Many studies show that the most effective way to stop smoking is to involve a clinician. According to the research, you're more likely to quit tobacco products successfully when you do two types of clinical treatments at the same time:

1) Behavioral counseling, which may include exploring your motivation to change, your beliefs about smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes, and your barriers to quitting

2) Pharmacological therapy, which is when you use smoking cessation medications to reduce nicotine cravings, relieve the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, and/or make smoking less pleasurable. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these medications can help double your chances of quitting for good.

It can also help to set a quit date and try to lower your tobacco intake in the time leading up to your final cigarette or vape. You can start pharmacological therapy before or on this quit date. And if you relapse, as many people do, keep trying until you've quit for good. Sometimes staying on smoking cessation medication for a few extra weeks can help you accomplish your goal.

Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal may include irritability, trouble sleeping, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, depression, and increased appetite.

(But before you decide that you don't want to deal with these symptoms, remind yourself that the side effects of smoking include lung disease, emphysema, cancer, and heart disease.)

The more dependent you are on tobacco products, the worse you're likely to feel when you quit. For example, a social smoker might not experience any physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, while someone who always smokes within the first 30 minutes of waking up may need extra support for the first few days or weeks.

How long does nicotine withdrawal last? Symptoms tend to be worse within the first 3 days after quitting tobacco, and then go away after 3 or 4 weeks.

You can help someone stop smoking by first recognizing where the person is in their quitting journey. Motivation theory describes several stages a smoker needs to go through before they can make this positive change in their life.

1) Pre-contemplation stage, when they're not even thinking about giving up smoking, vaping, or chewing tobacco

2) Contemplation stage, when they're starting to consider quitting

3) Preparation stage, when they're actively planning to stop smoking, vaping, or chewing

4) Action stage, when they're actively quitting

5) Maintenance stage, when they've accomplished their goal

To help someone quit smoking, you can try tailoring your support to different stages. For example, someone who's not even thinking about quitting might need more information about how smoking ages the lungs and the skin. Someone who's in the preparation stage might need advice on smoking cessation medication. And someone who's in the action stage might benefit from a financial incentive, like putting $1 in the vacation savings jar for every day they don't smoke.

Your clinician may prescribe one or a combination of treatments based on your health information.

Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) and varenicline (Chantix) are prescription oral medications that don't contain nicotine and work for smoking cessation. Varenicline isn't available through all online clinics.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be short-acting—like a spray, inhaler, gum, or lozenges—or long-acting like a patch. These stop smoking aids are available over the counter (OTC).

Please note: This information is for general reference only. Your clinician will review your symptoms and health history to determine which (if any) treatments are medically necessary.