Aging Backwards Tuesday Tips #59: The Smoking Gene

Scientists at the University of Michigan have discovered that people who get a "buzz" the first time they smoke a cigarette have a certain gene variant that is lacking in people who cough, choke and get nauseated from that initial smoke. The people with this gene are most likely to become regular smokers, according to the journal Addiction. I won't bore you with all the reasons why smoking is harmful, but I will mention that smoking is contrary to aging backwards. Studies have proven that smoking ages your skin. So, what can you do if you're one of those people who is a "natural smoker?" Here are some tips for quitting.

1) Visit the CDC. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a whole section devoted to helping people quit the habit.

2) Buddy up. Studies show that people who quit together have a better chance of succeeding than those who go it alone.

3) See your doctor. Smoking is an addiction, but your doctor has tools to help you overcome that addiction.

4) Choose a quit date. Many people have successfully quit smoking and they recommend picking a date to quit and sticking to the date. It gives you time to prepare mentally for the challenge ahead.

5) Remember the mind-body connection. When you think you can't quit, remember that half of all adult smokers have quit, according to the CDC, so you can too.

Taking one day at a time, or even one hour at a time, can help you successfully quit an expensive habit that is dangerous to your health.