Most smokers take several attempts to quit before they finally succeed. The power of addiction is also demonstrated by the fact that some smokers are reluctant to stop smoking even after undergoing surgery for smoking-induced diseases. Around forty per cent of those who have had a laryngectomy try smoking soon afterwards, while about 50 per cent of lung cancer patients resume smoking after undergoing surgery. There are a number of markers which can measure dependence on a substance. A key factor is the degree of compulsion to take the drug experienced by the user.
Most smokers smoke on a daily basis.
Fewer than 1 in 20 smokers smoke less frequently than daily. Other indicators of dependence include the time from waking to first cigarette. Few smokers believe that they could manage to go without smoking for a whole day, with only 16 per cent believing that it would be very easy while 29 per cent think that it would be very difficult to do so. For smokers, typical physical symptoms following cessation or reduction of nicotine intake include craving for nicotine, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, sleep disturbances, decreased heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain. Genetic Influence Recent research suggests that certain smokers may be predisposed to nicotine addiction through the effects of a gene responsible for metabolising nicotine.