Gripped by a smoking habit so hard to break

More than three-quarters of 26-year-old New Zealanders now smoking would like to quit or cut down, says a survey from Otago University.

The survey covered 400 smokers of that age. It showed that, on occasions, three-quarters of them smoked more than they intended and about a quarter chain-smoked, indicating that some smoking was beyond personal control.

The study, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal, is said to be the first of such young adults in New Zealand using current international measures of nicotine dependence.

These measures include symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety and restlessness, indicating someone continuing to use the drug despite experiencing significant problems relating to its use.

Dr Tony Reeder, of the university's Social and Behavioural Research in Cancer Group, says their study strongly confirms the need to continue, increase and adequately finance the quit-smoking services available in New Zealand.

"Clearly there are a lot of people out there, many with young children at home, who desperately want to quit smoking but find it difficult unaided," he says.

When the National Quitline 0800 778-778 was established last November 70,000 calls were received in the first six weeks. About 165,000 calls had been received to the end of June by the helpline, which has made Nicotine Replacement Therapy available nationally.

When do most people start smoking?

The study says most smokers start in adolescence when the health risks seem remote. The reality of nicotine dependence is appreciated even less among adults.

The latest study was based on the internationally known Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study of about 1000 children born in Dunedin in 1972-73. About 40 per cent of those smoke tobacco and had smoked daily for a month or more during the 12-month period covered.

How does trying to quit feel?

When trying to cut down or quit smoking one-third of the survey said they had experienced withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, frustration or anger. A third also suffered restlessness or appetite changes. Some experienced anxiety, depression, or difficulty concentrating or sleeping.

How important is quitting?

Dr Reeder says quitting before middle age is important because it helps smokers avoid disabling smoking-related diseases, such as emphysema, which make it difficult to breathe.

Giving up also greatly reduces the risk of premature death from heart disease, stroke or lung cancer.

"In contrast," says Dr Reeder, "many who continue to smoke don't live to see their children grow up, appreciate their grandchildren, or enjoy a healthy retirement."

What would help?

The study found a need for all workplaces and shared public places to be smokefree. That not only helps workplace safety for restaurant and bar workers but provides an incentive for smokers to quit and a supportive social context to help it work.