(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

This is SCIENCE IN THE NEWS, in VOA Special English. I'm SarahLong.

VOICE TWO:

And I'm Bob Doughty. On ourprogram this week, we tell about the health effects of smokingtobacco products. We also offer advice about how to stop smoking.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

For many years, scientists have warned that smoking tobacco isbad for your health. Yet people around the world continue to smoke.The World Health Organization estimates that almost five millionpeople around the world die each year from the effects of smoking.That number is increasing. W.H.O. officials say tobacco use couldkill more than nine million people a year by two thousand twenty ifnothing is done to control the problem.

In the United States, an estimated forty-six million adultscurrently smoke. American health experts say tobacco use is theleading preventable cause of death in the country. This year, anestimated four hundred forty thousand Americans will die of diseaseslinked to smoking.

VOICE TWO:

Smoking tobacco is the leading cause of lung disease. Smokingalso has been linked to heart disease, stroke and many kinds ofcancer. The American Cancer Society says smoking is responsible forabout eighty-seven percent of all lung cancers in the United States.The group adds that smoking is a major cause of cancers of themouth, esophagus, kidney, bladder and pancreas.

Scientists have identified more than sixty chemicals in tobaccosmoke that cause cancer in humans and animals. Smokeless tobacco andcigars also have been linked to cancer.

VOICE ONE:

American experts say smoking affects not only the smoker. Womenwho smoke cigarettes during pregnancy are more likely to have babieswith health problems. Pregnant women who smoke are at risk of havinga baby who weighs less than normal. Low birth weight babies have anincreased risk of early death and may suffer from a number of healthdisorders.

Experts say tobacco smoke also affects the health of people whodo not smoke. Smokers may harm the health of family members andpeople at work when they breathe out smoke from cigarettes. This iscalled "second-hand smoke." Tobacco smoke causes an estimated threethousand non-smoking Americans to die of lung cancer each year.Tobacco smoke also causes lung infections in up to three hundredthousand American children each year.

The American Cancer Society says there is no safe way to smoke.It says smoking begins to cause damage immediately. All cigarettescan damage the body. Smoking even a small number of cigarettes isdangerous.

VOICE TWO:

Last week, United Nations officials announced that a treatyagainst smoking will become part of international law early nextyear. The announcement came after Peru became the fortieth countryto agree to the treaty.

The World Health Organization Framework Convention on TobaccoControl will come into force on February twenty-eighth, two thousandfive. After that date, any country approving the treaty will berequired to obey its rules. They govern issues such as tobacco priceand tax increases, the illegal trade of tobacco products, andsecond-hand smoke.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

Nicotine is the major substance in cigarettes that gives pleasureto smokers. Nicotine is a poison. The American Cancer Society saysnicotine can kill a person when taken in large amounts. It does thisby stopping the muscles used for breathing.

The body grows to depend on nicotine. When a former smoker smokesa cigarette, the nicotine reaction may start again. This forces theperson to keep smoking.

Studies have found that nicotine can be as powerful as alcohol orthe drug cocaine. So experts say it is better not to start smokingand become dependent on nicotine than it is to smoke with the ideaof stopping later.

VOICE TWO:

Most people who smoke have heard about the harmful effects ofcigarettes. Some of them decide to smoke fewer cigarettes. However,most smokers find that is difficult.

Experts say menthol cigarettes are no safer than other tobaccoproducts. Menthol cigarettes produce a cool feeling in the smoker'sthroat. People who use menthol cigarettes can hold the smoke insidetheir lungs longer than smokers of other products. As a result,experts say menthol cigarettes may be even more dangerous.

VOICE ONE:

Other smokers believe that cigarettes with low tar levels aresafer. Tar is a substance produced when tobacco leaves are burned.It is known to cause cancer.

Three years ago, the National Cancer Institute released a reportabout low tar cigarettes. It found that people who smoke thesecigarettes do not reduce their risk of getting diseases linked withsmoking. The report found no evidence that changes in cigarettedesign and production during the past fifty years have improvedpublic health.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

It is not easy to stop smoking permanently. However, doctors sayyou probably will live longer if you do stop smoking. You will feelbetter and look better. You also will protect the health of otherpeople who breathe your smoke.

The American Cancer Society says the sooner smokers stop smoking,the more they can reduce their chances of getting cancer and otherdiseases. It says blood pressure returns to normal twenty minutesafter smoking the last cigarette.

Carbon monoxide gas levels in the blood return to normal aftereight hours. After one day, the chance of heart attack decreases.After one year, the risk of heart disease for a non-smoker is halfthat of a smoker.

VOICE ONE:

Experts say there are some products designed to help end asmoker's dependency on cigarettes. There are several kinds ofnicotine replacement products that provide small amounts of thesubstance. These can help people stop smoking.

A drug to fight depression has proved effective for many smokers.Depression is the mental condition that causes extreme sadness andhopelessness. The anti-depressant drug is called Zyban. It does notcontain nicotine. The drug works by increasing levels of thechemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine produces feelings ofpleasure.

There is evidence that people who have suffered from depressionare much more likely than other people to smoke. The same is truefor people who have brain disorders such as schizophrenia. Doctorssay these people can think better and feel better when they aresmoking. It also is much harder for them to stop smoking than it isfor other people.

(MUSIC)

VOICE TWO:

We have some other ideas to help you stop smoking. The AmericanCancer Society says there is not just one right way to stop. It saysone method or a combination of methods may be successful. Theyinclude attending self-help programs or following directions in abook. The group says any way to stop smoking that is legal, moraland effective is worth trying.

To stop smoking, you should carefully plan your actions for atleast one week. Try to stay away from people and situations thatmight trouble you. Do not go to public places where people aresmoking. If you drink alcohol, you probably will need to stopdrinking temporarily. Many people lose their inner strength whenthey drink alcohol.

VOICE ONE:

Many experts say it is best to stop smoking completely. Even onecigarette can make you a smoker again. In the first week or twowithout cigarettes, you probably will feel terrible. You may beangry all the time or you may feel sad. You may have a headache oryour stomach may feel sick.

Do not lose hope. If you stay away from tobacco, those feelingswill go away in a few weeks. Tell yourself that you will be happieras a non-smoker. Tell yourself that nicotine should not control yourlife.

VOICE TWO:

Move around as much as possible. Go for a quick walk or a run atleast two times a day. Walking or running will make you breathedeeply. This will help clear the nicotine from your body. Also, whenyou have the urge to smoke, you could chew gum or eat a piece offruit or vegetable instead.

For a long time, you will continue to have periods when youreally want a cigarette. Yet these times will come less often. Oneday, you will recognize that you have won the struggle againstsmoking.

(MUSIC)

VOICE ONE:

This SCIENCE IN THE NEWS program was written by George Grow.Cynthia Kirk is our producer and our engineer is Dwayne Collins. I'mSarah Long.

VOICE TWO:

And this is Bob Doughty. Join us again next week for more newsabout science in Special English on the Voice of America.