To mark World No Tobacco Day tomorrow, a new survey reveals smokers themselves perceive nicotine to be more addictive than cocaine and only marginally less addictive than heroin.
Smoking is in fact a chronic, relapsing medical condition but 60% of smokers who have tried to quit at least three times have never sought medical help or treatment and despite recognising the severity of their dependence, smokers typically battle their addiction to smoking with just willpower alone.
With many smokers likely to consider a quit attempt on or around the World Health Organisation (WHO) World No Tobacco Day, the new survey of 1,000 Irish smokers, carried out by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Pfizer, spotlights a serious need for smokers to reconsider how they approach quitting for their best chance of success.
Man Tries to Quit Smoking
Prof. Luke Clancy of the Tobacco Free Research Institute says; “By seeing smoking as only a habit or lifestyle choice rather than an addiction or medical condition, many smokers are ruling out seeking medical help, thinking that they must give up by themselves. But the addictive effects of nicotine and the psychological rituals and associations linked with smoking make quitting a major challenge for most smokers. It is essential that they know that help is available.”
The new survey also shows that smokers will typically adopt some extreme behaviours in a bid to satisfy their serious addiction to nicotine and smoking. These behaviours range from the slight to the serious, such as enduring severe weather to smoke, covering up the habit to friends and family and even letting relationships ruin:
- 41% of smokers surveyed lie about the amount they smoke
- Even if smoking was the primary reason for the breakdown of a relationship, only one in three (33%) of smokers surveyed might then consider quitting smoking
- 78% of smokers surveyed have stood outside in the rain, sleet or snow to smoke
- 40% of smokers have smoked someone else’s half smoked cigarette or cigar
- Over half (62%) of smokers surveyed have lit up when they were suffering a throat infection
However, the danger for many smokers comes from their gradual self-acceptance that these extreme behaviours are normal everyday life and simply part of their lifestyle as a smoker.
It is estimated that as many as seven out of ten smokers want to quit, yet in reality 97% of smokers who try to quit by themselves will be smoking again within one year5. The majority will relapse in as little as eight days6. Smokers are most likely to quit successfully with a healthcare professional’s help, as studies show that even a brief conversation with a healthcare professional can double a smoker’s chances of quitting successfully.
David Gallagher, Managing Director of Pfizer Ireland said; “This World No Tobacco Day we would urge smokers if they want to quit but have failed repeatedly in the past, to go and see your GP or other healthcare professional for your best chance of quit success this time. Smokers are more likely to quit successfully with a healthcare professional’s help.”
