I can always tell when a parent of a child I'm treating is a smoker. The examination room is just filled with smoke - not too different from the experience you'd have if you walked into a bar or restaurant that still allows smoking. My style is to ignore it until the very end of the visit - sneaky, I know! I just forge ahead trying to not inhale too much air. I have to admit, there have been times I've had to find excuses to leave the room to get a few smoke-free breathes of air!!

TUESDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- Your ability to kick the smoking habit may have a lot to do with your genetic make-up, a new study finds.

Researchers have found gene patterns that influence a smoker's response to specific smoking-cessation treatments. The researchers identified several genetic variations that appear to indicate the likelihood of success or failure with nicotine replacement therapy and the smoking-cessation drug bupropion (Zyban).

CHICAGO (AP)- The federal government's new advice to doctors for helping smokers quit recommends the drug Chantix, which has recently been linked with depression and suicidal behavior. The new guidelines mention the psychiatric risks but also say the popular Pfizer Inc. drug is the most effective at helping people get off cigarettes.

The guidelines mention other options, too, and highly recommend combining counseling and medication. But doctors are encouraged to talk to all smokers who want to quit about trying medication.

Many people resist quitting smoking because they believe they will gain weight. They figure why give up one bad habit only to pick up another. Although it is true that weight gain often follows giving butts the boot, it is possible to both control your weight and be smoke free.