Stop Smoking Aids

Do stop smoking aids really help?

With the growing number of smokers looking to quit, the number of stop smoking aids have recently increased. From over the counter nicotine gums and patches to prescription drugs such as Zyban, the scope and range of stop smoking aids have broadened.

But the question that people are now asking is, "Do these products really help me quit?" The answer is yes and no. Stop smoking aids can help certain types of smokers, mainly moderate to heavy smokers, control their cravings and help them to slowly depend less on nicotine and eventually not rely on it at all.

The reason for the "no" part of the answer is that these products usually do not help light smokers from quitting, which make up 37% of those who are looking to quit. In the case of light smokers, these stop smoking aids, prescription and over the counter, have never been proven to be beneficial. Another reason these aids are considered unhelpful is because many people rely on them too heavily and believe they will be able to quit with just the aids. This of course is not true. The products are there to "aid" you in your quitting, not quit for you. Instead of relying on the products, quitters should look to behavioral counseling to help change their habits and stop smoking based on will, not medication.

Stop smoking aids can help, but only if you use them responsibly and don't rely on them. Use them as one of the many tools to get you smoke free.