Can't Quit Smoking? It May Be In Your DNA

New Study Identifies More Than 200 Genes That Distinguish Those Who Were Successful At Quitting

(CBS)  Donna Grissom has tried everything.

"Over the years, I tried the patches, gum," she says, adding that she failed every time. But now, scientists say "quitting smoking" is less about determination and more about DNA, CBS News correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reports.

In a study released Monday, scientists identified more than 200 genes that distinguish successful quitters from the unsuccessful. Eighty percent of smokers who will try to quit this year will fail.

"Only one in four people use drugs to help them. We could get better success if smokers would use what is out there," says Dr. Nancy Rigotti of Harvard Medical School.

Grissom is. She's taking a newly approved drug called Chantix. It works by attaching to neurons in the brain, blocking the pleasure sensation of smoking.

"My urge did go away. The cravings weren't as much," Grissom says.

But even on Chantix, half the quitters relapse after a year. Scientists are researching another drug called Nic-Vax ... as in vaccination. The series of shots are designed to prevent nicotine from entering the brain and causing addiction.

"They don't get the pleasure they have normally experienced," says Dr. Dorothy Hatsukami of the University of Minnesota.

---

Only On The Web: Tobacco researcher Dr. Dorothy Hatsukami talks about the difficulties of quitting smoking.

---

After 20 years of smoking and trying to quit, Ken Kleinpaste joined the Nic-Vax trial to give it one last shot.

He hasn't smoked in seven months.

"I can smell and breathe better," he adds.

Scientists hope the new information about the genes that help us stop smoking could help doctors find the best way to make it stick. After all, quitting is easy. Many smokers have done that hundreds of times.

---

To learn about ways to quit smoking, you can go to:

StopSmokingDoctors.com

Palisadesmedical

Chantix

Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use And Dependence


© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Add a Comment See all 18 Comments

by lily_ayanami April 2, 2007 9:05 PM PDT

i'm a bit dubious about there being a genetic reason why some people can't quit smoking. it's far too specific and makes for an easy excuse. i will, however, believe if said genes make a person more prone to addictions.

Reply to this comment

by gygyjerry-2009 April 2, 2007 10:28 PM PDT

I smoked for over 45 years....I've been quite now for over 4 years.
I used the nicitene patch for about two weeks.
Without the patch ....I dont think I would have been able to make it....try the patch...the patch...the patch..then pray.

Reply to this comment

by trueprogress April 3, 2007 2:39 AM PDT

Smoking is the pits.
The movies should ban all smoking .

I doubt that second hand smik kills however, I had a dog who lived with my uncle sho smoke. My uncle is dead, bu the doge is dling fine. so

Reply to this comment

by luckygirl042 April 3, 2007 5:42 AM PDT

Well, I might have believed it was in my genes 5 years ago before I quit. I smoked for 41 years. I tried everything, patches, gum and hypnosis. When I ended up with pneumonia on top of bronchitis and could not breathe I went to the doctor who wanted to admit me to the hospital. Being justifyingly terrified of hospitals (having worked in the health care field for many years) I just went home, got some nicorette gum and made up my mind I wanted to live. I have worked with people with end-stage COPD, emphasema, and lung cancer in Physical Therapy, and it's pretty horrible. I got addicted to the gum, and it took me a year to get off of that, but the doctor said it was still less dangerous than inhaling all that smoke. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I blame the chemical laden and highly addictive tobacco, not
my genes. I'm clean and "smober" now for almost 5 years.

Reply to this comment

by luckygirl042 April 3, 2007 5:45 AM PDT

My husband has smoked all his life, before I quit I smokedthe whole time our kids were growing up, and neither one of them ever smoked, so I'd say it's not hereditary.

Reply to this comment

by pianoman42 April 3, 2007 6:49 AM PDT

But do quitters have a better quality of life? My Dad smoked 40 - 50 a day and we kids kept clear of him when he had one of his quitting efforts going. He died at 86.

Reply to this comment

by peaceforusa April 3, 2007 7:01 AM PDT

I have tried to quit everyday for the past 34 years. I have finally been smoke free for 6 weeks with just a little hiccup in the midst with Chantix. This is by far the best tool on the market to quit right now. I am determined to not let this horrible addiction control me any more, but what a struggle. The cravings drive me insane. I am mostly a mellow easy going person, but I have found that I can be the most insensitive, meanest BiT*h I have ever known and I don't like me like that. I don't know if it is hereditary (almost everyone in my family smoked) and I know it isn't just about changing habits, because I have done that so many times I can't count them anymore. These researchers really need to find a cure. It is not just a habit, it is a disease. The government doesn't want to lose the tax revenue they gain through cigarettes, but they need to be banned. The health care systems want us to quit stating increased healthcare costs, but they don't push the issue of banning this disease with our government because they gain so much money for all the illness they treat. So it is a lose lose situation for the person with this disease. You have to either fight with every bit of physical and psychological strength you can muster and then some, or you continually give in to the disease. I want to fight to win, but one day is as hard as the next, it never seems to gets easier. Even with Chantix, I fight off the cravings that last for hours at a time. We need a CURE!

Reply to this comment

by army_girl-2009 April 3, 2007 8:38 AM PDT

I was just wondering how much this shot cost?? I've been smoking for five years and trying to quit for four. I haven't found any thing that works for me but I have to quit befor this summer before i go to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to finish my military training.

Reply to this comment

by grumpas April 3, 2007 10:26 AM PDT

When you get scared enough...a little cold hard fear works wonders! Take my word for it! I used to smoke 3 packs of Marlboro 100's per day. I lit one up smoked it and then lit up another one. I tried cutting down but that did not work. It got to where I could not breathe. I could see myself 20 years down the road being on oxygen or dead. I quit cold turkey! Those were the days when there weren't all the aid's there are today. It wasn't easy I won't tell you it was. The first week I had 1 herbal cigarette a day. They were so terrible I couldn't take much of them. After six months I was able to breathe again. Maybe that was my salvation...I improved after quitting. That was almost 30 years ago! I have urges and sometimes dream at night I am smoking again. But, I don't make the mistake so many make in thinking I can smoke one and get away with it. So, it can be done! If you want to do it bad enough.

Reply to this comment

by hmacosta April 3, 2007 11:19 AM PDT

I've interviewed thousands of addicted smokers. For about half of them, staying off cigarettes is epual to the difficulty of climbing the 2 inch thick rope 25 feet up to the top above the high school gym floor. They just can't do it no matter how much they want to. A few always climb it easily and the rest do it with varying effort. Will power puts your hands on the rope, your genes provide the capacity for climbing it. We are our genes.

Reply to this comment

by gangesdak April 3, 2007 11:50 AM PDT

Sob stories! Cant't quit smoking. Father is to blame, mother is to blame, me the prince/princess! I quit smoking with no difficulty at all. No patches, no gradual stepping. Just walked away. Never complained.

Reply to this comment

by michellem99-2009 April 3, 2007 11:55 AM PDT

I read the story and I tell you that is not true.My father is on oxygen becaused he smoked. He don't now. Grumpus said it. Thank you. My dear friend smoked for years. My friend is 55. He has diabetes type 2, 3 heart attacks, lung problems etc.,caused by his smoking for years. I know and to see him everyday do his meds. because of cigerettes is not pretty. He quit cold turkey . He did not use them quit smoking aids. He made up his mind and quit.I have never allowed smoking in our home. Once a person quits they should never smoke. I hate 2rd hand smoke as it a killer just as smoking is. Smoking does damage to the body. Smoking is an addiction but you have the power to beat it. It is call will power. You can quit cold turkey. You will save money by not buying smokes.I do care. Thank you for not Smoking. This my say.

Reply to this comment

by minminmin-2009 April 3, 2007 12:29 PM PDT

I smoked for 10 years, then quit and quit and quit. I got really good at quitting; had a lot of practice. Finally tho, I quit for good and it was one of the best things I've done in my life. I don't think it matters how you quit, or what causes you to have trouble with it. The take home message here is "QUIT!" However you can...I went cold turkey, but if you need an injection, or patch, or gum, just do it.

Reply to this comment

by sevenveils April 3, 2007 12:36 PM PDT

"Cigarettes are the worst item made legal possible. Just give everyone a gun and let them randomly fire and kill people. Alcohol is next worse, but just for driving mainly. This is what lobbyists do for you.

They kill you by making laws, just like GW Bush has made laws to make all his friends richer and the masses poorer." - billysmith6

That's right billy, it's also time to push marijuana legal reform laws

Reply to this comment

by jefitzgerald April 3, 2007 6:40 PM PDT

Now the scientist are saying that the ability to quit smoking is connected to DNA. It is also reported that smoking causes cancer so when will the experts connect cancer to DNA. Pianoman42 said his uncle smoked but still lived to 86 so where was the cancer. I believe that cancer is connected to DNA and some people will never get cancer because of there DNA makeup.

Reply to this comment

by kiddo88 April 4, 2007 1:10 AM PDT

it certainly does not help that the amount of nicotine per cigarette has increased 10% in the last few years...Nicotine % itself should be regulated! Capped! Anything! Effing ridiculous that its illegal to smoke medicinal pot when a substance as addictive as heroine is not only legal, but heavily taxed (who makes a profit off the industry? the gov't)

Reply to this comment

by viviangreg April 4, 2007 1:07 PM PDT

I guess why is it that laser therapy to quit smoking is not being widely reported on, since it is the most efficient and successful way to quit without suffering neither from quitting, nor from side effects. Labs are foreseeing huge profits from pills that will do more harm than good to consumers, that is why they are investing hefty sums of money in advertising and "reports". Unfortunately, there is no "Laser Therapy Industry" to pay in order to inform the public about its amazing success... but if you are trying to quit, give it a chance, you'll be glad you did.
Vivian

Reply to this comment

by rf35 April 5, 2007 12:13 PM PDT

Where can I get information on laser therapy to quit? I've tried unsuccessfully multiple times. Pills, patches, gum...nothing. As soon as the prescription runs out, I'm back to getting the uncontrollable cravings. And I can't afford to buy the OTC aids...they cost twice as much as the cigarettes! I%u2019m willing to try just about anything at this point.

Reply to this comment

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[lily_ayanami]

i'm a bit dubious about there being a genetic reason why some people can't quit smoking. it's far too specific and makes for an easy excuse. i will, however, believe if said genes make a person more prone to addictions.

[gygyjerry-2009]

I smoked for over 45 years....I've been quite now for over 4 years.
I used the nicitene patch for about two weeks.
Without the patch ....I dont think I would have been able to make it....try the patch...the patch...the patch..then pray.

[trueprogress]

Smoking is the pits.
The movies should ban all smoking .

I doubt that second hand smik kills however, I had a dog who lived with my uncle sho smoke. My uncle is dead, bu the doge is dling fine. so

[luckygirl042]

Well, I might have believed it was in my genes 5 years ago before I quit. I smoked for 41 years. I tried everything, patches, gum and hypnosis. When I ended up with pneumonia on top of bronchitis and could not breathe I went to the doctor who wanted to admit me to the hospital. Being justifyingly terrified of hospitals (having worked in the health care field for many years) I just went home, got some nicorette gum and made up my mind I wanted to live. I have worked with people with end-stage COPD, emphasema, and lung cancer in Physical Therapy, and it's pretty horrible. I got addicted to the gum, and it took me a year to get off of that, but the doctor said it was still less dangerous than inhaling all that smoke. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I blame the chemical laden and highly addictive tobacco, not
my genes. I'm clean and "smober" now for almost 5 years.

[luckygirl042]

My husband has smoked all his life, before I quit I smokedthe whole time our kids were growing up, and neither one of them ever smoked, so I'd say it's not hereditary.

[pianoman42]

But do quitters have a better quality of life? My Dad smoked 40 - 50 a day and we kids kept clear of him when he had one of his quitting efforts going. He died at 86.

[peaceforusa]

I have tried to quit everyday for the past 34 years. I have finally been smoke free for 6 weeks with just a little hiccup in the midst with Chantix. This is by far the best tool on the market to quit right now. I am determined to not let this horrible addiction control me any more, but what a struggle. The cravings drive me insane. I am mostly a mellow easy going person, but I have found that I can be the most insensitive, meanest BiT*h I have ever known and I don't like me like that. I don't know if it is hereditary (almost everyone in my family smoked) and I know it isn't just about changing habits, because I have done that so many times I can't count them anymore. These researchers really need to find a cure. It is not just a habit, it is a disease. The government doesn't want to lose the tax revenue they gain through cigarettes, but they need to be banned. The health care systems want us to quit stating increased healthcare costs, but they don't push the issue of banning this disease with our government because they gain so much money for all the illness they treat. So it is a lose lose situation for the person with this disease. You have to either fight with every bit of physical and psychological strength you can muster and then some, or you continually give in to the disease. I want to fight to win, but one day is as hard as the next, it never seems to gets easier. Even with Chantix, I fight off the cravings that last for hours at a time. We need a CURE!

[army_girl-2009]

I was just wondering how much this shot cost?? I've been smoking for five years and trying to quit for four. I haven't found any thing that works for me but I have to quit befor this summer before i go to Fort Jackson, South Carolina to finish my military training.

[grumpas]

When you get scared enough...a little cold hard fear works wonders! Take my word for it! I used to smoke 3 packs of Marlboro 100's per day. I lit one up smoked it and then lit up another one. I tried cutting down but that did not work. It got to where I could not breathe. I could see myself 20 years down the road being on oxygen or dead. I quit cold turkey! Those were the days when there weren't all the aid's there are today. It wasn't easy I won't tell you it was. The first week I had 1 herbal cigarette a day. They were so terrible I couldn't take much of them. After six months I was able to breathe again. Maybe that was my salvation...I improved after quitting. That was almost 30 years ago! I have urges and sometimes dream at night I am smoking again. But, I don't make the mistake so many make in thinking I can smoke one and get away with it. So, it can be done! If you want to do it bad enough.

[hmacosta]

I've interviewed thousands of addicted smokers. For about half of them, staying off cigarettes is epual to the difficulty of climbing the 2 inch thick rope 25 feet up to the top above the high school gym floor. They just can't do it no matter how much they want to. A few always climb it easily and the rest do it with varying effort. Will power puts your hands on the rope, your genes provide the capacity for climbing it. We are our genes.

[gangesdak]

Sob stories! Cant't quit smoking. Father is to blame, mother is to blame, me the prince/princess! I quit smoking with no difficulty at all. No patches, no gradual stepping. Just walked away. Never complained.

[michellem99-2009]

I read the story and I tell you that is not true.My father is on oxygen becaused he smoked. He don't now. Grumpus said it. Thank you. My dear friend smoked for years. My friend is 55. He has diabetes type 2, 3 heart attacks, lung problems etc.,caused by his smoking for years. I know and to see him everyday do his meds. because of cigerettes is not pretty. He quit cold turkey . He did not use them quit smoking aids. He made up his mind and quit.I have never allowed smoking in our home. Once a person quits they should never smoke. I hate 2rd hand smoke as it a killer just as smoking is. Smoking does damage to the body. Smoking is an addiction but you have the power to beat it. It is call will power. You can quit cold turkey. You will save money by not buying smokes.I do care. Thank you for not Smoking. This my say.

[minminmin-2009]

I smoked for 10 years, then quit and quit and quit. I got really good at quitting; had a lot of practice. Finally tho, I quit for good and it was one of the best things I've done in my life. I don't think it matters how you quit, or what causes you to have trouble with it. The take home message here is "QUIT!" However you can...I went cold turkey, but if you need an injection, or patch, or gum, just do it.

[sevenveils]

"Cigarettes are the worst item made legal possible. Just give everyone a gun and let them randomly fire and kill people. Alcohol is next worse, but just for driving mainly. This is what lobbyists do for you.

They kill you by making laws, just like GW Bush has made laws to make all his friends richer and the masses poorer." - billysmith6

That's right billy, it's also time to push marijuana legal reform laws

[jefitzgerald]

Now the scientist are saying that the ability to quit smoking is connected to DNA. It is also reported that smoking causes cancer so when will the experts connect cancer to DNA. Pianoman42 said his uncle smoked but still lived to 86 so where was the cancer. I believe that cancer is connected to DNA and some people will never get cancer because of there DNA makeup.

[kiddo88]

it certainly does not help that the amount of nicotine per cigarette has increased 10% in the last few years...Nicotine % itself should be regulated! Capped! Anything! Effing ridiculous that its illegal to smoke medicinal pot when a substance as addictive as heroine is not only legal, but heavily taxed (who makes a profit off the industry? the gov't)

[viviangreg]

I guess why is it that laser therapy to quit smoking is not being widely reported on, since it is the most efficient and successful way to quit without suffering neither from quitting, nor from side effects. Labs are foreseeing huge profits from pills that will do more harm than good to consumers, that is why they are investing hefty sums of money in advertising and "reports". Unfortunately, there is no "Laser Therapy Industry" to pay in order to inform the public about its amazing success... but if you are trying to quit, give it a chance, you'll be glad you did.
Vivian

[rf35]

Where can I get information on laser therapy to quit? I've tried unsuccessfully multiple times. Pills, patches, gum...nothing. As soon as the prescription runs out, I'm back to getting the uncontrollable cravings. And I can't afford to buy the OTC aids...they cost twice as much as the cigarettes! I%u2019m willing to try just about anything at this point.