Quit Smoking
Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mix of more than 7,000 chemicals; hundreds are harmful, and about 70 can cause cancer. Smoking increases the risk for serious health problems, many diseases, and death. People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk for disease and early death. Although the health benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, there are benefits at any age. You are never too old to quit.
- Health effects of flavored tobacco and nicotine products:
- Health effect of e-cigarettes, vapes and hookah:
How to Quit Smoking
Start Your Quitting Journey Today:
Quit-smoking products: Boost your chance of success
Want to stop smoking? Several quit-smoking products approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can help you stop for good.
Using quit-smoking products can greatly increase your chance of success. Only about 5% of people who try to quit tobacco succeed without a quit-smoking product. Many more succeed when using one.
Your chance of successfully quitting is even better when you combine counseling with one or more quit-smoking products.
Types of quit-smoking products
Quit-smoking products fall into two main categories:
- Nicotine replacement products. Options include patches, gum, lozenges, spray and inhaler. Although some are available without a prescription, it's best to talk with your doctor before trying them.
- Medications. Two medications that don't contain nicotine are available by prescription.
Any of these products can help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms — making it more likely that you'll stop smoking for good.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gotten attention as an alternative way to quit smoking. But e-cigarettes aren't an FDA-approved quit-smoking product. They aren't as safe as nicotine-replacement products. Nor are they more effective in helping people stop. In fact, many people who use e-cigarettes to stop smoking end up using both products rather than quitting.
Nicotine patch
Nicotine patch
Overview
The nicotine patch is a small, self-adhesive patch that releases a slow, steady amount of nicotine into your body through your skin. You apply a new nicotine patch every day on a hairless area of skin between your waist and neck, such as your upper arm or chest.
Pros
The nicotine patch:
- Is available in various doses without a prescription
- Is easy to use
- Can control nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms for 24 hours at a time
- Can be used in combination with other quit-smoking aids
Cons
The nicotine patch:
- Can't quickly adjust the amount of nicotine you receive if you have sudden cravings or withdrawal symptoms
- May cause skin itching, rash or irritation where it's applied
- May cause insomnia or vivid dreams
- Must be replaced every 24 hours
Nicotine gum
Nicotine gum
Overview
Nicotine gum contains a small amount of nicotine. The nicotine enters your body as it's absorbed through the lining of your mouth when you use the gum according to directions.
When you first start using nicotine gum, you can use a piece every one to two hours, up to 24 pieces a day.
You must follow a specific biting technique for nicotine gum to work effectively:
- To release nicotine from the gum, bite a piece until it has a peppery taste or you notice a tingly sensation in your mouth.
- To let the nicotine absorb, hold the gum between your gumline and cheek until the taste or tingly sensation stops.
- To release more nicotine, bite and hold again.
- Repeat the cycle for about 30 minutes. Then discard the gum because all the nicotine in it has been used.
Pros
Nicotine gum:
- Is available without a prescription in two strengths
- Can control sudden nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Can be used in combination with other quit-smoking aids
Cons
Nicotine gum:
- Must be used repeatedly throughout the day to control cravings or withdrawal symptoms
- May cause mouth irritation, jaw soreness, heartburn, hiccups or nausea
- May stick to or damage dental appliances
Nicotine lozenge
Nicotine lozenge
Overview
Nicotine lozenges are tablets that contain a small amount of nicotine. You place a lozenge between your gumline and cheek and suck it slowly, allowing it to dissolve. The nicotine enters your bloodstream as it's absorbed through the lining of your mouth.
Pros
Nicotine lozenges:
- Are available without a prescription
- Can control sudden nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Are available as mini-lozenges that deliver nicotine more rapidly
- Don't require chewing and don't stick to dental appliances
- Can be used in combination with other quit-smoking aids
Cons
Nicotine lozenges:
- Must be used repeatedly throughout the day to control cravings or withdrawal symptoms
- May cause mouth irritation, hiccups, heartburn or nausea
Nicotine inhaler
Nicotine inhaler
Overview
The nicotine inhaler is a device that gives you a small dose of nicotine. When you puff on the nicotine inhaler, nicotine vapor is released from a cartridge inside the device. The nicotine enters your bloodstream as it's absorbed through the lining of your mouth and throat.
Pros
The nicotine inhaler:
- Can control sudden nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Allows you to control the dose of nicotine you receive
- Keeps your hands busy
- Can be used in combination with other quit-smoking aids
Cons
The nicotine inhaler:
- Is available only by prescription
- Must be used repeatedly throughout the day to control cravings or withdrawal symptoms
- May cause mouth or throat irritation
- May not be a good choice if you have a breathing condition such as asthma
Nicotine nasal spray
Nicotine nasal spray
Overview
The nicotine nasal spray delivers a solution into your nostrils that contains a small dose of nicotine. The nicotine enters your body by being absorbed through the lining of your nose. The recommended dose is one to two sprays in each nostril once or twice an hour.
Pros
Nicotine nasal spray:
- Can control sudden nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Works faster than other nicotine-replacement products
- Allows you to control the dose by using the spray as needed throughout the day
- Can be used in combination with other quit-smoking aids
Cons
Nicotine nasal spray:
- Is available only by prescription
- Must be used repeatedly throughout the day to control cravings or withdrawal symptoms
- May cause nasal and throat irritation, rhinitis, sneezing, coughing or watery eyes
- May not be a good choice if you have a nasal or sinus condition
Bupropion
Overview
Bupropion is a prescription medication classified as a type of antidepressant. An extended-release form of bupropion is approved to help people stop smoking.
Bupropion is thought to decrease tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms by increasing the levels of certain brain chemicals.
It takes several days for bupropion to achieve effective levels in the blood. You typically should start taking bupropion a week or two before you quit smoking.
Pros
Bupropion:
- Is a pill, so it's relatively easy to use
- Can be used in combination with other quit-smoking aids
- May reduce the weight gain many smokers experience after quitting cigarettes
Cons
Bupropion:
- Is available only by prescription
- Must be taken twice a day
- May cause dry mouth, headache or insomnia
- May cause changes in mood or behavior, which should immediately be reported to your doctor
- Is not recommended if you have seizures
Varenicline
Overview
Varenicline is a prescription medication that can help reduce cravings for tobacco and control nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It also blocks nicotine receptors in your brain, which decreases the pleasurable effects of smoking.
It takes several days for varenicline to reach effective levels in the blood. You typically should start taking varenicline a week or two before you quit smoking.
Pros
Varenicline:
- Is a pill, so it's relatively easy to use
- Can be used in combination with other stop-smoking aids
Cons
Varenicline:
- Is available only by prescription
- Must be taken twice a day
- May cause nausea, insomnia, and vivid or strange dreams
- May cause changes in mood or behavior, which should immediately be reported to your doctor
For more information:
Need more help to quit smoking?
The most effective strategy to quit smoking for good is to combine a quit-smoking product with a program that includes support from professionals trained to treat tobacco dependence. Consider joining a community stop-smoking group or starting in-person or telephone counseling.
The UCSF Fontana Tobacco Treatment Center offers classes as well as individual consultations with health care professionals trained in treating tobacco addiction. We help smokers maximize the likelihood of quitting for good.
The center was named in memory of Jeanne Fontana, who was grateful to the center for helping her overcome her addiction to cigarettes. She made the Fontana Tobacco Treatment Center a beneficiary of her trust to fund current programs and establish an endowment to support future programs.
The center's services include:
- Stop Smoking/Vaping/Chewing Class. This four-week interactive course focuses on smoking and health, addiction, motivation and strategies for quitting. The class is led by Suzanne Harris, a registered nurse and certified tobacco treatment specialist; Lisa Kroon, a pharmacist and tobacco treatment specialist; and Sonia Sharma, a physician assistant and tobacco treatment specialist.
- For more information this class:
- https://www.ucsfhealth.org/services/stop-smoking-classes
- Freedom From Smoking/Vaping/Chewing Support Group. This group is for graduates of the Stop Smoking/Vaping/Chewing Class, including those who aren't yet smoke free. It provides extra support to help people become and stay smoke free. The class meets on Mondays at the Mount Zion campus from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
- For more information about this support group:
- https://www.ucsfhealth.org/services/stop-smoking-support-group
No referrals are required to make an appointment or enroll in a class.
- See a video on YouTube for more information about the center.
SF Quit Tobacco-Free Support Group and Resources
Get a FREE SF Quit Kit:
"Stop Smoking Guide" from Stop Smoking SF
- Why should I quit?
- How do I quit?
- What if I start smoking again?
- How can I help someone quit?
Did you know getting help to quit smoking is a Medi-Cal Benefit?
Tobacco Cessation Services
You can get help to quit smoking or stop using tobacco. Services include two quit attempts per year for non-pregnant adults of any age. During each quit attempt, you receive:
- 90 days of FDA-approved tobacco cessation medicines on SFHP’s formulary such as nicotine replacement therapy and other medications to lessen tobacco cravings
- 4 sessions of individual, group, or telephone counseling that are each at least 10 minutes long
For more information:
https://www.sfhp.org/quit-smoking/
2021 Quit Smoking Resources from Breathe California for Programs beyond SF
https://www.ggbreathe.org/quit-smoking-resources/
California Smokers' Helpline
The California Smokers' Helpline offers free services to help tobacco users quit. For more information, visit www.nobutts.org or call (800) NO-BUTTS.