5 scientifically proven most effective ways to quit smoking.
Quitting smoking is never an easy journey, but science has proven there are ways to double your chances of success. From financial encouragement and love to nicotine replacement therapy – the following five measures can help smokers break this addictive habit most effectively.
To help smokers quit, scientists have researched methods to help them quit. In particular, studies have shown that 90% of smokers who try to quit will start smoking again despite their efforts.
Here are some scientifically proven methods for quitting smoking that are effective and take the least amount of time:
Financial incentives
Financial gain might be your best bet—in the literal sense, you risk losing your own money.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine points to some promising early results. In a CVS Caremark program involving over 2,500 participants, the study showed that those who received financial incentives to quit smoking had some significant success, at least after the 12-month trial.
Participants had to bet $150 USD. They could win an additional $650 USD if they successfully quit smoking on their own. Smokers also received advice on quitting, participated in a free counseling program, and were provided with nicotine replacement therapy such as chewing gum. 52.3% of them successfully quit smoking.
The next group to successfully quit smoking will receive $800 (no deposit required) and other resources. But only 17.1% of smokers successfully quit with a larger payout without the risk of losing their money.
Love
According to a study in the internal medical journal JAMA, love helps smokers quit. Half of the men participating in the study successfully quit smoking if their partner also quit, compared to only 8% who succeeded if their partner did not. Similarly, half of the women would quit if their partner quit. Pressure from their partner seems to have helped them quit smoking.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Vapors, nasal sprays, lozenges, and nicotine gum that deliver nicotine slowly are designed to help smokers overcome cravings and initial withdrawal symptoms. These therapies appear to support quitting. Over 150 different tests on these devices have shown that smokers quit 50-70% more often when using these therapies. No single method is more effective than another, nor is any device inherently better or worse at assisting.
The study also warns that heavy smokers may need to use more products than light smokers. Starting one of the nicotine replacement therapies before you actually decide to quit smoking will be more effective. Smokers who use nicotine replacement therapies in combination with smoking cessation medications also have a higher success rate.
Prescription addiction treatment medication
Talk to your doctor if you want to use prescription smoking cessation medication, but some medications offer some success, especially when used in conjunction with nicotine replacement therapy. Other options include the anti-smoking medication Chantix. This medication targets nicotine recognition in the smoker's brain. This means the smoker doesn't experience the euphoria associated with smoking, reducing the feeling of well-being. Some studies suggest that using this type of medication can be twice as effective at quitting smoking compared to not using medication.
Resolve
Quitting smoking is considered one of the hardest bad habits to break. If smokers are determined to quit, it significantly reduces the risk of lung cancer and many other types of cancer. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, and lowers the risk of lung diseases. Smoking accelerates skin aging, and studies have shown that the number of people who don't want to date smokers increases, so quitting smoking can also improve your life.
