Researchers recommend 'double-whammy' for smokers to increase quit rates

Pulse missed the real story here, that regardless of group assignment, participants receiving greater than 90 minutes of telephone counseling generated a whopping 36% six-month cessation rate. In fact, the study's dual pharm product use findings are troubling. With nearly 40% of current nicotine gum users hooked on the cure, it is highly irresponsible to study and advocate dual NRT use while ignoring evaluation of chronic long-term chemical dependency upon NRT and/or bupropion. Neither this study or its companion clinical trial presents any evidence that any study participant actually broke nicotine's grip upon their mind and life. None. Imagine pronouncing those using multiple avenues to stimulate brain dopamine pathways as having been most successful, when blood, saliva and urine were not examined to determine if stimulation by quitting products actually ended. What percentage of this study's successful quitters remain hooked on nicotine lozenges today? We don't know. Does informed consent demand that smokers be warned of their odds of getting hooked on the cure? Absolutely! New Year's is by far the biggest quitting day of the year. I saw an older BBC survey showing that almost 90% of all long-term ex-smokers quit smoking cold turkey. At WhyQuit we've tried to build a counseling and support site that insulates quitters from pharm industry marketing tactics while teaching the keys to successful abrupt nicotine cessation. If you work for the NHS I hope you'll expore the site and consider referring cold turkey quitters to us. Still only one rule providing a 100% guarantee of success ... no nicotine today! John R. Polito - Nicotine Cessation Educator