Expert: Michael Dean - 5/25/2009

Question
Hi Michael,

I think I can stop smoking cold turkey. Yesterday,surprisingly, a patient waiting beside me at a pharmacy told me they'd heard that people who quit smoking "cold turkey" have a higher incidence of getting lung cancer, although I haven't seen anything searching the web about it.

Is there any scientific evidence or truth behind this? If this could be true, should one then slowly wean from smoking instead of quitting all at once?

Thank you.

Mike E.

Answer
Dear Mike,

That is a myth. Lung cancer is caused by the damage of the smoking, and the more you smoke the higher the risk. It is true that some quitters get congestion and other lung problems as part of the healing process. This can lead them to get check ups they have been avoiding, and then some get found to have lung cancer. But the tumor cannot be caused by the quitting process.

There are of course many methods to quit.

You can try cold turkey. I'd suggest you read "The EasyWay to Quit Smoking" by Allen Carr. He explains how smoking has no positive benefit in your life and the many advantages of quitting. The book has been a best seller in Europe for many years, and you might find it useful. You should also call 1-800-QUIT-Now and find out about resources in your state. Some states provide free therapy and telephone quitlines, and these are useful.

There are a number of new drug therapies that are highly effective. Talk to your doctor about prescribing both Chantix and Zyban. Chantix is a new drug that blocks nicotine's action. Zyban helps in reducing anxiety and withdrawal symptoms. Pfizer provides an online counseling program along with Zyban.

Nicotine replacement therapy is another option, that works for many.

Or for online resources:
http://smokefree.gov/

I have a site with info as well:
http://artsciencepub.com/quitting.htm

Let me know how this goes,

Good luck,

Michael Dean, Ph.D.
Author "Empty Cribs-The Impact of Smoking on Child Health"
http//www.artsciencepub.com