Discussing Smoking Cessation with Dr. Joi Johnson-Weaver

Most people know that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, but did you also know that smoking has long lasting effects throughout the entire body? April Watts, multi-media personality from Magic 95.9 sits down with Dr. Joi Johnson-Weaver, Family Physician at GBMC at Owings Mills, to discuss the health effects of smoking and tips for quitting.

Dr. Johnson-Weaver says that smoking has negative health effects from head to toe. She notes that in addition to causing lung cancer, smoking can lead to:

• Premature aging (think skin problems and wrinkles)
• Vision problems
• Oral and throat cancers
• Osteoporosis, a decrease in bone density
• Heart disease; smoking accelerates a person’s risk of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries
• Bladder cancer

As for lung cancer, Dr. Johnson-Weaver says that this disease is one of top cancers among men and women in the United States, and about 90% of cases are due to smoking.

“In the practice of primary care medicine, our goal is prevention,” adds Dr. Johnson-Weaver. “Primary care physicians will address smoking, the health risks, and ways to stop smoking.”

Dr. Johnson-Weaver talks about the tools smokers have to support them in quitting including nicotine patches and gums and oral medications that have proven successful for many people.
Dr. Johnson-Weaver also discusses:

• Screening for lung cancer — guidelines for screening, who is a candidate, and when insurance covers lung cancer screening.
• Risk factors for lung cancer
• Vaping — is it safer than smoking? Can it help long-term smokers quit? Is vaping a gateway to cigarette smoking for young people?
• Marijuana smoking — is it safe? Does it cause lung cancer?
• The effects of second hand smoke

“When it comes to smoking and quitting, I tell my patients that it’s about health first – love yourself; love your body.”