For years researchers have looked for ways to understand why some people seem to become addicted to cigarette smoking with the first puff while others don't. Studies have focused on why certain individuals have an easier time breaking the bonds of smoking and how smoking cessation success rates could be improved. Researchers examined the influence of peers and the media on smoking and smokers. Many scientists have turned to the very essence of the individual in recent studies-the individual's genetic makeup. "Born to Smoke: Nicotine and Genetics" reveals the findings of some of the most up-to-date studies of the role genetics plays in smoking....

We all know that smoking can cause many health problems, including cancer, lung disease, and heart conditions. But what isn't as well known is smoking's connection to depression. "But Smoking Makes Me Happy: The Link Between Nicotine and Depression" describes what scientists know about this connection. Many people with depression also smoke. Nicotine's effects on the brain are similar to the chemical imbalances many researchers believe can trigger depression. What's more, treating depression can help someone stop smoking. Ultimately, the best way to avoid the link between depression and smoking? A lifestyle built on exercise, good diet, and a healthy social support system....

Everyone knows about nicotine and its effects on tobacco smokers. But did you know that there are 4,799 other substances that can be released in tobacco smoke? And like nicotine, many of those can have serious health consequences. "Thousands of Deadly Chemicals: Smoking and Health" introduces readers to many of the chemicals that are produced by a burning cigarette. Though tobacco additives are safe for human consumption, some can become potentially dangerous when burned. The effect of smoking on the lungs is well known. But as readers of "Thousands of Deadly Chemicals: Smoking and Health" will discover, the effects of smoking extend beyond the lungs. They involve the entire body. "Thousands of Deadly Chemicals: Smoking and Health" provides readers with the information necessary to make an informed decision about tobacco use....