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.
Trials have shown that an effective method for quitting smoking
is cognitive behaviour therapy or CBT. For example, the QUIT FOR
LIFE Programme (David Marks, 1993, 2005) has produced quit rates
that are 5-6 times higher than quitting by willpower alone
(Marks & Sykes, 2002). Another notable example is the Allen Carr
method (combining CBT with hypnotherapy) which has shown a
remarkable success rate of 53% at the one year stage (Hutter et
al., 2006)
While some smokers are successful with their first attempt, 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. A serious
commitment to arresting dependency upon nicotine is essential.
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.
Tobacco smoking has a laxative effect, smoking cessation may
lead to constipation, however this is by no means inevitable and
is easily treated.
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.
Information for smokers
trying to quit Modalities >>
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Smoking cessation
Statistics
Information for smokers trying to quit
1. Modalities
2. Alternative techniques
Information for healthcare professionals
1. Screening
Nicotine replacement therapy
1. Nicotine patch
2. Inhaler
3. Nasal spray
4. Gum
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