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I actually believed you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something that you can fix if you weren't too busy seeking attention.
http://www.linuxadvocates.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=cdaseo.com
http://northwestbaristaschool.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.co