Dear Friends:
A recent study published in the
scientific journal, Addiction, reports that cigarette smoking is
associated with an increased severity of gambling, most particularly in
compulsive gamblers who are participating in a gambling treatment program.
Smokers agreed that they had little control over their gambling. They were
more likely than non-smokers to be taking psychiatric medications and they
experienced more psychiatric symptoms, especially anxiety, compared with
non-smokers. My take on this is that smoking and gambling are both
addictive and compulsive behaviors. Both can ruin the bliss of freedom to
be productive, rather than self destructive.
All smoking is a gamble, isn't it?
One in five smokers develops chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
and the risks of heart attack, stroke, and seven cancers, as well as other
diseases such as macular degeneration, osteoporosis, and peripheral
vascular diseases which are much higher in smokers than in non-smokers.
Virtually all smokers die at a younger age than non-smokers, often more
than 10 years, depending upon the age of starting smoking and the intensity
of smoking throughout their lifetime.
I can accept that all of life is a
gamble and sometimes taking chance adds jest to life. But there is no joy in the
bondage of tobacco addiction and the threat of loss of quality of length of
life.
I'll be in touch next month.
Your friend,
