Other Methods of Stop Smoking

Other Methods of Quitting

Other tools may also help some people, although there is no strong evidence they can improve your chances of quitting.

Atropine and scopolamine combination therapy

Some smoking cessation clinics offer a program using shots of the drugs atropine and scopolamine to help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. These drugs block the action of acetylcholine, a signal transmitter in the nervous system. Called anticholinergics, they are more often prescribed for other reasons, such as digestive problems, motion sickness, or Parkinson’s disease. People who are pregnant or have heart problems, glaucoma, or uncontrolled high blood pressure are not allowed to take part in these programs.

The treatment usually involves shots given in the clinic on one day, followed by a few weeks of pills and wearing patches behind the ear. It may also include other drugs to help with side effects. Possible side effects of this treatment can include dizziness, constipation, dry mouth, changes in the sense of taste and smell, problems urinating, and blurry vision.

Some clinics claim high success rates, but there is no published scientific research to back up these claims. Both atropine and scopolamine are FDA-approved for other uses, but they have not been formally studied or approved for help in quitting smoking. Before considering such a program, you may want to ask the clinic about long-term success rates (up to a year). Because these medicines are directed only at the physical aspect of quitting, you may also want to ask if the program includes counseling or other methods aimed at the psychological aspects of quitting.

Hypnosis

Hypnosis methods vary a great deal, which makes it hard to study as a way to stop smoking. In general, reviews that looked at studies of hypnosis to help people quit smoking have not supported it as a quitting method that works. Still, some people find it useful. If you are interested in trying it, ask your doctor if he or she can recommend a good hypnotherapist.

Acupuncture

This method has been used to quit smoking, but there is little evidence to show that it works. Acupuncture, when it is done, is usually done on certain parts of the ears. Although there is a very weak suggestion that acupuncture might lower the desire to smoke, there still is no solid evidence that it is truly effective as a smoking cessation tool (see the ACS document, Acupuncture). For a list of local physician acupuncturists, contact the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture at 1-323-937-5514.

Low-level Laser Therapy

This technique, also called cold laser therapy, is related to acupuncture. Cold lasers are sometimes used for acupuncture. The laser beams stimulate the body's acupoints instead of needles. The treatment is supposed to relax the smoker and release endorphins (pain relief substances that are made naturally by the body) to simulate the effects of nicotine in the brain, or balance the body's energy to relieve the addiction. Despite claims of success by some cold laser therapy providers, there is no scientific evidence that shows this is an effective method of helping people stop smoking (see ACS document, Cold Laser Therapy).

Filters

Filters that reduce tar and nicotine in cigarettes are generally not effective since studies show that smokers who use filters actually tend to smoke more.

Smoking Deterrents

Other methods have been used to help stop smoking, such as over-the-counter products that change the taste of tobacco, stop-smoking diets that curb nicotine cravings, and combinations of vitamins. There is little scientific evidence to support that these efforts work.

Herbs and Supplements

There is little scientific evidence to support the use of homeopathic aids and herbal supplements as stop-smoking methods. Because they are marketed as dietary supplements (as opposed to drugs), they don't need FDA approval to be sold. The manufacturers don't have to prove they’re effective, or even safe. Be sure to look closely at the label of any product claiming it can help you stop smoking. No dietary supplement has been proven to effectively help people quit smoking. Some of these supplements have no nicotine in them, but have multiple combinations of herbal preparations. They have no proven track record of helping people to stop smoking.