Why should I quit smoking?

Smoking is a seriously dangerous habit that claims the lives of over 5 million men and women every year. Cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that causes major health problems such as cancers and diseases of the heart and liver. The majority of smokers are aware of the severe health repercussions that can arise from continuous, long term smoking but find the quitting process difficult to stick to. Fortunately, there are now a number of smoking cessation aids available to help users quit for good without leaving them craving for their nicotine fix. Champix is one popular method, and comes recommended by the World Health Organisation for male and female smokers above the age of 18.

Further help to ease nicotine addicts off cigarettes is available in the form of prescription medicinal aids, hypnotherapy and self-help groups. These smoking cessation options have varying success rates for each individual, which highlights the need for smokers to ascertain which treatment is most beneficial for them. Once you have stopped for good, you can add years to your life expectancy and reduce the chances of contracting serious illnesses and life threatening diseases.

Why should I use a smoking cessation aid?

By using smoking cessation aids you give yourself the very best chance of quitting and improving your health.

You can seek your doctor’s advice to learn more about the most suitable smoking cessation treatments available to you. When you quit smoking with smoking cessation treatments, you can live a healthier, smoke free life.

Giving up smoking

You may experience a number of withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking such as insomnia, irritability, decreased heart rate, weight gain and nicotine cravings. 60% of smokers who attempt to give up smoking relapse in the space of 3 months.

Nicotine is the substance contained within cigarettes. When you smoke, the majority of the nicotine is burned. However, it does release a sufficient enough dose to cause a psychological dependency which can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. This is where nicotine replacement therapy can prove helpful in the process of quitting smoking.

Quitting cold turkey

This method of quitting involves no smoking cessation treatment at all. The aim of col turkey is to wield yourself off cigarettes suddenly using only your will power as an incentive. Set a date to quit smoking and only use your restraint to follow it through to the end. Though a lot of people have showed this method can work, a large number of smokers suffer from withdrawal symptoms and can’t cope with the loss of nicotine.

Nicotine replacement therapy

There are many nicotine replacement therapy patches and gums available on the market which contain small amounts of nicotine. They are manufactured to give your body just a little amount of what it wants, and so to help relieve any nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This particular smoking cessation treatment has proven to be quite successful and works for many people. However, some people find that once they stop using the patches and gum they start craving nicotine again.

Zyban

This smoking cessation treatment was first made available 10 years ago and was originally created for depression. Those that took the drug quit smoking without consciously trying. Although it is successful, Zyban has caused controversy due to its addictive anti-depressive effects.

Champix

Champix is manufactured by Pfizer and was approved as a smoking cessation treatment for sale in the UK in 2006. Champix works more effectively Zyban and without causing addictive anti-depressive qualities. Users who took Champix to help with their smoking cessation experienced a 44% success rate as opposed to those who took Zyban who only had a 33% success rate.