Administrator Alice

Clove Cigarettes or Kreteks and Bidis

Here is a question that I was recently asked:

Alice,
I smoke clove cigarettes which aren't like regular cigarettes. Clove cigarettes aren't bad for me, are they?

Clove cigarettes may also be called kreteks and are imported from Indonesia. They contain tobacco, shredded cloves (a spice) and other additives. When tested, they have been shown to deliver more nicotine, carbon monixed, and tar than regular cigarettes. These are NOT safer then regular cigarettes as some people may believe. In fact, research shows that smoking kreteks or cloves will increase your risk for lung serious lung injury especially for those who have asthma or respiratory infections. Research from Indonesia shows that regular clove or kretek users will have a 13-20 time risk for abnormal lung function compared to a nonsmoker.

Bidis (pronounced "bee-dees") are hand-rolled cigarettes imported mainly from India and other Southeast Asian countries. They can be flavored in cherry, chocolate, etc. Tobacco companies may misrepresent that they have less tobacco then a regular cigarette, however, they have been shown to have highter concentrations of nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide than regular cigarettes.

Please look the local resources on this site for more assistance and/or search your own state for ways to get help with quitting.

In health,
Alice

Administrator Alice

Pregnant women who smoke are usually highly motivated to quit but their partners, friends and family may hinder their efforts if they continue to smoke around them. Men can really help their partners give up smoking during pregnancy and remain smoke-free.. and the best support they can give is to give up smoking themselves. Pregnancy is an ideal time for both parents to try to kick the addiction and couples are more likely to succeed if they make a joint attempt.

Dear Anonymous:

Dear Moms, I can hear your concern for your babies in your feelings about the withdrawal that you have heard they might experience. Babies and Moms experience not having nicotine in their system very differently. Mom's experience cravings and other withdrawals symptoms. We don't know exactly what the baby feels, but we do know that nicotine in a baby's system is a toxin and also reduces the amount of oxygen that the baby's developing lungs and organs need. Research shows that babies will be healthier if their mom's don't use tobacco.
If you have any questions about your own feelings of withdrawal or want information about quitting I would encourage you to contact me, I would like to help. Until then go for a walk, change your activity or call a friend for some support are all things that can be of help for withdrawal. Administrator Alice

Hello to bizzybee

hello bizzybee,
I am so glad you asked a question that many mom's have. Doctors that have studied the affects of smoking on babies during pregnancy have found that quitting smoking is the most important thing a mom can do to help her baby grow and mature. Carbon monoxide and other chemicals from cigarettes get into the baby's blood. They can harm the baby and limit the baby's growth. Enjoy your time with baby so close to you, Alice