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Ex-Smokers

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Synonyms

Former smokers; Past smokers; Previous smokers

Definition

The term ex-smoker refers to an individual who has given up (i.e., quit) cigarette and/or tobacco smoking. Ex-smokers were previous current smokers, but are no longer smoking.

Tobacco smoking is defined as the practice of burning and inhaling tobacco, and cigarette smoking is the most common form of tobacco smoking. National surveys define a current smoker as an individual who has smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smokes on at least some days.

Description

Cigarette smoking is the most important modifiable risk factor for chronic disease; yet, there is not a consensus in the way smoking status is classified. The harmful effects of cigarette smoking on various health outcomes have been determined by comparing individuals who are (1) current smokers, (2) ex-smokers, and/or (3) never smokers. Therefore, the definition of an ex-smoker is important for making cross-study comparisons regarding the...

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References and Readings

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Correspondence to Marcia D. McNutt M.P.H. .

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© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, New York

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McNutt, M.D., Webb Hooper, M. (2013). Ex-Smokers. In: Gellman, M.D., Turner, J.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_313

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1005-9_313

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1004-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1005-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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