Women addicted to nicotine

Summary

Nicotine dependence is epidemic and the numbers of smoking women have increased significantly during the past few years. Given concerns about the effects of nicotine-dependence on women, a literature review was carried out to examine gender differences in nicotine effects and cessation programs. Women show an increased risk for tobacco-associated diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, decreased fertility, premature menopause and they endanger themselves and their unborn child during pregnancy. As conventional smoking cessation programs are less effective in women, participation in women-only smoking cessation groups should be encouraged. Health professionals should also focus on smoking during pregnancy, since smoking cessation during early pregnancy can alter pregnancy outcomes. Clinical research on a variety of pharmacological and behavioural treatments may help to combat tobacco addiction. Recent work has looked at new therapeutic options for people who have problems attaining abstinence. Findings from these studies suggest that psychopharmacological treatment with antidepressants may be effective, although to date, gender differences in responsiveness to these treatments have not been reported. The heightened vulnerability of women to tobacco-related diseases and the harmful effects of smoking during pregnancy reinforce the need to develop specific treatment strategies that address both the psychological and physiological needs of women smokers.