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Interactive Tool: How Much Is Smoking Costing You? - What's next?

Quitting smoking can be difficult, especially if you have been smoking for a long time. It may take several tries before you succeed. But even if you have a strong dependence on nicotine, it is still possible to quit. And even if you have smoked for many years, quitting smoking now can still increase your life span and improve the quality of your life.

The best way to stop smoking is to get help and to follow a plan. You can increase your chances of quitting if you:

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  • Take medicines such as bupropion (Zyban) or varenicline (Chantix).
  • Use nicotine replacement therapy (gum, lozenges, patches, or inhalers).
  • Get counseling (by phone, group, or one-on-one).

Taking medicine and getting counseling works even better for quitting smoking.

Source: Healthwise (2004). Cost of smoking calculation formula: (Average number of cigarettes smoked per day/20) X (Cost for a 20-cigarette pack) X 365 X (Total number of years the person has smoked or intends to smoke).

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 11, 2011
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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