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Helping teens quit smoking

(NC)—A recent study has shown that smoking just one or two cigarettes may be all it takes for some adolescents to become addicted to nicotine.

This research, funded by the Canadian Cancer Society, has experts thinking that tools traditionally used to help adults stop smoking may also be helpful for teens.

"Smoking can be as much of a physical addiction for teens as for adults," says Dr. Jennifer O'Loughlin, who is studying the smoking habits of more than 1,200 Montreal high school students. "Hopefully, more research will tell us whether treatments such as smoking cessation programs or even nicotine patches might help them."

Dr. Jennifer O'Loughlin: Shedding light on teen smoking.
Photo credit: Claudio Calligari
Dr. O'Loughlin, a researcher at McGill University and the Direction de la santé publique in Montreal-Centre, says her research is important because it challenges the traditional belief that it takes teens years of daily smoking to become addicted.

"There are real dangers to putting that first cigarette into your mouth."

Cheryl Moyer, director of Cancer Control Programs for the Canadian Cancer Society, agrees. "This research tells us why intervention programs don't always work for teens who are already experimenting with smoking. We need to find new answers for them."

The good news is that many students in Dr. O'Loughlin's study are getting the right message about smoking. As one teen reported, "It can sometimes be tempting, but when I really think about it, I know that being a smoker is not the type of lifestyle I'm looking for."

When you want to know more about quitting smoking, call the Canadian Cancer Society
toll-free at 1 888 939-3333, e-mail info@cis.cancer.ca or visit www.cancer.ca.

- News Canada