Myth 1: Smoking is just a bad habit.
Fact: Tobacco use is an addiction. According to the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, nicotine is a very addictive drug. For some people, it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine.
Myth 2: Quitting is just a matter of willpower.
Fact: Because smoking is an addiction, quitting is often very difficult. A number of treatments are available that can help.
Myth 3: If you can’t quit the first time you try, you will never be able to quit.
Fact: Quitting is hard. Usually people make two or three tries, or more, before being able to quit for good.
Myth 4: The best way to quit is “cold turkey.”
Fact: The most effective way to quit smoking is by using a combination of counseling and nicotine replacement therapy (such as the nicotine patch, inhaler, gum, or nasal spray) or non-nicotine medicines (such as bupropion SR). Your health care provider or smoking cessation clinic is the best place to go to for help with quitting.
Myth 5: Quitting is expensive.
Fact: Treatments cost from $3 to $10 a day. A pack-a-day smoker spends almost $1,000 per year. Check with M.H. Consultants