Archive for September, 2009

Free Nicotine Patches Increase Short-Term Smoking Quit Rates

September 15th, 2009

Nicotine replacement therapy has really changed tobacco control efforts in a good way. It is clear that if smokers use nicotine replacement therapy longer, they have a better success rate. The researchers completed the study from 1995-2003 at the George W. Comstock Centre for Public Health Research and Prevention in Washington County. They compared quit rates and abstinence from smoking before and after free nicotine patches were offered to smokers who participated in the “Stop Smoking for Life” program. During the program, study participants received six weeks of patches and four weeks of group counselling, free of charge.

The Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund Program financed the nicotine patches used in the study. After the researchers gave away nicotine patches, they saw a 37 percent increase in involvement in the smoking cessation program, indicating free patches attracted more people looking to stop smoking. They also reported a 27 percent increase in short-term quit rates. 

The ideal cessation program includes attending a counselling program, in addition to using pharmacotherapy products such as nicotine patches or nicotine gum. It is believed that, for those looking to quit smoking, it is also a good idea for them to discuss the best methods to quit with their doctor, who can also prescribe non-nicotine-based drugs to help cessation attempts. 

People know that no matter how long smokers have smoked, when they quit, it prolongs their lives. If the smokers have thought of quitting, it is definitely worth trying nicotine patch because it can only improve their lives. Offering free nicotine replacement patches attracts more participants to cessation programs and increases short-term quit rates, which the Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has added to the menu of options available to assist cigarette smokers in quit attempts. 

A study was carried out to compare quit rates and continuous abstinence from smoking before and after free nicotine patches were offered to smokers who participated in the Washington County (Maryland) Health Department’s “Stop Smoking for Life” group behavioural cessation program. After free Nicotine patches were offered, the quit rates upon completion of the program increased from 38% to 65%. In conclusion, adding free nicotine patches to a smoking cessation program was associated with increased program enrolment and significantly increased short-term—smoke quit rates. The rapid reversion to smoking in the group who received free nicotine patches could potentially be obviated if participants extend their use of nicotine patches after the free 6-week supply is exhausted. 

Nicotine patches, hence prove to be one of the most sought after method for short term quit smoking by people. However, as mentioned earlier, if this is continued well after the trial period, the quit smoking rates among smokers will increase substantially.

Discover the Best Way to Quit Smoking

September 11th, 2009

While the market is flooded with innumerable ways and methods to help a person quit smoking, there are still many people who relapse or go back to smoking cigarettes. Why? The reason behind this short coming is very simple. Smoking is an addiction that is caused by the mind. Though smoking is both psychological and physiological need, it’s the mind or the psychology of the person that creates the craving and the body listens to it. 

Habits are created out of a mental state of a human being. Most of the addictions are habitual and habits are caused due to the mind and thus smoking can be completely eradicated from a person’s life only when there is a change in the way a person thinks or on the mental frame work of the person. 

When taken a closer look at most of the alternatives that are available in the market,  to help a person quit smoking , are products that help in reprogramming the mind of the person than the body. Using a person’s mind ,as the best way to quit smoking needs great resolve, but can be easily achieved. 

To get rid of the fatal habit, one has to first ensure that he or she is really determined to quit smoking and also understand the reason behind why they started to smoke at all. This reasoning out has to be penned down and put in a place where the person can see it everyday or whenever they want to see. One can also write down all the harmful effects and fold them like a cigarette roll then place them in the pocket where he or she normally places the cigarette pack. 

Set the quitting date. Ensure that when making this transition it should be stress free as possible. For this, one can also visit a doctor and ask for some advice, this helps in conditioning oneself and lets a person know what to expect during the course of quitting smoking. At this juncture, support from family, friends and co workers should be sought for. This is more to do with the emotional aspect and also to bear with the withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking. 

 One has to focus and keep the mind fit and busy by regular exercising, try as much as possible to avoid the thought of smoking and if the feeling of stress creeps in , which in turn leads to thinking to cigarettes ,then one has to find something different that he or she can do for a relief from that feeling. 

Psychologically, the mind is fond of relating, so use it to your advantage other than going ahead and grabbing a cigarette, grab a gum to chew on. After all, smoking is partly an oral fixation and the mind is primary when looking for the best way to quit smoking, use it efficiently and properly. 

Despite the gums and patches, the greatest success in putting stop to cigarette smoking is all but a choice. So one has to make a strong decision and stick to it. It is always better to make the choice as quickly as possible and work genuinely towards keeping up that important decision and never let go.