A Therapist's Guide to the Connection Between Sugar and Smoking

As a smoking cessation therapist, it is now my job to advise clients not only of the many benefits to be gained from quitting, but also to provide them with some basic education on the substances that are added to the cigarettes they have been smoking. It will surprise many to know that there are more than 600 chemicals which are legally allowed to be added when manufacturing cigarettes. Many who are aware of frightening statistics however, are oblivious to the fact that sugar is also one of such additions. Sugar does occur naturally in tobacco, but its levels depend upon how the tobacco is processed for further use.

Are you aware that some cigarettes contain coffee, cocoa and even vanilla?

It is reported by NBC News, UK. that when burned, cocoa converts to a new type of gas which dilates your airways (the bronchial tubes) to help your body suck in an even higher dose of addictive nicotine. The ammonia that is also present does the same job for you.

The Government's Stance:

These practices by well known, and at this moment, unnamed, high powered cigarette giants are nothing more than blatant attempts to disguise the disgusting taste cigarette smoke can give you and soften the burn to your throat for just long enough that you become addicted. These big businesses are doing it because our governments permit them to do so.

All additives must be approved by our government before they can be added to your cigarettes, so we do know where to directly lay blame. But just because someone tells you to jump off a cliff, or push somebody else, doesn't mean you actually do it. We really do possess the power to stop this slaughter. Who are you voting for? Email him or her as to her intentions in helping you to protect your kids from these sweet smelling cancerous producing products. One has to wonder if there will even be a response even though it truly is a life and death situation. I personally have not seen any concern shown when our candidates have presented their issues to the public. Shouldn't the inclusions of poison to consumer items be at the forefront of any issue related to health and the health care system? We have to have child proof lids on a bottle of aspirin, but we still allow these monsters to suck our kids into even more dangerous practices.

Food and Chemical Toxicology reported that sugars and even some fruit juices are being added to tobacco products in an attempt to lure a new generation of smokers to addiction. The sweet additions produce a more favorable aroma, therefore increasing the numbers of adolescent smokers who indulge in this toxic habit.

Scientists say that the inclusion of sugars into cigarettes only serves to produce acetaldehyde which in turn stimulates the addictive triggers which these giant manufacturers need in order to keep us hooked and buying their product. Scientists are also alarmed at the fact that sugar, when combined and burned with tobacco cause a reaction where many other carcinogenic toxins are formed. One of the many chemicals whose effects are enhanced is formaldehyde. For those unaware, formaldehyde is a chemical used in embalming bodies of the deceased, and to produce a fresh, firm looking skin when presenting the body for viewing.

Quitting:

Client Study:

John contacted me to ask for help in kicking the habit. To do this I first needed to ask him a series of questions to determine what type of smoker he is. Only then would I know how to best help him. Some people have a pure nicotine addiction. They have become victims of all of the above trickery and are so hooked there is no question that they simply can't do it alone. For others it is more of a habit, a matter of behavioral change. For example, they make coffee- they smoke, sit in front of the computer- smoke, get into the car to go shopping, eat something, sit down to watch TV - they smoke.

When quitting smoking, it is always recommended that a Vitamin B complex is taken daily and plenty of fluids are consumed in order to rehydrate the body and commence the healing process. It is worth noting that a Vitamin C deficiency is usually present in smokers, and drinking fruit juices or eating more foods containing it, particularly citrus can help with this issue. When John requested my help this was the first set of ground rules we set to follow.

It then took 3 sessions of therapy, and a whole scenario of mind altering habit changes to convince his body that less nicotine was OK. It was no easy chore, but he followed the plan and finally was able to quit at the 3rd session without any subsequent distress and almost no withdrawal symptoms. Today, he is still a non smoker, and is educated enough to tell you all of the reasons why you should quit too.

So, in addition to now knowing about this hidden sugar 'treat' in your pack of cigarettes, I am obliged to inform you of a few benefits of burying them before they help to bury you and your family.

Within 20 minutes of quitting smoking, there is already a healing process in action, and...

-In just the first 24 hours the risk of sudden death from heart attack decreases

-After 48 hours, our nerve endings begin to regrow and ability to taste and smell improves

-72 hours after quitting, our bronchial tubes relax

-And 2 weeks to 3 months after kicking the habit we have a 30%+ better lung function

In conclusion, the addition of sugar and other sweeteners to cigarette tobacco is said to not only elevate the already present dangers associated with smoking, but also rapidly increase your risk of falling victim to many cancers than ever before, particularly lung cancer. It's not if it will happen, it's a matter of how long until it does.

Sources:

BBC News,UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/background_briefings/smoking/281167.stm

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formaldehyde

Food and Chemical Toxicology

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1001-02.htm