Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - If you are a smoker and trying to quit, it might seem from TV and magazine ads that nicotine gum or patches are your only hope for success. According to new research, that's not so, Doctors say most smokers quit on their own - and that these nicotine replacement products are over-hyped and over-sold.
You don't need a pill, a patch, or a piece of gum to quit smoking. In fact, going "cold turkey" is still one of the most successful methods for kicking the habit, according to the new report.
Australian researchers reviewed more than 500 studies and found 66 to 75% of ex-smokers quit all on their own with no help from drugs or nicotine replacement therapies such as gum or a patch.
Even better - most people said quitting was less difficult than they'd expected it to be. The researchers say that the nicotine therapies have been over-promoted thanks to pharmaceutical companies' heavy advertising - and that industry- funded studies are biased in favor of the products.
Health authorities should emphasize that most smokers can quit on their own. The authors it's cheaper and carries less risk for side effects. The U.S. government suggests that smokers use motivational tips such as counting their days without cigarettes or researching how much money they can save by quitting. For an average pack-a-day smoker, that's nearly $2000 per year in extra cash.
