400,000 Americans die each year as the direct result of tobacco use. Canada has a similar rate even though there are large printed warnings on each cigarette package and the industry is highly regulated in terms of advertising and conditions under which the product can be sold. The US governmnent is currently considering ways that they can strengthen their regulations.
Nicotine is one the most highly addicted substances ingested by mankind and many experts see it as the “gateway” drug leading to expermentation with other substances. Judging by what I see around our elementary and high schools with kids puffing away, this seems to be borne out in fact. What I do know is that thirty odd years ago I was an up to two large packs a day smoker convinced that I would never be able to stop. But somebody gave me a plan and I grabbed onto and have not looked back. Oh I every once in a while I yearn for a good cigar but I get over it.
Back then the recovery home I was in did not attempt to even look at this addiction, There was no patch, gum or other medically assistance out side of cold turkey. In fact the prevailing thinking at that time was that you could not treat tobacco addiction at the same time as alcoholism and other drug use. Today we know differently.
Just thinking back, when I was fortunate enough to go to the non smoking session and grab on, a good friend of mine in recovery attended with me. I was able to stop he wasn’t. He died a few years back of lung cancer. I miss him.
So, what is your experience as a clinician, as a smoker or former smoker? Is tobacco the gateway drug? Can we treat all addictions at the same time? Do traditional methods for other drugs work for those addicted to nicotine? Why do severe media warnings not work as effectively as we would hope? Could it be that our youth just rebel against such messages? Why is it that more boys than girls start smoking? What about “spit tobacco”, how prevelant is its use?
For current stats please go to Health Canada’s Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey at www.hc-sc.gc.ca
I expect this week’s subject to have a fairly heavy response which will just absolutely delight me. I look forward to your comments but don’t write a book rather make multiple submissions if you like.
Jeff
P.S. It is so good not to have yellow fingers any more.
June 15, 2009 at 3:51 pm |
Mr. Wilbee,
I’m happy that your blog has touched on the tobacco addiction issue. Canada has not been able to treat tobacco addiction at all and has relied upon social engineering dynamics which are causing a deep backlash in the smoking community.
This is the most powerful and deadly addiction ever known to humans. Why are we not treating it whilewe treat other addictions? One big reason is the founders of AA have a saying”First Things First” and traditionally this has meant get your alcohol recovery going and then worry about your tobacco. For many the day they get to the tobacco file is the day their doctor gives them some bad news. Too late!
Both key founders of the 12 Step Movement Biil W and Bob., died of tobacco related illness and like many recovering alcoholics they left many years on life’s table.
The good news is this addiction can be treated very well. And you can recover from all addictions at once. I will post further insights on this blog site as time permits. Thank you for making this an issue in Canada Jeff Wilbee.
Yours in the ligth recovery brings,
Murray Kelly
Executive Director,
The Tobacco Healing Center
Arnprior, ON.
June 18, 2009 at 2:05 am |
After smoking many substances including tobacco cigarettes, it took a lot of willpower and support to quit.
30 years + of inhaling “coffin nails” lead me to suddenly come to realize, and come to grips of knowing that this will lead to my death in a hurry. Luckily there are many smoking cessation programs available to the public.
However I am just a bit confused of the government’s stance on treatment rather than prevention. They don’t seem to mind paying with our money, treament costs associated with lung disease procedures and therapies in hospitals as opposed to giving away free nicotine replacement products ie. patches, gum, or sprays which cost a lot less than the tens of thousands spent in hospital care.
Giving a hundred smokers, trying to quit, these products costing only hundreds of dollars could keep most if not all, out of the hospital which is more expensive.
I am sure the government could come up with other forms of taxation on other products, if this is what they are woried about.
August 23, 2009 at 2:33 pm |
I agree it is so nice not to have yellow fingers anymore:)
Here in Iceland the money put into either prevention or treatment is way to litle also I think they just randomly pick were to put the money I have no knowledge of the government getting to know the outcome of the asignment or how it is worked.
I would like to see the government give this matters more interest.