Despite countless medical studies and years of education, many smokers are still hazy on the risks of their deadly habit and the benefits of quitting. A new survey conducted by the American Legacy Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare of 900 smokers found grave misunderstandings such as: Myth:  A smoker and a non-smoker have about the same chance of developing lung cancer. More than a third surveyed think that developing lung cancer depends mainly on a person’s genetic makeup. Fact:  A smoker, on average, has more than 10 times the risk of getting lung cancer than a non-smoker. Myth:  Nicotine leads to major health problems like cancer and lung disease. As many as 60% of those surveyed thought nicotine caused emphysema, cancer and heart attacks. Fact:  Nicotine, while addictive, is not the deadly culprit in cigarettes. There are more than 4,000 chemicals and 69 known carcinogens in tobacco smoke that cause health-related problems. Myth:  Nicotine gums and lozenges are just as addictive as cigarettes. Three out of four people surveyed wrongly believe or are unsure whether the nicotine in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products is as habit-forming as the nicotine in cigarettes. Fact: NRT products such as the gum, patch and lozenge deliver nicotine in a way that is designed to break nicotine addiction and gradually wean off smokers. Myth:  Quitting “cold turkey” is the most effective path. 72% of people surveyed thought quitting smoking came down to willpower. Fact:  Only three to five percent of smokers who quit “cold turkey” are successful in the long-term. Smokers who use NRT products such as nicotine gum, patch or lozenge can double their chances of success. Myth:  It takes years to see the cardiovascular benefits from quitting smoking. More than one-third wrongly believe their heart attack risk drops a year or more after quitting. Fact:  A smoker’s heart attack risk drops just three months after quitting.