Smoking cessation (commonly known as quitting, or kicking the habit) is the effort to stop smoking tobacco products. Nicotine is a psychologically and physically addictive substance, and quitting smoking is commonly considered to be difficult. Psychological and pharmacological aids are available to help people quit smoking, although success rates are relatively low. As part of the wider tobacco control movement, there have been numerous advertising campaigns, smoking restriction policies, tobacco taxes, and other strategies to encourage people to quit smoking. Tobacco use is a major cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.[citation needed]
Outline
Smoking cessation services, which offer group or individual therapy can help people who want to quit. Most smoking cessation programs are a combination of coaching, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and pharmacological counseling. Programmes in the UK are run under by the NHS, and use a clear and clinically tested protocol.
One effective way to assist smokers who want to quit is through a telephone quitline which is easily available to all. Professionally run quitlines may help less addicted smokers but those more severely addicted to cigarettes (ie anyone who smokes within half an hour of waking) should seek out their local smoking cessation services, where they exist, or assistance from a knowledgeable health professional, where they do not. The scientific evidence shows that best results are achieved when support and medication are used simultaneously. Quitting with a group of other people who want to quit is a great way of getting support.
A serious committment to arresting a dependency upon smoking nicotine is essential no matter how you choose to go about quitting. Medication, such as a nicotine replacement therapy product or Zyban/Wellbutrin, have been clinically proven to double a quitter's chances of stopping successfully versus placebo. Interestingly, in real-world cessation surveys - outside clinical studies - those quitting without medications are generating quitting rates equal to or better than those relying upon pharmaceutical quitting aids (see Doran, CM et al 2006 and Pierce, John P et al 2002).
Although a significant proportion are successful, many people fail several times. Many smokers find it difficult to quit, even in the face of serious smoking-related disease in themselves or close family members or friends. The best predictor of smoking cessation success is past quit attempt(s).
Studies have concluded that those who do successfully quit smoking often gain weight. "Weight gain is not likely to negate the health benefits of smoking cessation, but its cosmetic effects may interfere with attempts to quit." (Williamson, Madans et al, 1991) Therefore, drug companies researching smoking-cessation medication often measure the weight of the participants in the study.
[edit] Women and Smoking Cessation
Major depression may influence smoking cessation in women because depression is twice as common among women as men, the history of depression and negative affect have been associated with smoking treatment failure, quitting smoking is especially difficult during certain phases of the reproductive cycle, phases that have also been associated with greater levels of dysphoria, and subgroups of women who have a high risk of continuing to smoke also have a high risk of developing depression. Since many women who are depressed may be less likely to seek formal cessation treatment, practitioners have a unique opportunity to persuade their patients to quit. [1]