Cold Turkey Twice as Effective as NRT or Zyban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 20, 2006 -- All real-world performance studies to date suggest that expensive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products like the nicotine patch, gum and lozenge are a total waste of money. In none have NRT quitters performed better than those who quit smoking without them. Now, a May 2006 study survey has found cold turkey success rates twice as high as among those relying upon the nicotine patch, gum, inhaler or bupropion (Zyban and Wellbutrin).

Published in the May 2006 edition of Addictive Behaviors, the survey analyzed 2002 and 2003 patient quitting method data collected by 1,000 Australian family practice physicians. Patients were asked their smoking status, how long since they had last smoked and which of twelve quitting methods they used during their last attempt.

The study established success rates for each of twelve methods by "dividing the total number of successful patients (former smokers) by total number of patients attempting to quit (former plus current) using that method." In analyzing former smokers, it looked at the quitting method used by each former smoker during their last attempt, regardless of the year in which they quit. In assessing current smokers it looked at their last unsuccessful attempt, so long as it occurred within the prior five years. As shown below, the analysis produced rather high success rates.

Success rates among 2,207 former smokers and 928 current smokers were: cold turkey 77.2% (1,942 former, 575 current); nicotine patch 35.9% (145 former, 259 current); nicotine gum 35.9% (52 former, 93 current); nicotine inhaler 35.3% (12 former, 22 current); and bupropion (Zyban or Wellbutrin) 22.8% (36 former, 122 current).

Not only was cold turkey quitting the most effective method -- doubling the rate of pharmacology quitters -- it was by far the most productive method. Successful cold turkey quitters accounted for 1,942 of 2,207 former smokers, a whopping 88% of all success stories.

In theory, all quitting methods should do at least as well as cold turkey. If not, the method has somehow managed to undermine the quitter�s own natural ability to break free from nicotine�s grip. The Australian study shows that NRT and bupropion clearly undercut a quitter's odds. Other methods surveyed came closer to keeping pace with cold turkey.

Reported rates include: family physician assistance, other than counseling 60.2% (71 former, 47 current); herbal preparations 63.2% (31 former, 27 current); hypnotherapy 53.5% (31 former, 27 current); support/counseling e.g. "SmokeStop," "Quitline" 44.2% (19 former, 24 current); self-help materials e.g. quit smoking manual 58.5% (48 former, 34 current); other methods not listed 69.8% (81 former, 35 current).