Stop smoking

Smoking related illnesses are the largest single preventable cause of death in the Western World. A third of middle aged men die from such illnesses and the total cost to the NHS is in excess of £500 million per year. It can cause diseases ranging from cancer of the lung, to heart disease, bronchitis, emphysema, bladder cancer and oesophageal cancer to name but a few. Anybody who does smoke is not only harming themselves but is potentially harming others. Pregnant women, for instance, are harming their unborn child, and any children of smoking parents are far more prone to coughs, colds, ear infections, asthma and a whole range of conditions. There have been articles published in various medical journals outlining the very real dangers of passive smoking - the partner of somebody who smokes would appear to be at risk of the same diseases that the smoker is prone to.

Cigarettes contain the drug nicotine, which is highly addictive, and this is one of the factors which makes it very difficult to quit. For those that do successfully give up the social, financial and health benefits are enormous.

Why Quit?

A) Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer and other cancers, strokes, heart disease and many other illnesses.

B) Your breath smells better, you can taste food better, and the cough often reduces quite quickly!

C) Financial - a 20 cigarettes a day smoker, at an approximate cost of £3.50 per pack, will spend more than £1,200 per year - which is more than £100 per month in cigarettes - think what you could do with that!

D) You will help to reduce the chance of illness in people who are passively inhaling your cigarette smoke.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Proper scientific research has quite clearly shown that using some form of nicotine replacement, for instance nicotine patches, chewing gum or nasal spray, can double your chances of quitting. Nicotine patches, nasal spray or chewing gum are now available on prescription.

Zyban

There was a lot of media coverage when Zyban was released in the UK and many people were under the impression that this was some for of wonder drug. There are, though, no miracle treatments to stop smoking! Having said this Zyban does seem to be effective for a lot of people.

There are potential side effects and generally we would recommend people try Nicotine replacement before Zyban. The most serious side effect appears to be fits. This has occurred in about 1 in 1,000 patients. Many of the patients who have experienced fits have predisposing conditions like brain tumours, previous head injuries or they were taking other medication which also increased their chances of fits.

Other less serious but more frequent side effects include dry mouth, insomnia, gastric upsets, dizziness, depression, rash, fever, anxiety, sweating and headache.

If, following consultation with the doctor, you are put on Zyban then the usual dose is one tablet a day for 6 days, increasing to twice a day after a week provided there are no serious side effects. You would normally aim to try and stop smoking on about day six. The total length of the treatment course is eight weeks. During this treatment course you should see the nurse for further support and counselling.

Before you consider nicotine replacement or Zyban, please make an appointment with the nurse so she can fully explain the method and offer you further advice and support regarding quitting.

Tactics and Tips for Quitting

Preparation

Have your supply of Nicotine replacement or Zyban ready in advance.

· In order to quit, you must want to quit and not simply have an interest in trying.

· Set a definite date for quitting.

· Keep a diary for a week, prior to quitting, noting things like when, where and why you smoke, and thinking of any possible alternatives you could have employed.

· Try and wait before smoking a cigarette and think of something else to do.

· Try using a different hand for smoking.

· Switch to a different brand of cigarettes that you don’t particularly like.

· Inform your friends and family that you are going to quit.

· Encourage somebody, particularly your partner, to quit at the same time.

The First Day of Quitting

· Apply your nicotine patch, or have your nicotine gum, or nasal spray, handy.

· If using Zyban you will need to have been on it for about 6 days before quitting.

· Remove all cigarettes and ashtrays.

· Change your routine, especially round about the time of day when you would have had your first smoke.

· Have something to put in your mouth, for instance a tooth-pick, chewing gum, or more usefully your nicotine gum - smokers get used to frequently putting cigarettes in their mouth, and these items help act as a substitute.

· Have a reward ready for the end of the first successful day.

Staying Quit!

· Continue using your Nicotine Replacement or Zyban as prescribed.

· Initially take one day at a time.

· Work out a list of rewards for each mile post that you pass, i.e. the first week of abstinence, the next week, the first month etc.

· Some people find some form of aversion helps to suppress urges - remember the John Cleese advert with the large jar full of old cigarette ends and water - have a quick sniff of this when you get an urge and the disgusting smell soon puts you off!

· Avoid situations which are usually associated with smoking, e.g. pubs.

· Have small frequent meals, because hunger often increases the desire to have a cigarette.

· Keep thinking positively, and remind yourself of the benefits of quitting - including the financial benefits! - keep a tally of how much money you’ve saved!

· Take some form of regular exercise e.g. brisk walks, or cycling.

· Don’t worry about mood swings - these will settle down.

· Remind people close to you that you are trying to abstain and ask them to encourage you.

· If you succumb to the odd cigarette, don’t get disheartened - keep trying!