To Quit Smoking, Try Eating More Veggies and Fruits

If you're trying to quit smoking, eating more fruits and vegetables may help you quit and stay tobacco-free for longer, according to a new study. The study found that smokers who consumed the most fruit and vegetables were three times more likely to have been tobacco-free for at least 1 month when they were contacted 14 months later than those consuming the lowest amount of fruits and vegetables. 

Several explanations are possible, such as less nicotine dependence for people who consume a lot of fruits and vegetables or the fact that higher fibre consumption from fruits and vegetables make people feel fuller. "It is also possible that fruits and vegetables give people more of a feeling of satiety or fullness so that they feel less of a need to smoke, since smokers sometimes confuse hunger with an urge to smoke," explains Haibach, the lead author of the paper. 

And unlike some foods which are known to enhance the taste of tobacco, such as meats, caffeinated beverages and alcohol, fruits and vegetables do not enhance the taste of tobacco. "Foods like fruit and vegetables may actually worsen the taste of cigarettes," says Haibach.

Have you noticed any relationship between the amount of fruit and veg you consume and the amount you smoke? If you are interested in hearing about tried and tested methods that we know can help you quit then call us today on 0207 882 8230.

Graphic cigarette warnings help smokers to quit

According to a team of researchers in America, warning labels on cigarette packets that feature graphic images stay in smokers' minds longer. Smokers recalled the warning label better if it was accompanied by an image, compared to just only text. What do you think of graphic labels on cigarette packs? Do you think they help at all? Let us know your thoughts. 

It's never too late to quit

Do you find yourself thinking "there is no pointing quitting, it's too late, the damage has been done"? Quitting smoking reduces mortality, even in older patients, an analysis of medical literature finds. A thorough review of 17 studies assessing the impact of smoking on all-cause mortality in people 60 years and older was done, and the authors demonstrated that the relative risk for death notably decreases with time since smoking cessation even at older age.

Are you interested in quitting smoking? Contact the Smokers' Clinic on 0207 882 8230 to find out more about your options.

Majority of adults think children should be protected from tobacco marketing

The vast majority of UK adults (84%) think children should be protected from marketing by tobacco companies, according to new research by Cancer Research UK.

What do you think?

CITY FOCUS: Taxing times in tobacco trading

Another story from the Daily Mail online, seeming to take this side of big tobacco. We have already looked at plain packaging; it is an interesting debate. What do you think? Read the full story here.

Stress levels and smoking: Why your dad's bad habits may have wrecked your genes

This story comes from todays Daily Mail. It summerises research on how lifestyle factors can affect offspring through the alteration of genes, such as addictions and overeating causing children to be more prone to depression, autism or heart disease for example. A longitudinal study showed a link between fathers smoking before puberty having sons who were fatter by the age of 9, even when other lifestyle factors were taking into account.

Tobacco Packaging - got an opinion?

The UK Government has today launched its consultation on the issue of plain standardised packaging of tobacco products. Any person, business or organisation with an interest is encouraged to respond.

Check the link here

Smartphone Technology and Smoking Cessation

The Smokers’ Clinic team is naturally interested in looking at potential new methods to study nicotine addiction and potential areas for research in smoking cessation. A study done by researchers in the States used a smartphone app to prompt smokers to answer questions about their urge to smoke and if they were smoking at the time. Read the coverage here.

According to the lead author of the paper, “the process of nicotine addiction and withdrawal is a complex mixture of biological, social and psychological factors, and the study's findings reflect how tough it is to break nicotine addiction”.

It is certainly an interesting and novel way to collect data on factors affecting nicotine dependence. Whether the same methodology can be used to actually help smokers quit is another question. Various text messaging and smartphone apps have been tried and more are being developed. A recent paper in the Lancet found a mobile phone based text messaging support system significantly improved outcomes at 6 months.

Be sure to expect more research in this new and growing field in the future.

The Smokers' Clinic - an update

What have we been up to this year so far at the Smokers’ Clinic and what have we got planned for the following months?

The “DENIC” trial has almost drawn to a close; investigating whether cigarettes which contain no nicotine can help people cope more effectively with their urges to smoke. When the data have been analysed we will let you know our findings.

The “TVIN” study continues; investigating whether tailoring the dose of Varenicline (Champix) to the needs of an individual further assists a smoker in quitting. If you are interested in taking part and are available on 26^th or 27^th May to come to our clinic in Whitechapel, London then call us on 0207 882 5722.

We have a trial starting over the next few months investigating nicotine-free electronic cigarettes and whether they can help to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Please call 0207 882 5949 for further information.

The Weight Clinic returns soon with a trial comparing our Weight Action Program (WAP) against standard NHS treatment, more details to follow regarding recruitment, we are expecting it to be popular!

Finally, later this year we will be starting the “NRT-preloading" trial – part of a multicentre study looking at whether using Nicotine Patches  for 4 weeks before quitting will improve abstinence rates.

You may sometimes see our advertisements in the Metro or the Evening Standard for “Smokers wanted”. The same advertisements will be repeated on the blog so keep checking back!

As always, we still offer standard NHS Specialist Stop Smoking support for all smokers who live or work in Tower Hamlets or City & Hackney, and have a variety of times and places you can come along a find out about what is on offer. Call us today on 0207 882 8230 to find out more.