If you continue to smoke, you simply must quit. The CHAMPS staff will help you quit by providing you the guidance and support you will need and helping you choose a method to quit.

Options for Smoking Cessation

• Cold Turkey
• Nicotine Fading
• Nicotine Gum
• Nicotine Skin Patch
• Nicotine Inhaler
• Zyban

Cold Turkey
This method simply has you abruptly stop smoking cigarettes. Many quitters have used this method and have been very successful. Other smokers have tried this method many times before they were successful. The success rate varies greatly with this method.

Things to think about:

• You can manage this process alone.
• It is a one step process.
• The cost is very little.
• You must be highly committed to your goal of quitting.
• Withdrawal symptoms (such as headache, irritability, or trouble sleeping) may be severe for some, especially if you smoke a cigarette with high levels of nicotine.

Nicotine Fading
With this method, you are taught how to reduce the nicotine level of cigarettes smoked by 30/60/90 percent over a three-week period. During the fourth week, you stop smoking completely. Your CHAMPS staff member or doctor will help you decide which cigarette brands will be smoked over these three weeks by using a chart that is printed by the Federal Trade Commission. This chart is helpful because most cigarette labels do not list the nicotine content. This method helps reduce the chances of withdrawal symptoms becoming severe. It has a 30% success rate after 12 months.

Things to think about:

• It is easy to follow.
• It is inexpensive.
• You must have a high level of motivation.

Nicorette Gum
The gum is a substitute source of nicotine and reduces the withdrawal symptoms during the quitting process. Gum is prescribed by a doctor. Often you need to chew 10-12 pieces of gum each day over a three to six month period. You slowly reduce the amount of gum chewed each day during the last few weeks of the therapy. This method has a 20% success rate after 12 months.

Things to think about:

• You can manage this process alone.
• You must have a high level of motivation.
• You must stop smoking when using the gum.
• Minor side effects include lightheadedness, nausea, sore mouth, sore throat, hiccups and excess amount of saliva.
• The gum is not recommended if you are pregnant, have had a heart attack or other heart problems, or if you have certain joint diseases of the jaw.
• If you are a long time smoker, you may have a greater chance of becoming dependent on the gum. The cost for three months of therapy is about $225.00. Most insurance, including Title 19 and Medicare, do not cover the cost of the gum.

Nicotine Skin Patch
The skin patch is also a substitute source of nicotine and reduces the withdrawal symptoms during the quitting process. The patch is prescribed by a doctor. The dosage is prescribed based upon the number of cigarettes smoked in a day. The patch is worn for 10 or 12 weeks. The patch is a good choice for you if you have a strong addiction to nicotine and are smoking a cigarette that has a high nicotine content. There is a 50% success rate at the end of a three-month period.

Things to think about:

• One patch is applied every 24 hours.
• You must have a high level of motivation.
• You must stop smoking cigarettes when you use the patch.
• Common side effects are skin redness when the patch is removed and restless sleep.
• If you are pregnant, the patch is not recommended.
• If you have heart disease, use of the patch must be closely monitored by the CHAMPS staff.
• The cost is about $100.00 for four weeks. Most people need to use the patch for a total of 8-10 weeks. Most insurance, including Title 19 and Medicare do not cover the cost of the patch.
• All of these options are most successful when combined with a support group based smoking cessation program that discusses stress management, weight control, effects of social pressure and tips for resisting the temptation to light up. There are many smoking cessation programs available, including those sponsored by the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society.

Nicotine Inhaler
The inhaler is a substitute source of nicotine and reduces the withdrawal symptoms during the quitting process. To use the nicotine inhaler, you insert a foil wrapper nicotine cartridge into a tube that looks like a fat white cigarette. The inhaler is prescribed by a doctor. Each puff of the inhaler contains 8 to 10 times less nicotine than a puff of a cigarette and none of the dangerous tar and other toxins that cigarettes contain. The dosage ranges from using the inhaler intensively for 5 minutes 24 to 48 times a day gradually tapering off after 3 months.

Things to think about:

• You must stop smoking cigarettes when you use the inhaler
• Common side effects include mouth or throat irritation and cough
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the inhaler is not recommended
• The cost is about $160 for 2-4 weeks depending on dosage
• The inhaler provides the sensation in the back of the throat similar to the feeling of inhaling a cigarette, and the ritual of bringing hand to mouth that many smoker report they miss when trying to quit.

Zyban
This is the first nicotine-free pill which can be prescribed by your doctor. In clinical trials, it has been proven to reduce withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke in some patients. You first set a quit date, then start taking Zyban and project that you'll reach your date within 2 weeks. Your doctor may recommend for you to continue taking Zyban for 7-12 weeks and attend a support group for long-term success.

Things to think about:

• You must have a strong desire to quit.
• It takes about one week for the levels of Zyban to be effective, so you should plan a quit date during the second week of therapy.
• Do not smoke at any time if you are using a nicotine patch or other product along with Zyban. It is possible to get too much nicotine and have serious side effects.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, Zyban is not recommended.
• Zyban may affect other medications that you are taking, therefore, you should make sure your doctor is aware of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you take before you begin.
• A day of Zyban costs about the same as a pack of cigarettes. Most medical insurance does not cover the cost. The lowest recommended and shortest length of therapy averages about $125.44.
• All of these options are most successful when combined with a support group-based smoking cessation program that discusses stress management, weight control, effects of social pressure and tips for resisting the temptation to light up. There are many smoking cessation programs available, including those sponsored by the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society.

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