A new survey shows half of all smokers regularly drink coffee and smoke at the same time. While smokers may say coffee drinking goes hand in hand with their cigarette, many are unaware that smoking actually affects the way their body processes caffeine. A recent survey conducted by the marketers of Commit Cappuccino shows that while smokers drink almost twice as much coffee as non-smokers, an overwhelming 86 percent surveyed are unaware that they may need to cut back their caffeine intake when trying to quit.
Studies show that smoking causes smokers to metabolize caffeine faster. As a result, smokers need to ingest more caffeine to get the same effects of nonsmokers. So when a smoker tries to quit, they may end up with more caffeine in their system, and may need to reduce their caffeine intake when trying to quit. In fact, the survey shows that fewer than one in 10 smokers (9 percent) know how smoking affects the way their body processes caffeine. Additionally, about one-third of smokers (about 32 percent) do not know that too much caffeine in the blood can be harmful.
According to the survey, almost three quarters (71 percent) of smokers enjoy the flavor of coffee. With the introduction of Commit's cappuccino-flavored lozenge, smokers now have a new flavor of lozenge to conquer their addiction to cigarettes. Like other Commit flavors, Commit Cappuccino provides low, safe doses of therapeutic nicotine to calm withdrawal symptoms in a new, smooth, coffee flavor. The Commit Cappuccino lozenge helps smokers quit successfully by calming nicotine cravings, as well as soothing other withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and irritability, allowing smokers to wean off nicotine gradually and safely.
"It is important smokers understand that they don't need to give up coffee when trying to quit, but by drinking less coffee, they may help their body adjust to life without cigarettes, and avoid caffeine side effects," said Saul Shiffman, PhD, researcher and professor in the departments of psychology and pharmaceutical science at the University of Pittsburgh and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare spokesperson. "The tie between smoking and coffee- drinking is clear and the new Commit Cappuccino lozenge is a great option to help a smoker quit in a safe, effective way. It calms nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while giving smokers the coffee flavor they enjoy without the caffeine."
Other survey findings:
· Among the adults surveyed, smokers drink an average of 2.8 cups of coffee per day, while non-smokers drink 1.5 cups.
· Almost half (about 43 percent) of smokers report that drinking coffee makes them want to have a cigarette.