Help for Your Smoking Habit

If you're a smoker, stopping smoking is the most important step you can take to increase the length and improve the quality of your life, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.

Quitting smoking isn't easy, but it can be done. For most people, the best way to quit is some combination of medicine, a method to change personal habits and emotional support.

Here is a review of quit-smoking aids, from the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Nicotine patches

These patches provide a measured dose of nicotine through the skin. As the nicotine doses are lowered by switching patches over a course of weeks, the tobacco user is weaned off nicotine.

Patches can be purchased without a prescription. Several types and different strengths are available. 

Nicotine gum

Nicotine gum is a fast-acting form of replacement. It's available without a prescription and comes in 2 mg. and 4 mg strengths. Chew the gum slowly until you notice a peppery taste. Then, place it against your cheek, chewing it and placing it next to your cheek off and on for about 20 to 30 minutes.

Nicotine nasal spray

Prescription nasal spray delivers nicotine quickly to the blood stream. The spray immediately relieves withdrawal symptoms and offers a sense of control over nicotine cravings. Because it is easy to use, most smokers report great satisfaction.

Nicotine inhalers

The prescription nicotine inhaler is a plastic tube with a nicotine cartridge inside. When you puff on the inhaler, the cartridge provides a nicotine vapor. A nicotine inhaler is the closest thing to smoking a cigarette.

Nicotine lozenges

Nicotine lozenges are available in two strengths, 2 mg and 4 mg. Smokers determine which dose to take based on how long after waking up they normally have their first cigarette.

Zyban

This prescription antidepressant comes in an extended-release form that reduces symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. It can be used alone or together with nicotine replacement.

Chantix

An average of better than one in five smokers who used Chantix quit smoking during six clinical trials involving more than 3,600 chronic cigarette users, the FDA said. Participants had averaged 21 cigarettes daily for 25 years. People who used Chantix were more successful in kicking the habit than those who used Zyban, the agency added. In February 2008, the FDA required the drug's manufacturer to warn that Chantix may cause changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal ideation, and actual suicidal behavior.

Quit lines

People who use telephone counseling in addition to a smoking-cessation aid stop smoking at twice the rate of those who don't get combination of help. Find a quit line by calling the ACS at 800-227-2345.