Tobacco use is more prevalent in socioeconomically disadvantaged and underserved groups. It is a major women's health problem and the number one cancer-linked killer of women. Clearly, smoking cessation and treatment for nicotine dependent individuals should be part of preventive health care in order to reduce overall health care costs. Nicotine is an addictive substance, according to the Surgeon General's 1988 Report on Nicotine Addiction. Nicotine is characterized by physical dependence when it is used regularly and at a set dosage.
Nicotine dependence is listed as a disease in the International Classification of Diseases.
The 1990 Surgeon General's report emphasized the health benefits of discontinuing smoking. Former smokers live longer than continuing smokers, and the benefits of quitting extend to those who quit at older ages. Persons who quit smoking before age 50 have only one-half the risk of dying in the next 15 years when compared to continuing smokers. Studies show that cancer patients reduce their risk of a second primary cancer when they stop smoking. Women who stop smoking before becoming pregnant have infants whose birth weight is comparable to those whose mothers never smoked.