Quit smoking treatments & alternatives – Pills, gum, devices & more
Quit smoking for good with our comprehensive guide to treatments like pills, devices, and more. Say goodbye to cigarettes and hello to a healthier life.
What’s stopping you?
Not sure if you’re ready to stop smoking? Worried about finding it difficult?
Start quizThere are many nicotine substitutes from gum and patches to e-cigarettes to drugs such as Zyban to new products such as heat not burn devices. This page covers a variety of the nicotine substitutes that are available.
Nicotine is more addictive than cocaine which is why it can be so difficult to stop smoking. They key is finding the right method of stopping smoking from natural remedies to those that contain nicotine.
- What are the most effective ways to quit smoking?
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- E-cigarettes / vaping
- IQOS Heat-not-burn tobacco
- Varenicline (Champix / Chantix)Cytisine
- Cytisine
- Bupropion (Zyban)
- What’s stopping you? Take our free quiz
- Free videos & information
- Other useful stop smoking articles & news
What are the most effective ways to quit smoking?
Your success in quitting smoking, depends very much on the method you decide to use.
Although there are numerous techniques and treatments purporting to help you most of them result in less than one person out of ten actually succeeding.
The table below shows that the overall best method is Allen Carr’s Easyway.
Nicotine substitutes as smoking alternatives
There are many nicotine substitutes from gum and patches to e-cigarettes and new products such as heat not burn devices. The following section covers a variety of nicotine substitutes that are available.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Treatment: This involves the smoker swapping cigarettes for nicotine gum, patches, inhalators, puffers, nasal sprays, mouth sprays, or lozenges. The therapy therefore provides nicotine but without the tar, carbon monoxide and other poisonous chemicals found in smoking. The aim is that over time the smoker or vaper moves completely to NRT and then phases out the gum or patches to become free of nicotine. In the UK, NRT is initially obtained via prescription from local NHS stop smoking services and is given for a 3 month period after which NRT must be purchased direct from the drugstore/pharmacy.
Side Effects: These can include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, insomnia, and nightmares.
Who can use it: Most adults and children over 12 years of age can try this but anyone with a heart or circulatory condition, or on regular medication should check with their doctor. Anyone breast-feeding or pregnant should seek medical advice.
Comment: The problem is that the term NRT is a misnomer. Nicotine is not being replaced, it’s being maintained and since nicotine is a highly addictive poison, there’s nothing therapeutic about it! In fact, very few smokers using NRT are successful in stopping altogether in anything but the very short term2-10. Many go back to smoking or vaping and those that don’t have to continue to pay for the nicotine products. It is also quite common for people to continue to smoke as well as take NRT.
What’s holding you back?
Not sure if you really want to quit smoking?
Want to stop, but concerned that you’ll find it tough?
Worried that you’ll be deprived for the rest of your life without cigarettes?
We know that taking the first step can be difficult, but we’re here to answer your questions in complete confidence – with no pressure and no judgement.
Start the free quizE-cigarettes / Vaping
Treatment: This involves the smoker swapping cigarettes for an electronic device which delivers the nicotine in a vapor form. Nicotine is therefore provided but without the tar or carbon monoxide found in smoking. The aim is that over time the smoker moves completely to e-cigarettes and then phases out the e-cigarettes to become free of nicotine or simply carries on using e-cigarettes for the rest of their lives.
Side Effects: The vaping juice contains many chemicals including nicotine and to date there has not been sufficient research into the long term effects of vaping on the lungs and body. However, in recent months there have been studies published that suggest e-cigarettes harm the cardiovascular system13 of healthy young adults; increase risk of myocardial infection14; may impair the cells lining the lungs15; may hamper the lungs’ ability to fend off infections16 and liquids vaporised by e-cigarettes are chemically unstable and form new chemicals that irritate the airways and may have other toxic effects16. It’s likely that future research will identify further side-effects over the coming years.
Who can use it: Most adults can try this but anyone with a heart, respiratory, or circulatory condition, or on regular medication should check with their doctor.
Comment: The problem is that E-cigarettes are just another nicotine delivery system but with currently unknown side effects. There continues to be a significant on-going cost and you are not free of nicotine addiction while opening yourself up to unknown long-term side effects. It has also been noted that many people continue to smoke and vape, and therefore end up increasing their nicotine consumption but without any decrease in health risk compared to someone who just smokes.
Read more about How to Quit Vaping with Allen Carr’s Easyway
IQOS Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco Products
Treatment: This involves the smoker swapping cigarettes for an electronic device which heats rather than burns processed tobacco. The heating process generates a nicotine-containing vapor. Since the tobacco does not burn, the levels of harmful chemicals are somewhat reduced compared to cigarette smoke. The aim is that over time the smoker moves completely to heated tobacco products and then phases them out to become free of nicotine or simply carries on using the products for the rest of their lives.
Side Effects: The vapor contains many chemicals including nicotine and to date there has not been sufficient research into the long-term effects of heat-not-burn devices. It’s assumed that these products are even more damaging to health than e-cigarettes. It’s likely that future research will identify further side-effects over the coming years.
Who can use it: Most adults can try this but anyone with a heart, respiratory, or circulatory condition, or on regular medication should check with their doctor.
Comment: The problem is that heat-not-burn devices are just another nicotine delivery system but with currently unknown side effects. There continues to be a significant on-going cost and you are not free of nicotine addiction while opening yourself up to unknown long-term side effects. It has also been noted that many people continue to smoke and use heat-not-burn devices, and therefore end up increasing their nicotine consumption but without any decrease in health risk compared to someone who just smokes.
Read more about How to Quit Vaping with Allen Carr’s Easyway
Smoking treatment drugs
There are many quit smoking medications, one of which is stop smoking pills. The following section covers a variety of smoking cessation medications that are available.
Varenicline (Champix / Chantix)
Treatment:Champix in Europe or Chantix in USA is a well known quit smoking medication which requires a prescription due to the long list of possible side effects. How does Chantix work? The theory is that it reduces the craving for nicotine and blocks the reward pathways. One or two of the stop smoking pills are taken a day, or as otherwise directed by the prescribing physician, starting one or two weeks before the planned stop date. Treatment normally lasts for 3 months.
Side Effects:There are often side effects including feeling and being sick, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), sometimes with vivid dreams, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhoea, headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness.
Who can use it: You must be over 18 years old and pregnant women, airline pilots and other professions are not allowed to use Champix. Prescription only.
Comment: It’s quite a serious drug to take and is only available on prescription. For those who would prefer a drug-free approach it’s unlikely to be an attractive proposition.2-10.
Cytisine
Treatment:Cytisine is a relatively new quit smoking medication which requires a prescription due to the long list of possible side effects similar to varenicline (Champix/Chantix). How does Cytisine work? In a similar way to vChampix/Chantix, in that it apparently reduces urges to smoke by attaching to some of the same neuronal receptors in the brain that nicotine does. It is swallowed as a tablet or capsule. The standard course of treatment is currently 25 days but it is considered that using it for up to 12 weeks improves its effectiveness.
Side Effects:There are often side effects including feeling and being sick, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), sometimes with vivid dreams, dry mouth, constipation or diarrhoea, headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness.
Who can use it: You must be over 18 years old and pregnant women, airline pilots and other professions are not allowed to use Champix. Prescription only.
Comment: It’s quite a serious drug to take and is only available on prescription. For those who would prefer a drug-free approach it’s unlikely to be an attractive proposition.2-10.
Bupropion (Zyban) medicine
Treatment: This stop smoking pill is a widely prescribed drug that was initially used to help with depression. It is therefore actually an anti-depressant drug and in theory it reduces cravings and other withdrawal effects so helping smokers to stop smoking. One or two tables are taken a day, or otherwise directed by the prescribing physician, starting one or two weeks before the planned stop date. Treatment lasts for around 2 months.
Side Effects: This smoking cessation medication can have side effects such as dry mouth, difficulty sleeping (insomnia), headaches, feeling and being sick, constipation, difficulty concentrating, and dizziness.
Who can use it: You must be over 18 years old and it is not allowed for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. This quit smoking medication is also not suitable for those people living with epilepsy, bipolar disorder or eating disorders. Prescription only.
Comment: It’s quite a serious drug to take and is only available on prescription. For those who would prefer a drug-free approach it’s unlikely to be an attractive proposition2-10.
Allen Carr’s Easyway
Treatment: The world’s most popular and successful way to quit smoking with an estimated 30 million people helped worldwide. It is often described as a cognitive behavioural therapy, or “talking therapy” (or self-help in its written form) which engages with smokers and has them correct their understanding of what causes them to smoke. At the live seminars it takes around 5 hours and the smoker carries on smoking until they feel ready to throw their cigarettes away.
There are absolutely no shock or scare tactics, and no uncomfortable discussion of health implications. Smokers know all about those already. Instead, the Facilitator helps the smoker dismantle all their arguments and reasons “for” smoking, leaving them to feel happy and relieved to “get rid of smoking” – rather than “giving it up” with a reluctant feeling of sacrifice – they feel genuinely delighted to be free.
Side Effects: None
Who can use it: Anyone
Comment: There are no side effects, it is clinically proven and it is entirely drug-free, with no need to use any nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, patches or gum and no need for any other smoking cessation drugs.
In a recent study, funded by the Irish Government, it was shown to be nearly twice as successful as the Irish stop smoking service (Quit.ie) and in another study by the University of Vienna the success rate after a year was seen to be 51%.
There is also a full money back guarantee.
Watch the video to learn more about Allen Carr’s Easyway
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FREE Videos & Information!
- Lancaster T, Stead LF. Self-help interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001118. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD001118.pub2
- Stead LF. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2012 Art. No.: CD000146. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.
- Hughes J, Rennard S. Efficacy of Varenicline to Prompt Quit Attempts in Smokers Not Currently Trying to Quit: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nicotine & Tobacco Research Journal. September 2011
- Fiore MC, Bailey WC, Cohen SJ, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. June 2000.
- Lancaster T, Stead LF. Self-help interventions for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD001118. DOI:10.1002/14651858.CD001118.pub2.
- Wu P, Wilson K, Dimoulas P, et al. Effectiveness of smoking cessation therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2006; 6: 300.
- Cahill K, Stead LF, Lancaster T. Nicotine receptor partial agonists for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006103. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006103.pub2.
- Hughes JR, Stead LF, Lancaster T. Antidepressants for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD000031. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000031.pub3.
- Crane R. The most addictive drug, the most deadly substance: smoking cessation tactics for the busy clinician. Prim Care Clin Office Pract 2007; 34: 117-35.
- GlaxoSmithKline. Zyban SR Prescribing Information. May 2007. http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_zyban.pdf
- Light Relaxation for smoking cessation Barnes J, Dong CY, McRobbie H, Walker N, Mehta M, Stead LF Cochrane review 2010, issue 10
- In a 2 to 5 year post session study the success rate was seen to be 51%. Moshammer H, Neuberger M, Kong term success of short smoking cessation seminars supported by occupational health care. Addictive Behaviours 32 (2007) 1486-1493.
National 12 month Clinical Trial finds Allen Carr’s Easyway almost twice as effective as other smoking cessation methods available on Health Service. Keogan, S., Li, S., Clancy L. (2018) Allen Carr’s Easyway to Quit Smoking – A randomised clinical trial. BMJ Tobacco Control, Issue 4 Volume 28.
UK Clinical Trial finds Allen Carr’s Easyway as good as, if not better than, the Gold Standard NHS Program which uses NRT & 1-1 psychological support. Frings D, Albery IP, Moss AC, Brunger H, Burghela M, White S, and Wood KV (2020) Comparison of Allen Carr’s Easyway programme with a specialist behavioural and pharmacological smoking cessation support service: A randomised controlled trial. Addiction 115: doi: 10.1111/add.14897 - Acute Effects of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol Inhalation on Vascular Function Detected at Quantitative MRI Alessandra Caporale. RSNA Radiology Vol.293, No1
- Electronic Cigarette Use and Myocardial Infarction Among Adults in the US Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Journal of the American Heart Association. 2019;8:e012317 D Bhatta and S Glantz
- Madison, M. C., et al. (2019). Electronic cigarettes disrupt lung lipid homeostasis and innate immunity independent of nicotine. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 10.1172, JCI128531
- Electronic cigarettes disrupt lung lipid homeostasis and innate immunity independent of nicotine M Madison, C Landers Journal of Clinical Investigation2019 JCI128531
- Hanno C Erythropel, Sairam V Jabba, Tamara M DeWinter, Melissa Mendizabal, Paul T Anastas, Sven E Jordt, Julie B Zimmerman. Formation of flavorant–propylene Glycol Adducts With Novel Toxicological Properties in Chemically Unstable E-Cigarette Liquids. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2018; DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty192