AboutMichael Dean Expertise Can answer
General information on tobacco addiction, and resources for quitting.
Information on current cancer research and the health effects of tobacco.
The risk of smoking for lung cancer and other cancers, as well as SIDS, heart disease, and vision loss.
The best place to start is 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Cannot answer
Specific medical questions
Experience Cancer Researcher for over 20 years
Author of the book "Empty Cribs-The impact of smoking on child health" www.artsciencepub.com.
Author of over 200 scientific articles on cancer, genetics and human disease.
Multiple interviews in print, TV and radio media.
Organizations American Association for Cancer Research
American Association of Human Genetics
Publications Scientific journals (Science, Nature, NE Journal Medicine, etc.)
Scientific American, Discovery Medicine, Nature Reviews in Cancer
Education/Credentials PhD. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine
Awards and Honors Young Investigator award-American Association of Cancer Research
Expert: Michael Dean Date: 5/29/2008 Subject: the effects of very occasional smoking
Question QUESTION: Dear Dr. Dean, I am the father of a young man about to turn 20 years old. I've raised him less with prohibitions than with notions of practicing moderation and making wise choices. He is well-disciplined, and quite self-aware. In general, I feel confident about his choices. I am writing you to ask about one of these choices, having to do with tobacco, which I don't feel I know enough about to judge: he likes to smoke two or three cigarettes a week. He likes the effect of the nicotine on his mental state, and he limits himself to that amount. He knows about the dangers of addiction with nicotine, and he knows the damage to health that cigarettes can do. What neither of us knows is whether two or three cigarettes a week constitute any threat to health worth being concerned about. That's my question to you: if you assume that he will continue to exercise such discipline regarding amount and frequency, would you worry about such use as I describe? He shows no signs of any problems in his respiratory system, but as a youngster he did have episodes of asthma, generally triggered by colds or other upper respiratory infections. Thank you for your counsel.
ANSWER: Dear Andrew,
It is great that you have such good communication with your son. In general, I agree that moderation is best. But with tobacco there is so safe level of use. Regular, even modest use, leads to more severe addiction. In a young person with a history of asthma there is particular danger, and the risk of cancer in later life never goes away.
We have a great excess of lung capacity so we don't show signs of lung disease, until we are quite impaired.
So my counsel would be that he should quit. He might try a nicotine gum, lozenge, or nasal spray, as a substitute. That is perfectly safe.
Let me know how it goes,
Mike
Michael Dean, Ph.D.
Author "Empty Cribs-The Impact of Smoking on Child Health"
http//www.artsciencepub.com
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: THanks for your prompt reply. I am left with a question about your statement that there is no safe level of use.
You then immediately say, "Regular, even modest use, leads to more severe addiction." The premise of my question was that the level of use would NOT increase. So I am left wondering if you think this current level of use --two or three cigarettes a week-- is dangerous BECAUSE YOU THINK IT WILL LEAD TO "MORE SEVERE ADDICTION," or if that level of use by itself is unsafe. Is the body able to handle this small quantity of smoke and nicotine --less than 2 % of a pack-a-day habit-- without being materially harmed?
(BTW, I have read [in the journal SCIENCE NEWS, last year] that nicotine in itself --even through a gum, or whatever-- has detrimental effects on the body.)
With alcohol these days, it appears
Answer Andrew,
Each person is different, and we are finding that nicotine addiction is different in different people. There are some people that can remain occasional users of tobacco without ramping up the use. But many eventually become heavier smokers, particularly after hard times, or stress.
But even the few cigarettes a week can have harmful effects. It is not likely on its own to lead to severe lung disease, or heart disease. But all exposure increases the risk of several cancers.
No drug i without effect, but nicotine is very safe. At least i would always recommend nicotine replacement over smoking.
