John Kelly, M.D.

Quitting smoking

The health benefits of quitting smoking are well-known for smokers, their families and their co-workers. Although quitting smoking is difficult, many former smokers have been successful in putting down their cigarettes once and for all.      These steps will help smokers quit the habit:

Get ready
•     Set a quit date.
•     Review your past attempts to quit. Think about what worked and what did not.
•     Once you quit, don’t smoke, not even a puff!

Get support and encouragement
You have a better chance of being successful if you get help.
•     Tell family, friends and co-workers that you are going to quit, and request their support.
•     Get individual, group or phone counseling. This doubles your chances of success.
•     Talk to your healthcare provider.

Learn new skills and behaviors
•     Try to distract yourself from urges to smoke.
•     Change your routine.
•     Do something to reduce your stress.

Get medication and use it correctly
Medication can help you stop smoking and lessen the urge to smoke.
•     Nearly everyone who is trying to quit smoking can benefit from using medication.
•     The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved seven medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms/the urge to smoke:
     1.     Nicotine gum—over-the-counter
     2.     Nicotine patch—over-the-counter and
          by prescription
     3.     Nicotine lozenge—over-the-counter
     4.     Nicotine inhaler—by prescription
     5.     Nicotine nasal spray—by prescription
     6.     Bupropion (Zyban®)—by prescription 
     7.     Varenicline (Chantix®) —by prescription.
•     All of these medications will at least double your chances of quitting.
•     Medication can help with nicotine cravings and withdrawal, but medication won’t completely stop withdrawal symptoms.
•     Ask your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of these medications.
•     Bupropion, also known as Zyban, helps to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Bupropion can be used safely with nicotine replacement products.
•     Varenicline, also known as Chantix, eases nicotine withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if the user starts smoking again.
•     Smokers usually set a date to quit smoking, then begin treatment with Zyban or Chantix one week before quitting smoking.
•     Carefully read the information and follow the instructions on the medication package.
•     Do not drive or use heavy machinery until you know how medication affects you.

Be prepared for relapse
Most relapses occur within the first three months after quitting. Don't be discouraged if you start smoking again. Remember, most people try several times before they finally quit.

     For more information on quitting smoking, visit smokefree.gov.
     John T. Kelly, M.D., is Chief Medical Officer of
Lifeclinic International, which manufactures blood pressure and weight monitors located in many trucking locations. Dr. Kelly was previously Chief Health and Medical Officer of Union Pacific Railroad. Dr. Kelly can be contacted at JKelly@lifeclinic.com.