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Nicotine Patch Effective in Smoking Cessation

A report in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health confirms the nicotine patch, now available over the counter, is effective in helping smokers quit the habit.

In a double blinded study at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, researchers studied 958 smokers, divided into 3 groups, receiving either a placebo patch, a free patch and a group who were required to pay for the patch.

The 24 week study revealed that there was no difference between the subjects who received the patch for free and those who paid for them.  The group who received the placebo had lower abstinence levels.

The researchers report that the abstinence rates were similar, although somewhat lower than similar studies.  The authors suggest that this may be because this particular study did not offer clinical intervention, which is known to be effective in a successful smoking cessation program.

The authors conclude that although over the counter nicotine patches offer an important health benefit, healthcare providers need to take an active role, combining supportive counseling as well as nicotine patches to smokers who want to quit.

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