Stop Smoking Faq Article

How can you quit tobacco?

Quitting may seem overwhelming at first, but breaking it down can help. Below is a five-step checklist to help you quit:

Step 1: Get Informed Before starting your quit, read up about quitting. And since you're reading this now, you're already on the right path! Having friends, family or a support group to talk to, or a quitline to call, can make all the difference. The more you know about the quitting process and support options available to you, the better your chances of quitting can be.1

Step 2: Get a Plan Would you go on a road trip without a map? Probably not, and the process of quitting tobacco is no different. First, understand why you use tobacco, and identify your routines and triggers. Understanding this will help you create a plan for helping to manage cravings and choose the nicotine replacement therapy product that might work best for you.* As you develop your plan, set up milestones along the way to reward yourself — just like stops on a road trip. Common milestones could be 24 hours, one week, and one-month tobacco-free.1, 2

Step 3: Get Started Now that you have a plan and the information needed to quit, it's time to get started! When choosing a quit date, the sooner you start, the better. With your friends, family and support system cheering you on, you can do it!1

Step 4: Get Real Let's face it. Quitting tobacco — even with a support system and the help of nicotine replacement therapy — isn't easy. If you slip up, continue with your nicotine replacement therapy and work with your support system to better manage the trigger(s) that may have led you to using tobacco. Above all, keep going! Slip-ups happen, and quitting is hard, but each day you are tobacco-free, your cravings should get easier to manage.1

Step 5: Get There. For Good. By now, hopefully, you've been tobacco-free for a few months (or longer). You've formed new habits to help manage most of your triggers, and you may be enjoying the benefits of quitting. These benefits may include clearer skin, lower cholesterol, a stronger immune system, a lower risk of cancer and more. Stay strong, and quit for good! You've got this!3

What is nicotine dependency?

Nicotine is an addictive chemical found in tobacco products. When tobacco products are consumed, nicotine enters the bloodstream and travels to the brain. There, the nicotine binds to receptors, which stimulate the release of "feel-good" chemicals. Over time, these receptors become less sensitive to the effects of nicotine, causing consumers to need more nicotine to release the same amount of "feel-good" chemicals.4

Additionally, many people who use tobacco products develop strong emotional ties to their product(s) of choice. This means that users can associate tobacco use with certain places, times of day, emotional states (e.g., stress) and activities, making it harder to quit. Because of this, learning to develop new associations is an essential part of quitting successfully. It can be hard to break the psychological ties to smoking while also managing withdrawal symptoms, which is where nicotine replacement therapy can help.5

How does nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) work?

When first quitting tobacco, many people may experience withdrawal effects, such as anxiety, irritability and stress because they are no longer consuming nicotine and often underestimate how powerful these effects can be.5

NRT products help reduce cravings and withdrawal effects by delivering nicotine without the dangerous chemicals found in tobacco products. Rather than getting a rush of nicotine like you would with a cigarette, NRT products deliver nicotine in a steady stream. They are designed to make quitting easier by allowing people to focus on staying tobacco-free without burning out their willpower. Over time, NRT use is lessened until, eventually, users are nicotine-free.6

Studies show that people who use NRT while quitting tobacco are more successful than those who don't,5 and estimate that it can increase chances of quitting successfully by up to 70 percent.4

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What's the difference between NRT gum, lozenges and patches?

The three main FDA-approved categories of NRT products available without a prescription are chewing gum, lozenges and patches. It is important to follow the directions for use outlined on the package, unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider. Determining which product is best for you often depends upon your lifestyle and habits:

Gum: Nicotine gum can be used to help provide fast, on-the-go relief of cravings. When cravings hit, gum can be chewed until there is a tingling feeling, and then placed between your cheek and gums to help quickly relieve withdrawal effects.7

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Lozenges: Nicotine lozenges can be used to help provide more discreet relief of cravings. Lozenges are placed in the mouth like hard candy, where they slowly release nicotine as they dissolve.7

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Patches: Nicotine patches can provide 24-hour relief for cravings. Patches adhere to your skin and deliver a steady amount of nicotine over an extended period of time.7

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Each category of NRT products comes in varying strengths. The strength you begin with will depend on how often and the times of day you currently use tobacco. After you have successfully used the initial strength for a while, you can usually switch to a lower one. Consult your pharmacist or other healthcare provider if you have questions on which product and strength may be best suited for you.8

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Are NRT products safe?

NRT products — including gum, patches and lozenges — are safer than smoking. They are designed to provide a temporary source of nicotine, which can be reduced gradually over a period of time, helping make it easier to adjust to life without tobacco.9

NRT should not be used in combination with other products that contain nicotine. If you use tobacco products containing nicotine along with NRT products, the nicotine in your body can reach toxic levels.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only use NRT products on the advice of your health care provider. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine. This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known.

Ask a doctor before use if you have:

• heart disease, recent heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Nicotine can increase your heart rate.

• high blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase your blood pressure.

It is important to follow the directions for use outlined on the package, unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider, and to consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting NRT.10

This material is paid for and provided by GSK Consumer Healthcare.