[Smoking and Crohn's disease: cessation strategies]

Smoking is a chronic disease that causes a wide variety of health problems, especially respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Tobacco smoking is the main environmental factor linked to the pathogenesis and clinical course of Crohn's disease. However, smoking cessation is often not included as part of the treatment of this disease. In the last decade, major advances have been made in our understanding of the physiopathology and treatment of nicotine addiction. Several medical resources are currently available, ranging from a brief warning in the consulting room out patient clinic to drug therapies aimed at nicotine receptors to achieve smoking cessation. Gastroenterologists should provide firm medical advice and evaluate the need for adjuvant treatments to achieve smoking cessation in patients with Crohn's disease.