Double your chance of quitting smoking

Nicotine replacement therapy doubles your chances of quitting smoking
– cessation expert

17 May 2009

A leading quit smoking expert is encouraging smokers to maximise their chances of quitting by using nicotine patches, gum and lozenges available, very cheaply, in New Zealand. Nicotine replacement therapy works by replacing some of the nicotine people get from tobacco, which can reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

“We are extremely fortunate in this country to have easy access to low-cost nicotine replacement therapy,” says international cessation expert Dr Hayden McRobbie.

Dr McRobbie is commenting on the latest message from the Face the Facts initiative – ‘nicotine replacement therapy is safe and doubles your chances of quitting’.

He says many people are not aware of just how safe and effective nicotine replacement therapy is.

“A survey of Quitline users showed that 30 percent of those who made a quit attempt using the full service of the Quitline – that is using NRT alongside support from an advisor and written information – were successfully quit six months after giving up. This compares to 15 percent who successfully quit without using the full service.

“Using nicotine patches, gum and lozenges has never been shown to cause cancer or heart disease and these products are much safer than smoking.”

Karly, from Hamilton, tried nicotine patches which she ordered through Quitline.

“The patches helped me cope with the physical withdrawal symptoms and I slowly began to break all of my smoking habits such as lighting up when I made a telephone call or sharing a cigarette with friends.”

In two weeks, Karly went from smoking around 15 cigarettes a day to just one. Within three months she was smokefree.

“If you want to stop smoking, I would definitely recommend trying the patches. I look back now and can't believe how chained I was to cigarettes. I feel a better person and a better mum, and I know I will never go back there.”

Nicotine replacement therapy is heavily subsidised by the Government, with an eight-week supply of patches, gum or lozenges from an approved provider usually costing around $10.

Dr McRobbie says low-cost nicotine replacement therapy is widely available. “You can get it through the Quitline – 0800 778 778, as well as from many GPs, midwives, dentists, optometrists, nurse practitioners, other community health workers and online.”

It is also available from the Aukati KaiPaipa programme, a free service delivered locally within many communities. Aukati KaiPaipa (www.aukatikaipaipa.co.nz) offers Maori and their whanau the opportunity to quit smoking through a range of services, including nicotine replacement therapy, motivational counseling and ongoing support.

Face the Facts is a smokefree education initiative developed by the Ministry of Health and Health Sponsorship Council.

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