In addition to dieting, quitting smoking is one of the most common New Year's resolutions, and for good reason - we all know that smoking is dangerous, and a leading cause of preventable death. Although Los Angeles County had a lower percentage of smokers in 2005 than the state of California (13.6 percent in L.A. County, versus 14.3 percent statewide), tobacco use is still linked to the top five causes of death in the county, including 20 percent of coronary heart disease deaths and 85 percent of lung cancer deaths. For smokers, the health benefits of quitting smoking are clear and without question.
But another group of people should also resolve to quit: Occasional or social smokers. In California, the percentage of smokers who light up occasionally increased from 26 percent in 1992 to 30 percent in 2005, according to state health statistics.
Social smokers have cigarettes "only once in awhile" - usually when they're with friends or when they've been drinking. They are often younger, more educated and more financially secure than daily smokers. Many don't even consider themselves smokers and, as such, believe they're not at risk for the health problems associated with nicotine abuse. That is hardly the case.
Although they may not be as addicted to nicotine, social smokers still are setting themselves up to have an increased chance of getting many of the same diseases that affect daily smokers. In fact, how long a person has smoked - not how much - is the strongest risk.
Even for those who don't smoke on a regular basis, just being near smokers can be deadly, too. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds, and about 50 of these are known or suspected to cause cancer. We know that the inhalation of secondhand smoke has been found to cause lung disease in nonsmokers.
The social settings that prompt occasional smokers to take a puff or "bum" a cigarette can make it difficult to say no, especially when friends and peers also are lighting up. Social smoking often goes hand-in-hand with another social activity, drinking, and the effects of alcohol loosen inhibitions. The association between smoking and a good time can be tough to break, but the consequences of just a single cigarette or one night of tobacco use can have a negative effect on one's body - blood pressure is raised, airways are irritated, arteries may stiffen and sense of smell and taste is compromised.
The bottom line is this: If you smoke at all - even if it's "only once in awhile" - you are at increased risk of cancer and heart disease, because the substances and carcinogens in cigarettes and tobacco are so concentrated and toxic. It also leads the way to full-blown addiction down the road.
If you are a social smoker, please make an effort this year to not participate in activities where you know you won't be able to resist or get yourself in situations where the likelihood of lighting up is high. Chances are, not every single person in your social groups smokes. When the smokers go outside for a cigarette break, stay inside with the non-smokers. If you're in an outdoor setting, the smokers will probably have to move to a more secluded spot, especially since many cities in L.A. County have enacted outdoor smoking bans. Resist the urge to follow them. Believe me: The smokers won't care, and the non-smokers will be happy to have your company. And, if you are already hooked and are having trouble giving up the habit, give the California Smokers' Helpline a call at 1-800-NO-BUTTS. They will provide you with a choice of self-help materials if you want to quit smoking on your own, a referral list of programs in your area, or even one-on-one telephone counseling.