I remember this discussion coming up several times during my quit. I also remember sometimes I felt weaker than those people who were able to quit cold turkey. Sometimes I felt that there was something wrong with me because I quit kicking, screaming and whining (and not in the calm, positive manner of others) In the end, I realize that the "how" didn't really matter. I quit! Wishing the best to each of you as you travel along the road to FREEDOM! Windy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]9/11/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 514 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 10,280 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,570.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 50 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 11 [B]Seconds:[/B] 15

Thanks Alohakeia Maybe we can put this nonsense to bed once and for all. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/20/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 324 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,832 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,240.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 78 [B]Hrs:[/B] 22 [B]Mins:[/B] 9 [B]Seconds:[/B] 26

Deck et al This from the Cochrane Library, which is a collection of evidence-based medical databases; "NRT aims to reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking by replacing the nicotine from cigarettes. NRT is available as skin patches that deliver nicotine slowly, and chewing gum, nasal spray, inhalers, and lozenges/tablets, all of which deliver nicotine to the brain more quickly than from skin patches, but less rapidly than from smoking cigarettes. This review includes 132 trials of NRT, with over 40,000 people in the main analysis. It found evidence that all forms of NRT made it more likely that a person's attempt to quit smoking would succeed. The chances of stopping smoking were increased by 50 to 70%. Most of the studies were performed in people smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day. What limited evidence there is suggests no overall difference in effectiveness of different forms of NRT nor a benefit for using patches beyond 8 weeks. NRT works with or without additional counselling, and does not need to be prescribed by a doctor. Heavier smokers may need higher doses of NRT. People who use NRT during a quit attempt are likely to further increase their chance of success by using a combination of the nicotine patch and a faster acting form. Preliminary data suggests that starting to use NRT shortly before the planned quit date may increase the chance of success. Adverse effects from using NRT are related to the type of product, and include skin irritation from patches and irritation to the inside of the mouth from gum and tablets. There is no evidence that NRT increases the risk of heart attacks." You can find them online to learn more particulars. But overall, their review of studies suggests that NRTs are more effective than placebo, i.e., cold turkey. However, I didn't have time to dig further to see how NRTs stack up against these types of forums or other counseling. Of course it would be difficult to assess how anything, including NRTs, measures up to those who "go it alone", because they most likely wouldn't be participating in studies. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/22/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 322 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 12,880 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $2,189.60 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 45 [B]Hrs:[/B] 11 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3

I know one thing for sure this is a waste of time. :| [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/20/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 324 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,832 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,240.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 78 [B]Hrs:[/B] 20 [B]Mins:[/B] 42 [B]Seconds:[/B] 59

Despite some unhelpful reactions to the topic, it would appear that the discussion is not closed. The information that Jazz gave would prove my point that for the moment we simply do not know if the NRT's really do have an effect or not. I would be very interested in hearing the results of the tests being carried out. For sure I can change my mind and possibly even promote the use of NRT's if sufficient evidence were around to support their use. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Deck you still don't get it the object of the game is to quit smoking not because of the nicotine - - - - - --------------------------------------------------------------------- I do not agree with the above statement. Firstly, nicotine is of itself harmful to the system regardless of the other products that accompany it in cigarettes. Secondly I wouldn't consider what we are trying to do "quit" as a game. As to my "getting it" or not I will leave this unanswered, as casting aspersions on my capacity to "get it" i.e., "understand" I do not accept. [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/6/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 32 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,120 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $416.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 5 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 14 [B]Seconds:[/B] 33

"If the products were to be given out free by concerned authorities, or even with reduced tax, I might go someway to accepting the idea of their usefullness." Deck, I�m caught between a rock and a hard place on this topic. As you might know, hubby and I are both using the patch for our quits. We are on day 36 now and doing fabulous. One thing you won�t know, is that we�re both part of a stop smoking study initiated by our local health unit and the province. They are studying volunteers (guinea pigs if you will) who are using NRT�s to quit smoking. The volunteers are being followed for one year. I believe the final objective of this program is to gather the statistics and see if the NRT products have helped someone to quit and stay quit for at least a year. With positive results, there is a good likelihood that NRT�s will be made accessible at a considerably lower price. There were approx. 50 volunteers that showed up for the 3 hour session that we attended, and a second session was being held in the afternoon. Each of these volunteers were given free NRT�s of some sort as part of the study. So�..I do believe that concerned authorities are starting to try to make a difference in making these items more accessible in Canada, and hopefully at a lesser cost. As an aside, the presenter at this workshop was excellent, and to boot was an EX-SMOKER!!!. Everything was so much more meaningful when coming from someone who�s been there, done that. (and this person had also tried to quit numerous times, and finally had success using the patch, so who knows. Maybe by this time next year we�ll have more information on whether NRT�s make a difference or not.) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/3/2008 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 35 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 700 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $266.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 3 [B]Hrs:[/B] 18 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 18

Hi all, Old discussion for some......but for new ones it's not. That's why some old timers hang around here............to support the new ones that could be struggling.... and bolster our own commitment. I firmly believe that a successful quit means making a "new" person from the old. That means "new" habits..... "new" routines and solidifying "new" concepts in behavior. Everyone who has a good quit going acknowledges that! You can mourn the old smoking person....or get excited about the new non smoking person. With that said......for some......it is too overwhelming to work on new behaviors, routines and healthy habits while overcoming the physical part of the addiction. NRTs give you some reprieve from the physical, so you can work on new and better routines for you life. Without the positive outlook and solidified new behaviors a quit can be on a rocky road. Nothing is worse than feeling out of your skin. As the commercial goes:.."you got to love the skin your in" I know this may not be the case for everyone who quits. It isn't about not smoking for a time period....but rather making a permenant life style change to remain not smoking for life. If one can't do that going cold turkey than NRTs may be the answer. I didn't expect the nicotine gum to cure me....but I did appreciate the ease off of nicotine gradually so that I could work on a new way of life. Someone here said....."whatever works". I say....AMEN to that. Mercy [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]1/21/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 381 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 7,620 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1,703.07 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 50 [B]Hrs:[/B] 12 [B]Mins:[/B] 23 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58

I'm trying Lainey realy. Any body know how to draw a map and say this is not working. LMAO [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/20/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 323 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,814 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,230.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 78 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 5 [B]Seconds:[/B] 42

Bear, be nice! :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/5/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 338 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 8,450 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,565.90 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 44 [B]Hrs:[/B] 10 [B]Mins:[/B] 10 [B]Seconds:[/B] 12

Hi Sweethart I wonder if he'll ever get it. :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B]3/20/2007 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 323 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 5,814 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $3,230.00 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 78 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 58 [B]Seconds:[/B] 54