Zyban ( Bupropion )
This compound , also an antidepressant , triples the quit rate of smokers from 8 to 20% a year in trials . It is taken after counselling , 150mg once a day for three days and then twice a day for six weeks . Start one week before the quit date and if not effective after seven weeks stop . The NHS will pay for only one trial per patient .
Dry mouth is common and in 1 out of 1000 users it may cause a fit .
Nicotine replacements
Double the quit rates but one must not smoke with them as too much nicotine can be absorbed.
Nicotine patch applied to a clean hairless part of the skin , releases nicotine slowly and can be used for 8to 20 weeks with gradually decreasing doses They may rarely cause a rash or vivid dreams . Those who smoke more than 15 a day take the higher dose 22mg patch which must be changed daily for four weeks and then smaller dose for the next four weeks.
Nicotine gum is chewed a few times and then the pack is inserted between the cheek and teeth and left there for several hours .
Nicotine inhaler can be used for upto 6 months , 16 cartridges per day and then reducing every 12 weeks ..
Nicotine nasal spray max five times an hour in each nostril , upto 40 times a day but may cause dependence.
Four one hour sessions with the hypnotist asking the patient to close eyes and go into a deep sleep and then implanting suggestions such as when you smoke it will taste horrible . Most people feel they are not hypnotised but find after a few months they have quit smoking .
higher stress
lower arousal levels
higher cancers of mouth , lung - 20 times more than non smokers
other cancers - stomach , kidney , pancreas , cervix , uterus, bladder , colon , leukemia
Cancers associated with smoking
more heart disease
earlier dementia
lung damage and emphyesma
and they can give these diseases to non smokers via the smoke