This post was written by Caleb Hoppe, PharmD – Pharmacy Resident.
In the United States, there are nearly 500,000 deaths each year caused by cigarette smoking. It is the leading cause of death that can be prevented. Tobacco smoking has the largest effect on health by worsening arterial plaque and causing cancer and lung disease. The good news is smokers who choose to quit lower their risk of health issues as time goes on. All in all, choosing to quit can provide better odds for a healthier life.
Quit to reduce your risk
While there are many drawbacks to using tobacco products, the most common risks associated with smoking include:
- Death
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Lung disease (COPD/asthma)
- Pneumonia
- Diabetes
- Decreased bone health
- Pregnancy complications
- Sexual dysfunction
- Stomach ulceration
- Gum disease
- Eye disease
- Poor wound healing
Tools to quit smoking
If you’ve decided that this is the year you’re giving up tobacco, here are some helpful tools you can use in your smoking cessation journey.
Behavior changes
There are many active behavior adjustments you can make to your lifestyle to better support yourself while you quit smoking, including:
Seek counseling. Participating in counseling is a great way to get support and advice for quitting. You can choose individual counseling (in-person, virtual or by telephone) or group counseling.
Withdrawal education. Knowledge is power and knowing what to expect from nicotine withdrawal is key to quitting. Withdrawal symptoms are at their worst 1-2 weeks after quitting. Learn more about withdrawal from the National Cancer Institute’s withdrawal fact sheet.
Identify your triggers. Identifying and avoiding triggers that make you want to smoke can lead to a more successful quit attempt. Ways to avoid and/or cope with triggers include:
- Finding an outlet (exercise, work, etc.)
- Finding distractions (chewing gum, drinking water, taking up a new hobby)
- Making designated no-smoking areas (like your house, car, etc.)
- Staying positive—remember why you’re quitting and encourage and be kind to yourself
Manage your stress. Quitting is stressful! The stress of quitting alone may be weighing you down. To help better manage your stress, try stress-relief techniques like:
- Exercise
- Stretching
- Meditation
- Deep breathing
You can start these strategies before, during or after quitting. Counseling, for example, has shown benefits up to six months after quitting and check-ins at least every three months with a healthcare professional or counselor can help keep you accountable.
Medications
Various studies have found that combining medications and behavioral counseling give you the best chance to quit.
Prescription products
- Chantix® (varenicline) – a twice-daily pill to help you quit by working in the brain to prevent cravings.
- Zyban® (bupropion sustained-release) – a twice-daily pill to help you quit by working in the brain to prevent cravings, may also help with depression.
Nicotine replacement products
- Nicotine patch – a daily patch to reduce cravings. Can be used with other products listed below.
- Nicotine gum – chewing gum that can be used every hour (if needed) to reduce cravings. Be sure to ask the pharmacist about how to properly chew it.
- Nicotine lozenge – a throat lozenge (similar to a cough drop) that can be used up to 20 times daily to reduce cravings. Don’t eat or drink 30 minutes before or after using.
- Nicotine inhaler – an inhaler that can be used up to 16 times daily to prevent cravings. Requires a prescription.
- Nicotine nasal spray – a nose spray that can be used every hour (if needed) to prevent cravings. Requires a prescription.
Many of the above products are covered (partially or fully) through insurance making them affordable for most.
New Year’s is as great a time as ever to make a healthy lifestyle choice and cut out cigarettes. Check out Parkview’s Smoking Cessation offerings, ask your pharmacist and/or primary care physician which of the above therapies are right for you, and schedule your quit date!
References
- GBD 2019 Tobacco Collaborators. Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 [published correction appears in Lancet. 2021 Jun 19;397(10292):2336]. Lancet. 2021;397(10292):2337-2360.
- Anthonisen NR, Skeans MA, Wise RA, et al. The effects of a smoking cessation intervention on 14.5-year mortality: a randomized clinical trial. Ann Intern Med. 2005;142(4):233-239.
- Rigotti, NA. Benefits and consequences of smoking cessation. In: Post T, ed. UpToDate. UpToDate; 2023. Accessed December 13, 2023. www.uptodate.com
- Park, ER. Behavioral approaches to smoking cessation. In: Post T, ed. UpToDate. UpToDate; 2023. Accessed December 13, 2023. www.uptodate.com
- Rigotti, NA. Overview of smoking cessation management in adults. In: Post T, ed. UpToDate. UpToDate; 2023. Accessed December 13, 2023. www.uptodate.com
