Myths About Quitting Smoking

Myth 1: Smoking Relieves Stress

Smoking increases anxiety and tension because it elevates your heart rate. Nicotine cravings are what creates stress in smokers, and a nicotine hit after a period of withdrawal will satisfy these cravings and reduce stress. Therefore, smokers are under the impression that smoking is relieving their stress, when in reality, it may be generating their anxiety. ¹

NICORETTE® gives you a controlled dose of nicotine to help with stress-related withdrawal symptoms. Instead of using cigarettes, you can find new ways to relax and deal with stress – even the stress associated with quitting.

Myth 2: Willpower is the Best Way to Quit

In fact, people who try quitting cold turkey have less chance of stopping smoking for good compared to people who use NICORETTE®. Quitting cold turkey can be especially hard because you’re dealing with the physical withdrawal symptoms at the same time as you’re kicking the habit. Instead, using NICORETTE® is clinically proven to double your chances of successfully quitting smoking versus willpower alone.²

Myth 3: Nicotine is Bad for You

Some people worry that using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help them quit will be just as bad for their health as smoking cigarettes. It’s not true.

It’s cigarette smoke’s harmful chemicals, such as arsenic and formaldehyde which can cause cancer.³

Nicotine causes you to become addicted to smoking, and using NRT lets you reduce the cigarettes you smoke. By reducing the amount of tobacco smoke, you inhale, you also reduce the associated health risks.

Discover Facts about Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

Myth 4: NRT is More Expensive Than Smoking

Lots of smokers are unaware of how much their smoking habit costs. The figures can be shocking when you add up how much you spend over a decade. Yes, NRT costs money, but it’s very unlikely that it’s as expensive as smoking.

Certain NRT products may cost more per packet than cigarettes, but in the long run they’ll add up to far less. The costs of NRT only apply in the short term, because it’s designed to help you wean off nicotine. Just think of what you can do with the money you save in the long run.

Use our Savings Calculator to find out how much you can save after quitting smoking.

References

1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02979.x
2. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000146.pub5/full
3. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cessation-fact-sheet#what-harmful-chemicals-does-tobacco-smoke-contain