Calling it quits

Quitting smoking is an annual ritual, but it often takes more than one try. More than 70% of the 50 million smokers in the United States have made a prior attempt, and 46% of smokers try to quit each year, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. To best defeat the odds of relapse, "Consult your physician, get advice, plug into programs," suggests Normal Edelman, MD, of the American Lung Association. Here's what you should know about common options:

* The nicotine patch, which steadily releases small amounts of nicotine into the body, is especially useful for very heavy smokers so they don't go through intense withdrawal. Consult a doctor first.

* Herbal cigarettes are marketed as safe alternatives to nicotine and tobacco, but they're still dangerous because they contain carcinogens such as tar and carbon monoxide.

* Acupuncture, which stimulates the nervous system and neurotransmitters in the brain, is often used as a complementary treatment. Research has been contradictory.

* Hypnosis can be useful for both quitting and minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Studies reported in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis show that many patients need only one session for smoking cessation.

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