Health Coaching - Smoking Cessation

Question 1

How big of a problem is smoking

Answer 1

Largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the world - more than 50% of long term smokers die pre-maturely due to smoking related diseases

Question 2

What’s in a cigarette

Answer 2

More than 4,000 chemicals including over 60 known carcinogens

Question 3

What are some of the consequences of smoking

Answer 3

Lung cancer
Strokes
Blindness
Heart disease

Question 4

Why do people keep smoking

Answer 4

Nicotine addiction is overruling reason

Boredom 
Stress
Social
Taste
Weight control
Habit

Question 5

What is the neurophysiology of nicotine addiction

Answer 5

Nicotine has the highest binding effect on the Alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic receptors which are the main mediators of nicotine addiction in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain. Inhaled nicotine reaches these in just 7-10 seconds, triggering the release of Dopamine. Regular smoking increases these receptors by 3/4 times therefore enhances the addictive effects. The increases in receptors are long term, therefore smoking is chronic relapsing organic brain disease - not a lifestyle choice.