Stop Smoking

Quitting smoking is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make.  Once you've made the choice, there are many ways to stop smoking.  Seek support from family and friends.  Talk to your doctor about quitting.  Many people find it very helpful to join support groups.  Avoid high-risk places and situations, which may trigger your smoking habit.  Replace old habits with new activities, that aren't linked with smoking.  It is very important to consider treatments that are specifically designed to help you quit.

Products to Help you Quit Smoking

Nicotine replacement products and other treatments can help you stop smoking.  They will help you to adjust to living without cigarettes.  Some nicotine replacement products are available without prescription, but it is best to speak to a health professional before starting a treatment regime.  Find out what is the best treatment for you.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy includes nicotine patches, gum, inhalers & tablets.  These help to reduce withdrawal symptoms, and support you through your transition period.  Natural therapies can also be used to help you to quit smoking.

Nicorette Patch

The Nicorette patch is a small patch that is applied to the skin, and slowly releases nicotine into the bloodstream.

The Nicorette patch is easy to use and provides a steady release of nicotine.  It is available in three different strengths.  The patch is applied when you wake up in the morning, and removed 16 hours later.  When you initially start using the Nicorette Patch, the highest strength should be used (15mg/16hr).  This is used for eight weeks, and after this time, the lower strength patch (10mg/16hr) is used.  Lastly, the lowest strength patch (5mg/16hr) is used for two weeks.

These different doses allow you to safely manage any withdrawal symptoms you have, as well as controlling cravings.  The amount of nicotine released into your body is decreased gradually, to help you cope with the changes occurring in your body.

Habitrol Gum

Habitrol alleviates unpleasant symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.  Chewing Habitrol gum releases small amounts of nicotine, which is a controlled way to satisfy the body's craving for nicotine.

Habitrol Gum is a flexible, convenient treatment for smokers who want to quit. Each pack contains 96 pieces of gum. Habitrol is available in either 2mg or 4mg strength, in two flavours (mint and fruit). For best results, follow the recommended chewing technique of chewing and 'parking' the gum in the side of the mouth. Chew between 8 and 12 pieces of gum daily, using the following chewing technique:

- Chew one piece of gum slowly until the taste becomes strong.

- Rest the gum between you gum and your cheek.

- Start to chew again when the taste has faded.

- Repeat chewing routine for about 30 minutes.

Nicotrol Gum

Nicotrol Gum is another product that aims to ease withdrawal symptoms, by providing your body with nicotine.

Nicotrol Gum should be used for long enough to help overcome your addiction on cigarettes. Usually, this will be at least 3 months. Then you can start to slowly reduce the amount of gum you consume. When you are only using 1 to 2 chewing gums each day, treatment can be stopped.

Use Nicotrol Gum between smoking episodes to extend smoke-free intervals.  Intend to reduce your smoking as much as possible.  You should try to quit smoking as soon as you feel ready, but no later than 6 months after starting your treatment.

Nicotrol Gum is available in 2mg and 4mg strengths. You should use the 2mg strength, unless you smoke 20 or more cigarettes in a day, in which case the 4mg strength should be taken.

The amount of Nicotrol Gum you chew each day depends on your former smoking habits. About 8-12 pieces per day, of either the 2mg or 4mg strength, will be enough. No more than 24 pieces should be used daily.

Nicorette Inhaler

The Nicorette Inhaler helps to control your cravings with a flexible dosage, and also works on the physical addiction associated with smoking.  It is designed to mimic the action of smoking a cigarette, by keeping your hands busy while you puff on the mouthpiece.  More than one cartridge a day can be used, depending on your requirements.  The inhaler should be used during smoke-free periods, such as in situations when you want to avoid smoking.  You control the dosage, as you can take as few or as many puffs as you need to get through the day.  The Nicorette inhaler is usually used for 16 weeks, and during this time, you should be slowly reducing your nicotine intake.  If after 6 weeks you have not reduced the number of cigarettes smoked each day, then you should seek professional advice.

Nicorette Microtab

The Nicorette Microtab reduces your desire to smoke, as well as combating unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.  It is a tablet that is placed under your tongue, and gradually absorbed into the body through the lining of your mouth.

Nicorette Microtabs are available in packets of 30 or 105 sublingual tablets.  One or two tablets should be placed under the tongue, every hour.  A maximum of 40 tablets can be used per day.  Treatment usually takes 16 weeks.  You should slowly reduce your dosage to 1-2 tablets per day, by the end of this period.

Nicobloc

Nicobloc is a natural treatment to help you quit smoking.  Nicobloc is applied to your cigarette filter, and blocks up to 99% of the nicotine and tar from cigarette smoke.  The filter does not change the taste or smoking experience.  An advantage of using this product is that there are no withdrawal symptoms to deal with, and lifestyle changes can be made gradually, rather than stopping smoking all at once.

Details of the recommended reduction programme are included inside the NicoBloc pack.

Nicobrevin

Nicobrevin is a nicotine-free medicine, which eases the withdrawal symptoms that are experienced when giving up smoking.  Nicobrevin comes in the form of odourless and tasteless capsules, which block your craving for cigarettes, improve breathing, and has a general calming effect.  Treatment with Nicobrevin is a 28-day course.

Support Products

In addition to specific stop-smoking products, it is essential that you include other treatments and supplements, to support your body while you are quitting smoking.

Some of the following are recommended to be used together with specific stop-smoking products:

- Vitamin B complex - to support your nervous system, during the stressful time of giving up smoking.

- Products containing relaxant herbs such as hypericum, passionflower and valerian, are excellent at providing relief from nervous tension and stress. Malcolm Harker Calmunurse or  Blackmores Tranquil Night

- Vitamin C - smokers require extra vitamin C to make up for its destruction by cigarette smoke.  You should take 500-1000 mg per day. Wagner Ester C 550mg

- Teeth Whitening it is highly advisable to use a teeth-whitening product, such as White Smiles, or Bedazzle Professional Teeth Whitening System; to remove stains caused by smoking.

- Anti-Oxidants- Essentially, they are substances that reduce, neutralize, and prevent the damage done to the body by free radicals. Our everyday exposure to our environment. In other words, eating, breathing, and going out in the sun all contribute to the process of oxidation, free radical formation, and the resulting damage that is caused to the cells of our bodies. Nutralife Enzogenol High Potency 

Helpful Links

Quit Smoking - everybody.co.nz

The Quit Group NZ - quit.org.nz

Action on smoking and health - ash.org.nz