What is smoking cessation?

To quit smoking. Smoking cessation lowers the risk of cancer and other serious health

problems. Counseling, behavior therapy, medicines, and nicotine-containing products, such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays, may be used to help a person quit smoking.

What are the 5 As of smoking cessation?

The 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) summarize all the activities that a

primary care provider can do to help a tobacco user within 3−5 minutes in a primary

care setting. This model can guide you through the right process to talk to patients who

are ready to quit about tobacco use and deliver advice.

Medications to help you quit smoking

Your local drug store stocks several nicotine replacement products over the counter. These

include patches, lozenges and gum. Other products, like pills, inhalers and nasal sprays,

need a doctor’s prescription. The patch: Once a day, you apply a small, latex patch on your upper body skin. It delivers a steady dose of nicotine. This makes it a good choice for heavy smokers. Potential side effects:

 Skin rash

 Allergy

 Sleep problems or unusual dreams

 Racing heartbeat

Lozenges: Candy-like lozenges are great for a quick fix of nicotine. You place the lozenge

in your mouth. It may take five to 10 minutes to feel the effect. Lozenges should dissolve

within 30 minutes. Lozenges also may satisfy the need to keep your mouth busy so you’re

not tempted to smoke. Potential side effects:

 Nausea

 Hiccups

Gum: Nicotine gum starts to work within five to 10 minutes — if you use it correctly. It comes in different flavors and two doses. Gum works only if you follow the instructions and use the proper dose. Potential side effects:

 Hiccups

 Nausea

 May stick to dentures

Inhalers: The inhaler is a plastic tube similar to the size and shape of a pen. When you take

a puff, it instantly releases nicotine. It simulates the act of smoking. But you don’t inhale.

Potential side effects:

 Coughing

 Throat irritation

Nasal spray: Nasal sprays are similar in size and shape to allergy or congestion nasal

sprays. Yet, you shouldn’t inhale the spray in your sinus cavities. Instead, you let the spray

sit in your nostril. Nasal sprays are easy to use. And they quickly send nicotine to your

bloodstream. Nasal sprays work best for heavy smokers who get strong cravings. Potential

side effects:

 Nasal irritation

 Runny nose and watery eyes

 Can harm children and pets

Chantix (Varenicline): Chantix (Varenicline) is a prescription medication taken as a pill,

twice a day. It’s the most effective single product to help you quit smoking. And it doesn’t

contain nicotine. It cuts cravings by acting like nicotine on the brain.

Chantix (Varenicline) binds to the nicotine receptors in your brain. It blocks the receptors, so smoking a cigarette won’t be as satisfying. It also triggers some of the same reward effects of nicotine. This helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Potential side effects:

 Nausea

 Vivid dreams

 Intestinal gas   

Zyband (Bupropion): Zyband (Bupropion) is a prescription medication taken as a pill. Like

Chantix (Varenicline), it doesn’t contain nicotine. It works by blocking nicotine receptors in

your brain. Potential side effects:

 Insomnia

 Dry mouth

 Mild hand tremors

Know your smoking behavior

Before you put on a patch or chew some gum, take a close look at your smoking habits.  I

usually recommend people start with a patch and use gum or lozenges for intense cravings that the patch can’t handle also suggested:

 Trying another product if you’re not successful with the first one — or two.

 Trying combinations of products if you’re having intense cravings.

Fight cravings on all fronts

Whichever route you take:

 Talk to your doctor about your plans to quit. Especially if you’re considering

medications, using more than one nicotine replacement product or have other health

problems.  

 Get extra help. According to the National Cancer Institute, pairing nicotine

replacement therapy with counseling sessions doubles your chances of success.

 Get free counseling by calling one of these quit lines:

o The National Quitline: 1-800-QUIT NOW or text QUIT to 47848 to get smoke-

free text messages.

o National Cancer Institute: 1-877-44U-QUIT

Remember, quitting smoking offers significant health benefits — no matter how long you’ve

been smoking. Within hours of kicking the habit your circulation improves. And within just

weeks of quitting your lung function improves. Keep it up, and within one year you heart

disease risk is 50% less.

Currently, five agents have been approved by the FDA for smoking cessation: four nicotine replacement preparations (nicotine gum, transdermal nicotine patches, nicotine nasal spray, and nicotine inhaler) and sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride.