About quitting smoking and nicotine replacement therapy

  Quitting smoking is not easy, and some people try several times before succeeding

How do people quit smoking?

Quitting smoking is not easy, and some people try several times before succeeding. There are many ways to quit smoking. For example, some have been successful by stopping "cold turkey," by taking part in the Great American Smokeout®, or by using other methods.

There’s no single best way to quit. Quitting for good may mean using many methods, including step-by-step manuals, self-help classes or counseling, toll-free telephone-based counseling programs, and/or using medicine (see next question). Smokers may also need to make changes in their daily routine to help them break their smoking habits.

What is nicotine replacement therapy?

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are medicines that help decrease or stop a smoker’s withdrawal symptoms by providing controlled doses of nicotine without the other harmful chemicals of cigarette smoke. NRTs are available as patches, gums, inhalers, nasal sprays, or lozenges. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved all of these products as smoking cessation aids. Patches, gums, and lozenges are available "over-the-counter," while inhalers and nasal sprays require a doctor’s prescription.

These products work by helping smokers control their physical responses as they quit; for best results, smokers should use NRTs in combination with behavioral change programs that are designed to help smokers break their psychological (mental) dependence on cigarettes. For more information on such programs, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Not everyone can use nicotine replacement therapy. People with certain medical conditions and pregnant women should use it only with a doctor’s supervision. It is always a good idea to get your doctor’s input and support when you make the decision to quit smoking.

The most effective time to start NRT is at the beginning of an attempt to quit. Many smokers ask if it is possible to start a program of nicotine replacement while you are still smoking. There is some research being done with smokers using NRT while still smoking, but the results are still too early to say for certain if this is dangerous to your health. The most important thing is to make sure that you are not overdosing on nicotine, which can have effects on your cardiovascular system. It is safest to be under a doctor’s care if you wish to try smoking and using NRT while you are tapering down your cigarette use.

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