More than 70% of US smokers say they want to quit, but between 4% and 7%  succeed on any given attempt if they try it without help. Quitting smoking can be tough, but we have come up with some ways you can double your chances of quitting and staying quit. To boost your odds of quitting smoking for good, use 2 or more of these ideas!

Think about using medicines to help you quit

Research has shown that using a quit-smoking medicine can double your chances of success. These drugs include bupropion (Zyban^®), varenicline (Chantix^®). Nicotine replacement in the form of the patch, gum, nasal spray, inhaler, or lozenge can also double your chances.

• Bupropion is a prescription drug that helps reduce cravings. It contains no nicotine.

• Varenicline is a prescription drug that helps lessen nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It also lowers the feelings of pleasure people get from smoking.

• Nicotine replacement products such as the patch, gum, lozenge, inhaler, or nasal spray can help with unpleasant physical withdrawal symptoms. This gives you the chance to focus on changing your smoking habit or routine.

Talk to your doctor or health care provider about setting up a medicine plan that will work for you. Depending on your smoking habits and prior attempts to quit, your doctor may recommend using one or more of these medicines. It is likely, though, that your doctor will not want you to use varenicline with nicotine replacement products. In early tests, when varenicline was given along with NRT (nicotine replacement therapy), there were more unpleasant side effects than with varenicline alone.

For some patients, doctors may recommend using 2 forms of nicotine replacement at the same time. For instance, a patch is sometimes used along with the spray, gum, or inhaler to better control cravings. The patch gives a steady nicotine supply to control withdrawal, and the quick-acting form is used only when you have cravings.

If you've had a lot of trouble quitting, some doctors will prescribe bupropion to be used along with NRT. It will depend on your health, what other medicines you are taking, and the safety of using both at the same time. If you and your doctor choose this approach, remember that bupropion works best if it's started a week or 2 before you quit, and then NRT is started after your last cigarette.

Find out about support programs near you

The American Cancer Society can tell you about quit-smoking resources near you. These may include classes, support groups, Internet resources, or referrals to get help paying for medicine. It is important to have support from many different sources during your quit attempt. You will want your family, friends, doctors, and stop-smoking professionals to know about and support your efforts. Check the "Additional resources" section and call 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) for more information.

Use telephone counseling programs

As of 2008, all 50 states run some type of free telephone-based quit program, such as the American Cancer Society’s Quitline^® tobacco cessation program that links callers with trained counselors. You can get quitting strategies and support over the phone, at times that work well for you. Telephone counseling programs have been proven to double your chances of quitting for good.

Get self-help materials to plan and get through the quitting process

There are materials you can use to help you quit smoking, no matter where you are in the process. You can use the materials to learn how to prepare for your quit attempt, set up plans to help deal with cravings, and prevent relapse once you have quit. The self-help materials offer proven methods that are easy to follow and can keep your motivation high. The American Cancer Society's Break Away From the Pack series has been shown to double your chances of quitting and staying quit. These materials are available for anyone who is willing to quit smoking. For more information on Break Away From the Pack or other self-help materials from the American Cancer Society, call 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345).

For more details about any of these medicines and methods, see our Guide to Quitting Smoking, or give us a call.

General tips for quitting

Here are some tips to help you try to quit:

• Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about which medicines are right for you.

• Write down your reasons for wanting to quit. Keep the list with you to read when you need a reminder.

• Throw away all of your cigarettes, lighters, and ashtrays.

• Think of all the things you usually do while you smoke. Then come up with other habits or activities you can do instead.

• Set a quit date and plan ahead to help deal with cravings.

• Tell your family, friends, and coworkers about your plans to quit.

• Have other things to put in your mouth rather than cigarettes, such as peppermints, carrot sticks, toothpicks, or cinnamon sticks.

• Stay busy.

• Think ahead, and avoid situations that always trigger an urge to smoke.

• Call your American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) for more information, ideas, and resources.

Additional resources

More information from your American Cancer Society

We have selected some related information that may also be helpful for you. These materials may be viewed on our Web site or ordered from our toll-free number.

• Child and Teen Tobacco Use

• Cigar Smoking (also available in Spanish)

• Cigarette Smoking (also available in Spanish)

• Guide to Quitting Smoking (also available in Spanish)

• Helping a Smoker Quit: Do's and Don'ts

• Questions about Smoking, Tobacco, and Health (also available in Spanish)

• Quitting Smoking -- Help for Cravings and Tough Situations (also available in Spanish)

• Smokeless Tobacco and How to Quit

• Women and Smoking (also available in Spanish)

National organizations and Web sites*

If you want to quit smoking and need help, contact one of the following organizations. Along with the American Cancer Society, other sources of patient information and support include:

American Heart Association & American Stroke Association
Toll-free number: 1-800-AHA-USA-1 (1-800-242-8721)
Web site: www.americanheart.org
Toll-free number: 1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653)
Web site: www.strokeassocation.org

American Lung Association
Toll-free number: 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-548-8252)
Web site: www.lungusa.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office on Smoking and Health
Toll-free number: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Web site: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/index.htm

National Cancer Institute
Toll-free number: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237)
Web site: www.cancer.gov

Nicotine Anonymous
Toll-free number: 1-877-879-6422
Web site: www.nicotine-anonymous.org

Smokefree.gov
(Online materials, including info on state telephone-based programs)
Toll-free number:1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669)
Web site: www.smokefree.gov

*Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.

No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) or visit www.cancer.org.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cigarette Smoking Among Adults—United States, 2000. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51(29):642–645. Available from: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5129a3.htm. Accessed September 24, 2008.

Diefenbacher LJ, Smith PO, Nashelsky J. What is the most effective nicotine replacement therapy? J Fam Pract. 2003;52:492-494.

Evins AE, Cather C, Culhane MA, et al. A 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study of bupropion sr added to high-dose dual nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation or reduction in schizophrenia. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007;27:380-386.

Fiore MC, Jaén CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update. Clinical practice guideline. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; 2008. Available at: www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/treating_tobacco_use08.pdf. Accessed November 13, 2008.

Hughes, JR. New treatments for smoking cessation. CA: Cancer J Clin. 2000; 50: 143-151.

Jamerson BD, Nides M, Jorenby DE, et al. Late term smoking cessation despite initial failure: An evaluation of bupropion sustained release, nicotine patch, combination therapy, and placebo. Clin Ther. 2001;23: 744-752.

Manufacturer's Product Information. Available at: http://www.pfizer.com/pfizer/download/uspi_chantix.pdf. Accessed October 17, 2007.

Rabius V, McAlister AL, Telch M, et al. Evaluation of the American Cancer Society’s Smokers’ Quitline. Presented at the 129th Meeting of the American Public Health Association, Atlanta, GA. October 2001.

Silagy C, Lancaster T, Stead L, Mant D, Fowler G. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002; CD000146.

Zhu SH, Anderson CM, Tedeschi GJ, et al. Evidence of real-world effectiveness of a telephone Quitline for smokers. New Engl J Med. 2002; 347: 1087-1093.

Last Medical Review: 10/20/2008
Last Revised: 11/14/2008