smokefree.gov
women.smokefree.gov
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There are many different methods available to help you quit smoking. Use the Quit Smoking Methods Explorer to help you decide which method or combination of methods is right for you.
Some quit smoking methods are more effective than others. Use the Quit Smoking Methods Explorer and the 4- star rating system below to learn more about the effectiveness of each method.
★
= Fair |
★★
= Good |
★★★
= Better |
★★★★
= Best
The cost of quit smoking methods varies. Use the Quit Smoking Methods Explorer and legend below to learn more about cost and help you decide which method or combination of methods is right for you.
$
= less than $150 |
$$
= $151–$299 |
$$$
= $300 and more
You can use some quit smoking methods immediately, while others require a little more planning before you can start using them. Use the Quit Smoking Methods Explorer to learn more about how to use each method and help you decide which method or combination of methods is right for you.
Some people experience side effects when using quit smoking methods. Use the Quit Smoking Methods Explorer to learn more about common side effects and help you decide which method or combination of methods is right for you.
MOST EFFECTIVE
AFFORDABLE
QUIT NOW
SIDE EFFECTS
Self-help Quitting Guides and Other Materials:
Pamphlets, booklets, manuals, videos, audio tapes to help people quit smoking.
Nicotine Patch (Nicoderm CQ
®
):
The nicotine patch is placed on the skin and supplies a steady amount of nicotine to the body, which helps to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke. The nicotine dose is gradually reduced over time.
Nicotine Gum (Nicorette
®
):
Nicotine gum is chewed to release nicotine that gets absorbed through tissue inside the mouth, helping to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke. The nicotine dose is gradually reduced over time.
Nicotine Lozenge (Nicorette
®
):
The nicotine lozenge looks like hard candy and is placed in the mouth where it slowly dissolves, releasing nicotine, which helps to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke. The nicotine dose is gradually reduced over time.
Nicotine Inhaler (Nicotrol
®
Inhaler):
A nicotine inhaler is a cartridge attached to a mouthpiece that delivers a specific amount of nicotine to the user with each puff. The nicotine inhaler helps to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke.
Laser Therapy:
Laser therapy uses low intensity lasers (light beams) on certain parts of the body.
Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol
®
):
Nicotine nasal spray is a pump bottle, which is inserted into the nose and sprayed to deliver a specific amount of nicotine to the user with each spray. The nicotine nasal spray helps to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke.
Varenicline (Chantix
®
):
Varenicline is a prescription medication that eases nicotine withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if the user starts smoking again. It contains no nicotine.
Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin
®
or Zyban
®
):
Bupropion SR is a prescription medication that helps to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and urges to smoke. It contains no nicotine. Bupropion SR can be used safely with nicotine replacement products.
In-person Counseling & Support:
Many local clinics or hospitals have counselors you can meet with face- to -face, or support groups to help you quit. Ask your doctor about cessation counseling, or contact your local clinic, hospital, or health department.
Hypnosis:
Hypnosis is a state of deep concentration, in which you are guided through some thoughts and feelings. Hypnosis aims to help people quit smoking by reducing the desire to smoke, increasing the will to stop, or helping better focus on quitting programs.
Combined Medications:
Certain medications can be used together to increase the chances of quitting. The nicotine patch may be combined with other nicotine replacement products, or with Bbuproprion SR pills.
Telephone Counseling & Support:
Calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW allows you to talk to a counselor over the telephone who can give you advice on ways to quit and support you while you are preparing to quit or trying to stay quit.
Counseling & Medication:
Counseling can be combined with medication to increase your chances of successfully quitting. Combining counseling (in-person or telephone) with medication is more effective than either counseling or medication by itself.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is when a practitioner places needles in parts of the body, usually the outside of the ear. Acupuncture tries to relieve your discomfort from nicotine withdrawal.
Internet Quitting Programs:
There are a variety of quitting programs that you can access through a computer. The Department of Health and Human Services has developed a website, Smokefree.gov, that provides accurate, up-to-date information and professional assistance to help support the immediate and long-term needs of people trying to quit smoking.
skip to the most effective method
Self-help Quitting Guides and Other Materials:
★★★
★
There are many forms of self-help quitting guides and materials available, but they vary in quality. If you are motivated and confident about quitting, evidence-based self-help quitting materials may help you prepare to quit and stay quit.
Nicotine Patch (Nicoderm CQ
®
):
★★
★★
When used as directed, the nicotine patch can double your chances of quitting successfully.
Nicotine Gum (Nicorette
®
):
★★
★★
When used as directed, the nicotine gum can double your chances of quitting successfully.
Nicotine Lozenge (Nicorette
®
):
★★
★★
When used as directed, the nicotine lozenge can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
Nicotine Inhaler (Nicotrol
®
Inhaler):
★★
★★
When used as directed, the nicotine inhaler can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
Laser Therapy:
No Evidence
There is no proof that this treatment helps smokers quit successfully.
Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol
®
):
★★
★★
When used as directed, nicotine nasal spray can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
Varenicline (Chantix
®
):
★
★★★
When used as directed, Varenicline pills can more than double your chances of quitting successfully.
Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin
®
or Zyban
®
):
★★
★★
When used as directed, Buproprion SR pills can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
In-person Counseling & Support:
★★
★★
In-person counseling can double your chances of quitting successfully. The more often you meet with your counselor, the better your odds of success.
Hypnosis:
No Evidence
There is little proof that this treatment helps smokers quit successfully.
Combined Medications:
★★
★★
Certain combinations of medications can be more effective than just one medication by itself. If you have tried to quit using one type of medicine but it did not work, ask your doctor about using the patch with another form of nicotine replacement therapy (i.e., gum, nasal spray, inhaler), or with Buproprion SR.
Telephone Counseling & Support:
★★
★★
Telephone counseling can double your chances of quitting successfully. The more telephone counseling sessions you complete, the better your odds of success.
Counseling & Medication:
★★★★
Combining counseling (in-person or telephone) with medication is more effective than using either method by itself. Talking with a counselor (in-person or by telephone) while also using a quit smoking medication will give you the best chance of quitting.
Acupuncture:
No Evidence
There is no proof that this treatment helps smokers quit successfully.
Internet Quitting Programs:
★★★
★
There are many internet quitting programs available, but they vary in quality. If you are motivated and confident about quitting, evidence-based internet quitting programs may help you prepare to quit and stay quit.
Self-help Quitting Guides and Other Materials:
Free to $.
Self-help quitting guides and other materials are available from your doctor, other health care provider, or health department. They may also be downloaded and printed from the internet for immediate use.
Nicotine Patch (Nicoderm CQ
®
):
Free to $$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics. Depending on your state, 1-800-QUIT-NOW may also offer free or low-cost nicotine patches to eligible adults.
Nicotine Gum (Nicorette
®
):
Free to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics. Depending on your state, 1-800-QUIT-NOW may also offer free or low-cost nicotine gum to eligible adults.
Nicotine Lozenge (Nicorette
®
):
Free to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics. Depending on your state, 1-800-QUIT-NOW may also offer free or low-cost nicotine lozenges to eligible adults.
Nicotine Inhaler (Nicotrol
®
Inhaler):
Free to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics.
Laser Therapy:
$$$.
Cost is not usually covered by insurance.
Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol
®
):
$$ to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics.
Varenicline (Chantix
®
):
$$ to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics.
Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin
®
or Zyban
®
):
Free to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics. Depending on your state, 1-800-QUIT-NOW may also offer free or low-cost Buproprion SR pills to eligible adults.
In-person Counseling & Support:
$ to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, your total annual benefit may cover up to eight counseling sessions. If you are a Medicaid beneficiary, and you are pregnant, the cost is free.
Hypnosis:
$$$.
Costs is not covered by insurance.
Combined Medications:
$ to $$$.
Cost may be free or significantly reduced through insurance, health plans, or clinics. Depending on your state, 1-800-QUIT-NOW may also offer free or low-cost medication to eligible adults.
Telephone Counseling & Support:
Free.
Telephone counseling and support is available for free by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
Counseling & Medication:
Free to $$$.
Many forms of counseling and quit smoking medications are available for free or at a significantly reduced cost through telephone quitlines, insurance, health plans, or clinics. Cost will depend on what combination of methods you choose.
Acupuncture:
$$$.
Costs is not covered by insurance.
Internet Quitting Programs:
Free
Internet quitting programs are free.
Self-help Quitting Guides and Other Materials:
Self-help quitting and other materials are available from your doctor, other health care provider, or health department. They are also available on the internet for immediate usage.
Nicotine Patch (Nicoderm CQ
®
):
Nicotine patches are available over the counter and can be used to quit smoking the day you buy them
Nicotine Gum (Nicorette
®
):
Nicotine gum is available over the counter and can be used to quit smoking the day you buy it.
Nicotine Lozenge (Nicorette
®
):
Nicotine lozenges are available over the counter and can be used to quit smoking the day you buy them.
Nicotine Inhaler (Nicotrol
®
Inhaler):
The nicotine inhaler is only available from your doctor. You need to schedule an appointment to get a prescription before you can use it to quit smoking.
Laser Therapy:
0 Stars There is no proof that this treatment helps smokers quit successfully.
Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol
®
):
Nicotine nasal spray is only available from your doctor. You need to schedule an appointment to get a prescription before you can use it to quit smoking.
Varenicline (Chantix
®
):
Varenicline pills are only available from your doctor. You need to schedule an appointment to get a prescription and let the medication build up in your system before you can use it as a quit smoking method.
Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin
®
or Zyban
®
):
Bupropion SR pills are only available from your doctor. You need to schedule an appointment to get a prescription and let the medication build up in your system before you can use it to quit smoking.
In-person Counseling & Support:
In-person counseling and support is available at your doctor, clinic, hospital, or health department. You may need to schedule an appointment before you can use in-person counseling as a quit smoking method. You can use start using counseling before you quit, to help you get ready, and also while you are quitting to help you stay quit.
Hypnosis:
Hypnosis is available from a National Board Certified Hypnotherapist. You need to schedule an appointment before you can use hypnosis as a quit smoking method.
Combined Medications:
Some medications are available over-the-counter while others are only available from your doctor. Availability will depend on what combination of methods you choose.
Telephone Counseling & Support:
Telephone counseling and support is available over the phone by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. No appointment is needed to talk to a tobacco quitline counselor.
Counseling & Medication:
Counseling options are available in-person or over the phone. Some forms of quit smoking medication are available over-the-counter while others are only available from your doctor. Availability will depend on what combination of methods you choose.
Acupuncture:
Acupuncture is available from a licensed acupuncturist. You need to schedule an appointment before you can use acupuncture as a quit smoking method.
Internet Quitting Programs:
Available online at
www.smokefree.gov
or
www.women.smokefree.gov
Self-help Quitting Guides and Other Materials:
There are no side effects from using self-help quitting guides and other materials.
Nicotine Patch (Nicoderm CQ
®
):
Common side effects include bad taste from the gum, tingling feeling on tongue when chewing gum, hiccups, upset stomach, nausea, heartburn, and jaw pain caused by chewing. Many of these side effects can be avoided by using the gum as directed.
Nicotine Gum (Nicorette
®
):
Common side effects include hiccups, upset stomach and jaw pain caused by chewing. Many of these side effects can be avoided by using the gum as directed or changing the way you chew it.
Nicotine Lozenge (Nicorette
®
):
Common side effects include soreness of teeth and gums, indigestion, and irritated throat.
Nicotine Inhaler (Nicotrol
®
Inhaler):
Common side effects include throat irritation, mouth irritation, and coughing.
Laser Therapy:
Unknown
Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol
®
):
Common side effects include sneezing, coughing, and watering eyes.
Varenicline (Chantix
®
):
Common side effects include nausea, change in dreaming, constipation, gas, and vomiting. Some people have had mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts with varenicline pills. These side effects are very rare. If you experience serious changes in your mood, you should stop this medication and tell your doctor right away. Your doctor will monitor this carefully.
Bupropion SR (Wellbutrin
®
or Zyban
®
):
Common side effects include dry mouth and dificulty sleeping.
In-person Counseling & Support:
There are no side effects from using in-person counseling and support to quit.
Hypnosis:
Unknown
Combined Medications:
Some combined medications may increase the chance of side effects, so it is important to speak to your doctor about the side effects before you start combining methods.
Telephone Counseling & Support:
There are no side effects from using telephone counseling and support to quit.
Counseling & Medication:
There are no side effects from using in-person or telephone counseling. Side effects from quit smoking medications will depend on what methods you choose.
Acupuncture:
Unknown
Internet Quitting Programs:
There are no side effects from using online quitting programs.