Smoking is the most important preventable cause of cancer in the world. Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of mortality. Smokers who quit smoking reduce their risk of developing and dying from tobacco-related diseases. Approximately two-thirds of smokers say that they want to quit, and over 50 percent of smokers report that they tried to quit in the past year. Nicotine is a potent psychoactive drug that causes physical dependence and tolerance.
In the absence of nicotine, a smoker develops cravings for cigarettes and symptoms of the nicotine withdrawal syndrome. Symptoms peak in the first three days of smoking cessation and subside over the next three to four weeks. Symptoms include increased appetite and weight gain, changes in mood (dysphoria or depression), insomnia, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and restlessness. Pharmacologic treatments …
