Maria Penha Uchoa Sales1,a, Alberto José de Araújo2,b, José Miguel Chatkin3,c, Irma de Godoy4,d, Luiz Fernando Ferreira Pereira5,e, Maria Vera Cruz de Oliveira Castellano6,f, Suzana Erico Tanni4,g, Adriana Ávila de Almeida7,h, Gustavo Chatkin3,i, Luiz Carlos Côrrea da Silva8,j, Cristina Maria Cantarino Gonçalves9,k, Clóvis Botelho12,13,l, Ubiratan Paula Santos14,m, Carlos Alberto de Assis Viegas15,n, Maristela Rodrigues Sestelo16,o, Ricardo Henrique Sampaio Meireles10,11,p, Paulo César Rodrigues Pinto Correa17,q, Maria Eunice Moraes de Oliveira18,r, Jonatas Reichert19,s, Mariana Silva Lima6,t, Celso Antonio Rodrigues da Silva20,u
J Bras Pneumol.2019;45(3):e20180314
Smoking is the leading cause of respiratory disease (RD). The harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system begin in utero and influence immune responses throughout childhood and adult life. In comparison with "healthy" smokers, smokers with RD have peculiarities that can impede smoking cessation, such as a higher level of nicotine dependence; nicotine withdrawal; higher levels of exhaled carbon monoxide; low motivation and low self-efficacy; greater concern about weight gain; and a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In addition, they require more intensive, prolonged treatment. It is always necessary to educate such individuals about the fact that quitting smoking is the only measure that will reduce the progression of RD and improve their quality of life, regardless of the duration and severity of the disease. Physicians should always offer smoking cessation treatment. Outpatient or inpatient smoking cessation treatment should be multidisciplinary, based on behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy. It will thus be more effective and cost-effective, doubling the chances of success.
Keywords: Respiratory tract diseases/therapy; Respiratory tract diseases/drug therapy; Tobacco use disorder/epidemiology; Smoking cessation; Counseling; Lung neoplasms.