Of course, the best way to reduce the risks of smoking is to quit. There is universal awareness of the conclusions of the Surgeon General, public health and medical officials that smoking causes serious diseases, including lung cancer and heart disease. Individuals should rely on these conclusions when making any decision regarding smoking. Many people believe that smoking is addictive, and as that term is commonly used today, it is.
Many smokers find it difficult to quit and some find it extremely difficult.
However, we disagree with characterizing smoking as being addictive in the same sense as heroin, cocaine or similar substances. As many Americans have quit smoking as currently smoke. The 1990 U.S. Surgeon General's report stated that nearly 45 million Americans had quit smoking. There are many products, programs and resources available that have been designed to assist an individual in quitting smoking. For smokers who wish to quit and find such aids to be of assistance, we encourage them to use them.