Smokers Still Unaware of Health Effects of Smoking, Says Survey

With so Much Public Education on the Dangers of Smoking, How Can This Be?

According to a Nov. 15 press release, Richard Day Research conducted a survey of 900 adults, both men and women, about smokers' knowledge in terms of nicotine in cigarettes and its relationship to serious health problems such as cancer and heart and lung diseases. The survey was
Smokers Still Unaware of Health Effects of Smoking, Says Survey
 done in the U.S. through an online panel, screening for adults 18 and older who were daily cigarette smokers. The average age of the respondents was 48. They started smoking, on average, at age 16, were currently smoking an average of a pack of cigarettes a day, and had tried to quit an average of three times. Just 16 percent of the respondents had never tried to quit.

In spite of efforts to educate, over the past several decades, on the dangers of smoking, the survey results were not only surprising, but also disappointing. The results indicated that, although many people who smoke are at least aware that it can lead to serious diseases such as cancer, many still underestimate their actual risk of developing cancer from smoking. In fact, 66 percent underestimate the chance of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers, and 40 percent wrongly believe that developing lung cancer depends more on genes than anything else. The survey also found that as many as 33 percent of smokers believe certain activities such as exercise and taking vitamins could reverse or protect them from most of the effects of smoking.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, such the gum, patches and lozenges, are designed to gradually wean smokers off nicotine. Unlike the nicotine in cigarettes, long-term use of NRTs is not known to have any serious harmful effects. Yet, the survey found that 65 percent of the respondents either believe or are unsure if nicotine in NRT products is more dangerous than the nicotine in cigarettes.

Sixty-six percent either believe or are unsure if NRTs cause cancer. And 92 percent either believe or didn't know if smoking while wearing the NRT patch can cause heart attacks.

The survey also found that 76 percent of those who had used NRT products in the past were not using the NRTs as the product label instructs.

 
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i like cigarette...... it makes me feel good.. makes me relax....but i want to get rid of it coz i know what it could do to my health... specially tomy baby now that i'm pregnant..its not yet too late for me to do that i guess... wish me luck..by the way i'm only 20....

Posted on 06/11/2008 at 5:06:20 AM

Great article.

Posted on 11/20/2007 at 3:11:00 PM

My whole family smokes. They should read this article. 5 Stars for your great article! Visit my page sometime if you want!

Posted on 11/18/2007 at 3:11:00 PM

It's worrying to think that many smokers are so unaware of the dangers of smoking. You'd think they would be more aware of what could happen to them if they continue their smoking habit. Perhaps it is a coping mechanism. If they think it will happen to others rather than to them, it will make it easier to continue. Who knows? I'm not a smoker. Sophie

Posted on 11/17/2007 at 7:11:00 PM

Very informative and educational. Excellent report.

Posted on 11/16/2007 at 11:11:00 PM

I got my mom to stop - it's been 9 months!! because I wouldn't go to Florida if she continued.

Posted on 11/16/2007 at 8:11:00 AM

Just glad I quit 29 years ago. I can't afford those prices. I think they know the danger but really do not understand how bad the damage can be. People are addicted and denial sets in. I have a friend with only 20% of her breathing power left that is on oxygen because she wouldn't quit until she just could not breath.

Posted on 11/16/2007 at 8:11:00 AM

the Tobacco industry just gets more powerful and people do not like to be told what to do in many cases....

Posted on 11/16/2007 at 7:11:00 AM

Many smokers who are aware of the dangers still cannot break the addiction. I have read that nicotine is even more addictive than heroin! I also agree with Kim's comments on the War On Drugs. I know a young man who told me he never even thought of abusing prescription drugs until he attended a Just Say No presentation at his school.

Posted on 11/16/2007 at 5:11:00 AM

This is not surprising. It seems that since we started our national anti-smoking campaign more people are smoking than ever before! I am amazed at the number of teenagers who smoke. The same applies to the "War on Drugs" campaign. Drug use has increased dramatically since the program was implemented. Maybe there is a pattern here? Great article!

Posted on 11/16/2007 at 3:11:00 AM

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