(BPT) – Congratulations! You have made it through the holiday push ”“ the parties are over, the house guests are gone and things are slowly returning to normal. You’ve spent the past months doing things for others ”“ preparing meals, purchasing gifts, decorating the house, visiting friends and family ”“ but now it’s time to do something for you and your health ”“ quitting smoking.
The New Year is an ideal time to make a resolution to try to quit. It is time to prepare for new beginnings, to re-evaluate your daily routine, identify why you smoke and make changes that help you eliminate cigarettes from your daily routines.
For most people, quitting smoking is a physical and behavioral challenge.1 Over the years smoking becomes a part of people’s daily routines ”“ making it difficult to quit.2 But with proper planning and support people can be successful.1 So if you have tried to quit before, you shouldn’t become discouraged. It’s still possible.
Quitting smoking has both immediate and long-term benefits, including reducing your risk for diseases caused by smoking.3 And, although there is no single approach that works best for everyone, there are some beneficial steps you can take toward planning a successful quit.
Set a quit date. Pick an actual date to stop smoking. Choose one that you feel confident about ”“ one that doesn’t conflict with other stressful life events.4 Then, develop a plan and prepare for your quit date and beyond. Having a game plan in place can help you be ready for challenges you face while quitting.5
Get support. Studies have shown that you have a better chance of being successful if you have help. So don’t do it alone. Let a few key friends or family members know you’re quitting. They can help you stick to your goal and offer support during difficult moments.4
Speak with your doctor. Let your doctor know when you are ready to quit smoking. He or she can help you decide what approach may be right for you. Quitting smoking is a big life change, and partnering with your doctor can be an important part of the quit process.5
One option you might consider to help you quit smoking is the NICOTROL® Inhaler (nicotine inhalation system). The NICOTROL Inhaler provides smokers with adequate amounts of nicotine to reduce the urge to smoke, and may provide some degree of comfort by providing a hand-to-mouth ritual similar to smoking, although the importance of such an effect in smoking cessation is, as yet, unknown.6 People who use the NICOTROL Inhaler with a comprehensive behavioral smoking cessation program are more successful in quitting smoking. This program can include support groups, counseling or specific behavior change techniques.6 As the NICOTROL Inhaler is available only by prescription, talk to your doctor for more information on how it may be able to help you quit smoking. You should stop smoking completely before using the NICOTROL Inhaler.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use NICOTROL if you are hypersensitive or allergic to nicotine, menthol, or to any ingredient in the products.
If you have cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, or bronchospastic diseases including asthma or chronic pulmonary disease, talk to your doctor about using the NICOTROL Inhaler. If you are under a doctor’s care for any condition, you should first discuss with your doctor the potential risks of using this product.
You should stop smoking completely before using NICOTROL. You should not smoke or use other nicotine-containing products while under treatment with NICOTROL.
Because nicotine is addictive, it is possible to become dependent on NICOTROL. It is important to use it only for as long as needed to overcome your smoking habit. The safety of treatment with NICOTROL for periods longer than 6 months has not been established, and such use is not recommended.
A special note about children and pets: NICOTROL can cause serious illness or be fatal in children and pets—even in very small amounts. If a child chews on or swallows new or used NICOTROL Inhaler cartridges, immediately call a doctor or call your regional poison center.
The specific effects of NICOTROL on fetal development and nursing infants are unknown. Therefore, if you are pregnant or nursing, you should talk to your doctor about quitting smoking.
Side effects associated with the NICOTROL Inhaler: You are likely to experience mild irritation of the mouth or throat, or cough when you first use the NICOTROL Inhaler. In clinical trials, the frequency of mouth or throat irritation, or coughing declined with continued use.
The most common nicotine-related side effect was upset stomach. Other nicotine-related side effects were nausea, diarrhea, and hiccup. Smoking-related side effects included chest discomfort, bronchitis, and high blood pressure.
It is important to tell your doctor about any other medications you may be taking because they may need dosage adjustment.
The product information provided on this site is intended only for residents of the United States. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.
The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, taking into consideration the unique characteristics of the patient.
For full Prescribing Information and Important Safety Information for the NICOTROL Inhaler, visit www.NICOTROL.com. This information is courtesy of Pfizer Inc.
1 Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update. Clinical practice guideline. Rockville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service; 2008.
2 Smokefree.gov. Quit Guide: Thinking About Quitting. http://women.smokefree.gov/qg-thinking-hard.aspx. Accessed December 11, 2012.
3 The Health Consequences of Smoking: what it means to you. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.
4 Guide to Quitting Smoking. American Cancer Society, 2012.
5 Mayo Clinic. Smoking cessation: Creating a quit-smoking plan. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/smoking-cessation/SK00055. Accessed November 14, 2012.Â
6 Nicotrol Inhaler [prescribing information]. New York, NY: Pfizer Inc; 2008.
