Smoking cessation is the action leading towards the discontinuation of the consumption of a smoked substance, mainly tobacco, but it may encompass cannabis and other substances as well.

Research in Western countries has found that approximately 3-5% of quit attempts succeed using willpower alone (Hughes et al, 2004). The British Medical Journal and others have reviewed the evidence regarding which methods are most effective for smokers interested in breaking free of the smoking habit, and concluded that

Nicotine dependence is most effectively treated with a combination of drugs and specialist behavioural support…

An even better chance of success can be obtained by combining medication and psychological support (USDHHS, 2000). Medication or pharmacological quitting-aids that have shown evidence of effectiveness in clinical trials include medical nicotine replacement patches or gum, the tricyclic anti-depressant nortriptyline, bupropion (Zyban, or Quomem in some countries), and the nicotinic partial agonist, varenicline (Chantix in the U.S. and Champix elsewhere).

Smoking cessation services, which offer group or individual therapy can help people who want to quit. Some smoking cessation programs employ a combination of coaching, motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and pharmacological counseling.

Few smokers are successful with their very first attempt. Many smokers find it difficult to quit, even in the face of serious smoking-related disease in themselves or close family members or friends. A serious commitment to arresting dependency upon nicotine is essential. The typical effort of a person that finally succeeds is the seventh to fifteenth try. Each attempt is a learning experience that moves them that much closer to their goal of eventual permanent freedom from smoking.

Some studies have concluded that those who do successfully quit smoking can 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.

Major depression may challenge smoking cessation success in women. 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.

A U.S Surgeon General's report includes tables setting forth success rates for various methods, some of which are listed below, ranked by success rate and identified by the Surgeon General's table number.

Quitting programs combining counseling or support elements with a prescription for Bupropion SR (Zyban/Wellbutrin) found success rates were increased to 30.5 percent, (Surgeon General's Table 25).

Quitting programs involving 91 to 300 minutes of contact time increased six month success rates to 28 percent, regardless of other quitting method included [Surgeon General's Report Table 13, page 59]

Quitting programs involving 8 or more treatment sessions increased six month success rates to 24.7 percent (Surgeon General's Table 14, page 60)

High intensity counseling of greater than 10 minutes increased six month success rates to 22 percent whether added to any other quitting method, nicotine replacement, or cold turkey [Surgeon General's Report Table 12, page 58]

A physician's advice to quit can increase quitting odds by 30 percent to ten percent at six months [Surgeon General's Report Table 11, page 57]

Seven percent of those who used over-the-counter nicotine patch and gum products quit for at least six months

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This definition is part of a series that covers the topic of Smoking - How to Quit Smoking or Stop Smoking. The Official Guide to Smoking - How to Quit Smoking or Stop Smoking is Nancy Philpott. Nancy Philpott, R.N., Certified Hypnotist, and Health Coach believes the power to dispel fear, eliminate self-defeating habits, seize opportunity, and transform our destiny is waiting within each of us. Nancy, a contributing author to the #1 Best Selling book series Wake Up…Live the Life You Love, has more than 30 years experience as a health coach helping individuals transform their health and their lives. Nancy is convinced both your life and health can positively transform instantly, dramatically, and irrevocably if you have the courage to recognize and respond to your “Wake Up Call ” when it arrives.

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