Quitting smoking is difficult because the nicotine in cigarettes causes feelings of happiness, is "as addictive as heroin or cocaine" and spurs nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you quit, according to the American Cancer Society's "Guide to Quitting Smoking." Only about 4 percent to 7 percent of smokers can quit without medical help or psychological assistance from others. However, the American Cancer Society reports that there are many good ways to quit smoking that raise the success rate to 25 percent to 33 percent.
Significance
Quitting smoking is important despite how difficult it is, according to the American Cancer Society. Your blood pressure and heart rate declines within 20 minutes of quitting. Within three months, your lung function and blood circulation improves. Ex-smokers also have a much lower risk of heart disease, lung cancer and premature death. Male smokers live 13.2 fewer years than non-smokers; female smokers live 14.5 fewer years than non-smokers.
Expert Insight
You are twice as likely to quit smoking and never resume smoking if you participate in a nicotine replacement program and receive psychological help, the "Guide to Quitting Smoking" says. You should begin a nicotine replacement program on the day you quit, according to Harvard Health Publications' "Four Ways to Quit Smoking" report. The best nicotine replacements include nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, nicotine lozenges, nicotine nasal spray and nicotine patches.
Potential
The best quitting smoking psychological programs involve group or one-on-one counseling, the American Cancer Society says. Your chances of quitting increase if the counseling lasts longer and is more intense. Make sure a group leader has been trained in helping smokers quit, and attend a program with at least four 15- to 30-minute sessions over two weeks. Nicotine Anonymous groups that are similar to Alcoholics Anonymous groups exist in many communities.
Accessibility
It's easy to find an effective quitting smoking program because all 50 states had free telephone-assistance programs in 2009. "People who use telephone counseling are twice as likely to stop smoking as those who don't get this type of help," according to the American Cancer Society. Smokers also increase their chances of quitting if they have friends and family members who are trying to quit at the same time or are encouraging them to quit.
Medicine
A new prescription drug called varenicline doubles the chances that you will stop smoking, according to the American Cancer Society. The drug helps smokers fight nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which include anger, anxiety, depression, dizziness, irritability and sleeping problems. Varenicline also fights nicotine addiction by reducing smokers' feelings of happiness.
Warning
Numerous stop-smoking programs have no evidence of success. The American Cancer Society advises people to avoid hypnosis, acupuncture, low-nicotine and low-tar filters, herbs, tobacco lozenges, electronic cigarettes, and lip balms and lollipops with nicotine.
