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CENTURY
Yale University
School of Medicine
SAC-203
Connecticut
Mental Health Center
34 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06519

Phone:
203-974-7591

Fax:
203-974-7606

E-mail:
infocentury@yale.edu

CENTURY/TTURC Press Release

New Haven, Conn. - Each new school year represents a fresh start for kids. Parents who smoke can help their kids get that new start by giving up the habit now, reducing the chances that their children will suffer from illnesses and school absences caused by second-hand smoke.

"Quitting smoking is clearly one of the best things you can do for your own health. It can also be beneficial to the health of your children," said Dr. Stephanie O'Malley, professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine.

The consequences of second-hand smoke on children are well established. The health problems it can cause can lead to increased absences from school.

According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, second-hand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, more than 40 of which cause cancer. Children of parents who smoke are extremely susceptible to problems from secondhand smoke. Parents who expose their children to secondhand smoke increase the child's risk of infections like pneumonia and bronchitis.

"When parents smoke, children suffer," said Dr. Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, an assistant professor of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. "The children have higher rates of respiratory illnesses. They are more likely to cough, wheeze and have middle ear infection, among other problems."

Parents who would like the kick the habit can take several steps. They can take a Healthy Homes pledge sponsored by Mobilize against Tobacco for Children's Health or they can participate in the Environmental Protection Agency's Smoke Free Homes Pledge. In both cases, they will get additional information on quitting smoking and they will be making a commitment to improving both their own health and that of their children.

Parents also can participate in one of two ongoing studies at Yale that can provide support and treatment to help people quit smoking. One study is examining the novel use of an existing drug as a possible treatment for smoking. The other will examine why treatment-resistant smokers find it hard to quit. Both studies are seeking participants who want to quit smoking.

One study, led by Dr. Stephanie O'Malley, professor of psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine, will investigate whether the drug naltrexone, used in combination with the nicotine patch, can help people quit smoking. In addition, the study will look at the effects of naltrexone on the craving for cigarettes, weight gain following quitting, and alcohol consumption.

Dr. Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, assistant professor of psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine, is the lead investigator on the other study, which will try to determine the best treatment for smokers who have a particularly hard time quitting, such as women, drinkers and people who are depressed. Krishnan-Sarin said research shows that these are the subgroups that often relapse.

Participants in this study will join a one-month intensive smoking cessation program that will teach them how to quit, and prevent relapse. It also will reward abstinence from smoking with increasing amounts of money. This program will not use any drugs to assist smoking cessation.

"Rewarding people for not smoking has been shown to successfully reduce smoking rates," said Dr. Krishnan-Sarin. "Our experience to date indicates very high quit rates, approximately 90 percent at the end of the first week of not smoking."

To find out more about how to sign up for the Yale studies, call Susan at 203-974-7588 or Amy at 860-667-6828.

Making a pledge to quit smoking can further reinforce parents' resolve.

"Studies have shown that children who grown up in homes where parents smoke are much more likely to smoke, so that is a long-term concern," said Kevin Graff, executive director of MATCH, Mobilize Against Tobacco for Children's Health. "A more immediate concern is that second-hand smoke is a leading trigger of asthma attacks."

To encourage Connecticut smokers to stop, the MATCH Coalition has a program called Healthy Homes, where Connecticut residents can take a pledge to keep their homes smoke-free. To sign up, Connecticut residents can fill out an on-line form at http://www.matchcoalition.com/healthy_homes.htm or they can call at 1-888-336-MATCH.

To take the Smoke-Free Home Pledge, smokers can call the toll-free hotline at 1-800-513-1157.