Giving up can be hard, but you don't have to carry the burden of quitting on your own. It has been shown that you are more likely to quit if you get the right support. Whichever method you choose, there are clear benefits from quitting and plenty of support to help you. So what's stopping you from stopping?
Stop Smoking Services
One way to get support is to use a Stop Smoking Service. These can offer you free advice specific to your individual needs together with meetings, which may be on a one-to-one basis or group sessions.
NHS Smoking Helpline
Tel: 0800 169 0 169
http://www.smokefree.nhs.uk/
QUIT
0800 00 22 00
www.quit.org.uk
There are also treatments available that can help you to stop smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapies
Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are available on prescription as well as over the counter.
Nicotine is a drug that affects the areas of the brain which produce 'feel good' chemicals. NRTs help you to withdraw from this addiction without all the other harmful chemicals in a cigarette.
NRTs are available in a number of different forms, such as patches, gum, nasal spray, lozenges, microtabs and inhalators. A trained healthcare professional will help you to choose the one which suits best your smoking habits and lifestyle and will keep in close touch with you as you slowly decrease the amount you use (usually over a period of 12 weeks).
NRT is not licensed for use in children but individual clinicians may use it for a young person over the age of 12.
Prescription drugs
Prescription drugs are usually offered to smokers who have tried other methods. There are two options at present but it must be remembered that your doctor may know of medical reasons why you could not be prescribed it.
Zyban
Zyban (Buproprion) which is taken for a maximum of 8 weeks. It works by reducing the craving for nicotine. The dosage has to be carefully followed and if the attempt to stop smoking is unsuccessful, further treatment will not be funded for 6 months.
Champix
Champix (Varenicline) which is taken for 12 weeks. It works by mimicking the effect of nicotine in the body and blocking the feel-good effect if a smoker does have a cigarette. The dosage must be carefully followed. A maintenance dose may be given for a further 12 weeks after completing the initial course.
Neither of these tablets can be used for people under 18 years old.
Other therapies
Other therapies that may work for some people but don’t have clinical tests to prove their effectiveness include acupuncture, hypnotherapy and laser treatment.