Ways of quitting smoking

When I was in the UK a few weeks ago a new treatment to assist people to stop smoking hit the headlines when it was announced that the drug Varenicline had just been approved for use on their National Health Service (NHS). Varenicline, which is sold under the brand name Champix, is taken twice a day and blocks cravings and withdrawal symptoms by acting on the same brain receptors as nicotine. It also has the added advantage of reducing the satisfaction a smoker will get from further cigarettes if they have a relapse.

There are a range of treatment options available to smokers to assist them to quit, including nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), bupropion (Zyban), psychological support, individual support and, of course, plain old willpower. All have different success rates and Champix’s results in clinical trials make it particularly attractive to smokers who have experienced difficulty quitting in the past. The treatment has been shown in trials to double success rates at 12 weeks among smokers trying to give up, compared to other treatments such as nicotine chewing gum and Zyban.

Over 19,000 Australians die every year as a result of tobacco-related causes, which amounts to about 80 percent of all drug-related deaths in this country. One in two current smokers will die prematurely from smoking-related diseases if they do not stop, with a quarter of those dying in middle age.

In the UK Champix comes as a course of tablets lasting 12 weeks. There is a range of side-effects associated with use, including nausea, headaches, insomnia and unusual dreams, but according to the clinical trials these caused very few people to cease the treatment. Interestingly, Champix is the first prescription-only, non-nicotine medicine specifically designed to help people stop smoking. The drug was approved by the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee at the end of last year. Its success rate after one year is 22.5 percent.

Almost half of all smokers try to quit each year by using willpower. Unfortunately, only 3 percent of those are still smoke-free after a year. Nicotine replacement therapies (including nicotine chewing gum, skin patches, lozenges, nasal sprays and “inhalators”) can increase that success rate to almost 16 percent, and the drug Zyban to 17 percent. Whatever treatment option is used, it is important that it be provided in conjunction with counselling and support. This support aims to strengthen the smoker’s motivation and to advise on ways to avoid, escape from or minimise urges to smoke with simple practical strategies. This can be provided by a GP or a self-help group.

It is important to remember that even though Champix is an exciting new treatment, it is not a failsafe cure. Nicotine is a highly addictive drug and many smokers wean themselves off it only with great difficulty after many attempts.

Remember: if you do not want any negative consequences, do not use the drug and, no matter how many times you have used a substance, never be blasé.