University of Iowa Health Science Relations and
Paul Pomrehn, MD
Professor of Community and Behavioral Health
First Published: November 2000
Peer Review Status: Internally Peer Reviewed

You've decided finally to stop talking about quitting smoking and just do it. But you're not sure how to go about it.

"Most people, 90 to 95 percent, have quit on their own without any formal assistance. The most important predictor of quitting smoking is making a sincere effort to quit," says Dr. Paul Pomrehn, associate professor of preventive medicine and environmental health at the University of Iowa College of Medicine.

While there is no single foolproof method for quitting smoking, Pornrehn stresses the importance of setting a date for quitting that the smoker feels is reasonable. "It is entirely the individual's call, " Pomrehn says. "If you are a heavy smoker-one and a half to two packs a day-you may want to consider first cutting down before you set a date." He notes that nicotine replacements (gum or patch) and Zyban may prove helpful to a heavy smoker when used properly.

Prior experiences gained from previous attempts to quit smoking can be helpful to the smoker who is in the process of setting a date. Smokers who have previously quit can use that experience to plan their strategy.

Other methods may also be worth considering. Community classes and programs designed to help smokers kick the habit can be beneficial. " A smoker who has invested time and interest in working with others to quit is more likely to succeed in quitting smoking," Pomrehn says. Group support can make a big difference in long-term success.

For more information on quitting smoking, talk to your family doctor, or call the National Cancer Institute at 1-800-4-CANCER or visit the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/tobacco/.