Cigarette Sales Increase for the First Time in 20 Years On the Heels Of Lung Cancer Awareness Month; Understand the Risk of Smoking

This is concerning because smoking is linked to multiple kinds of cancers and can even effect cancer survival.

RELATED: Smoking Doesn't Just Cause Lung Cancer. It's the Top Risk Factor For Bladder Cancer. Here's How to Quit.

"We know that there is a causal relationship between smoking and both incidents of cancer, and the chance of dying from cancer," Dr. Andrea Tufano-Sugarman of NYU Langone Health previously told SurvivorNet. "And there are very few things in science that have a cause and effect relationship, but this is one of them, which is very powerful."

Smoking and Lung Cancer Risk

Lung cancer, the second most common type of cancer, is the leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the United States. Non-smokers still get lung cancer, but cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for the disease. This is because tobacco smoke contains a mixture of more than 7,000 different chemicals, and at least 70 of which are known to cause cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention states that cigarette smoking is linked to about 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, and people who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who don't smoke. Additionally, second-hand smoke can cause lung cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 7,000 adults die of lung cancer annually from breathing secondhand smoke.

How to Quit Smoking

Dr. Andrea Tufano-Sugarman often counsels cancer patients who are trying to quit smoking, which, she says, is similar to counseling other smokers.

RELATED: Quitting Smoking Early Pays Off: New Research Finds that Smokers Who Quit By 45 Reduce Their Excess Lung Cancer Risk by 87%; Tips For Quitting

When Dr. Tufano-Sugarman works with people with cancer, counseling is often paired with nicotine replacement therapy. She typically prescribes a daily nicotine patch to manage withdrawal symptoms, as well as a fast-acting option to curb cravings like a nicotine gum, inhaler, or spray.

Dr. Tufano-Sugarman's main message for people trying to quit smoking is that the process is not always linear.

"There's going to be slip-ups and relapses," she said. "But above all, it's never too late to stop."

Strategies for Managing Tobacco Cravings

1. Nicotine replacement therapy. As Dr. Tufano-Sugarman discussed, nicotine replacement therapy is one of the main tools that smokers have at their disposal. Long-acting therapies like nicotine patches can be paired with short acting therapies (including nicotine gum, lozenges, nasal spray, and inhalers) to cope with intense cravings. More research will be needed to gauge the effectiveness of other smoking substitutes like e-cigarettes and vapes.
2. Steer clear of triggers. Cravings can be provoked by situations that you are used to having tobacco in. It can help to familiarize yourself with these environments and make plans for how you can manage them without tobacco or how you can avoid them completely.
3. Wait. If you feel yourself on the brink of giving in to a tobacco craving, delay smoking for 10 minutes and do something else to distract yourself. Move to a no-smoking area to make it less convenient for you to smoke. Cravings can often subside if given time.
4. Chew something. Whether it's gum, candy, or vegetables, chew something that will occupy your mouth as you resist your cravings.
5. Don't give in to the "just one more" mentality. Smoking once just leads to smoking again. Be careful not to convince yourself that you can satisfy a tobacco craving and then quit after that.
6. Exercise more. Boosting your physical activity can distract you from tobacco cravings and also make them less intense. Exercise can mean a lot of different thingseven short periods of physical activity can help tobacco cravings go away.
7. Try relaxation techniques. Finding new ways of dealing with stress can be an important part of quitting smoking. Techniques like deep-breathing, yoga, visualization, muscle relaxation, and massage can open new doors for the way you relate to stress and smoking.
8. Reach out for support. Establishing strong support systems is essential both for people battling cancer and people battling tobacco addiction. Calling a friend or family member to talk on the phone or go for a walk can help remind you that you're not in this alone.
9. Research other resources. The Mayo Clinic recommends a free telephone line800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669)for support and counseling. Additionally, there are online support groups for smokers trying to quit, and blogs where people write about how they manage the same challenges you are facing.
10. Remind yourself why you want to quit. Whether your goal is to feel better, get healthier, save money, or prepare for cancer treatment, it can help to write down or speak aloud the reason you decided to quit in the first place.

Contributing: Joe Kerwin

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