(Image Source: Brain Posts)

 
BY LAISHI ZHOU
 
Trying to quit smoking? Turns out patches might not be the answer. A new study from researchers at Harvard and MIT find nicotine replacement products, such as patches and gum, don’t prevent relapses. Here’s CBC.

“It tracked 787 adults over a 5-year period between 2001 and 2006, and it found that, in fact, these nicotine replacement therapies – the most popular of which nicotine gum or the patch, that are not effective in stopping people who are trying to quit smoking. In fact a third of people who quit smoking -- they end up having a relapse.”

According to The Great Lakes Advocate, the US government spent more than $9 million last year alone on nicotine replacement patches for people who were trying to quit. The researcher tells the Telegraph, those millions now seem like a waste.

“… using public funds to provide NRT to the population at large is of questionable value, particularly when it reduces the amount of money available for smoking interventions shown in previous studies to be effective, such as media campaigns, promotion of no smoking policies, and tobacco price increases.”

And WebMD reports, this study could have a massive effect on the nicotine market -- where patches are big business.

“Sales totaled $45 million in 1984, when nicotine gum was introduced. Since 1997, sales have totaled more than $800 million annually. ‘The findings of this study cast doubt on the relative effectiveness of NRT [nicotine replacement therapy] as a population strategy’ the researchers write.”

So, how should people go about quitting? Some say willpower and other outside factors matter more. The CEO of the Cancer Council of New South Wales tells the Sydney Morning Herald

“…‘over-reliance on a treatment-based strategy is unwise,’ and taxation and legal changes combined with social marketing campaigns were crucial to provide an environment amenable to quitting.”

But, after all that -- GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare -- which makes smoking cessation products, tells The LA Times that other trials have shown nicotine replacement therapy is effective.

“‘Hundreds of clinical trials involving more than 35,000 participants and extensive consumer use for more than 20 years have proven both the efficacy and safety of NRT when used as directed,’ … ‘NRT products have helped millions of smokers quit by gradually weaning them off of their tobacco addiction and is recommended as a first-line therapy for quitting.’”

 

Sci/Health News: Study: Nicotine Replacement Therapies Don't Work

Nicotine Patches, Gum No Longer the Solution?

January 10, 2012
(2:30)
A new study shows nicotine replacement products might not help smokers quit.
   
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