6 ways to quit smoking

4. Nicotine lozenge
What it is
The Resolve lozenge, which contains no nicotine but the patented ingredient Cestemenol-350, disrupts the body's ability to metabolize nicotine. Used while you continue to smoke, it gradually reduces the body's desire for nicotine.

Where it's available
Available at drugstores across the country.

Advantages
Don't have to give up smoking cold turkey. Helps curb addiction slowly. Contains no nicotine.

Drawbacks/side-effects
No known side-effects.

What it costs
About $4.30 per day.

5. Zyban (bupropion)
What it is
A mild antidepressant that interrupts dopamine and norepinephrine brain chemicals, and contains no nicotine, which helps curb nicotine-withdrawal symptoms.

Where it's available
By prescription only.

Advantages
Helps level out mood swings. Nonaddictive. Contains no nicotine.

Drawbacks/side-effects
Can cause insomnia, strange dreams and dry mouth. Should not be taken with alcohol or certain medications. On rare occasions, it can cause allergic reactions or seizures, especially in people prone to seizures.

What it costs
About $2.25 per day .**

** Some private health plans cover prescription smoking-cessation drugs, while others cover only the first prescription. To date, Quebec is the only jurisdiction in Canada that covers these types of drugs under its provincial drug plan.

6. Counselling and self-help groups
What they are
Smoking-cessation techniques that, combined with physical aids such as patches or gum, can significantly increase your chances of permanent success.

Where they're available
Across the country in hospitals, churches and community centres. Programs are also available online.

Some examples include:
• Nicotine Anonymous (www.nicotine-anonymous.org) holds drop-in meetings in many cities across Canada.
• SmokEnders (www.smokenders.com) offers a step-by-step program to help smokers "unlearn" how to smoke.
• Health Canada's E-Quit program (www.hc-sc.gc.ca) offers free supportive daily e-mail messages. (Teens can check out www.quit4life.com.)
• Quit smoking manuals from the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca) and Ontario Lung Association (www.on.lung.ca). To order a kit, call 1-888-566-5864 (LUNG).
• The Smokers' Approach to Stopping Smoking offers a video and counselling session with Dr. Frederic Bass, the medical director and founder of the B.C. Stop-Smoking Program. Available from the Public Broadcasting Group Inc. for $24.95 (plus shipping and handling); call 1-866-757-5573.

For more info on quit-smoking programs near you, contact your provincial smoking hotline.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-800-363-5864, www.smokershelp.net
• Prince Edward Island: 1-888-818-6300
• Nova Scotia: 1-877-513-5333
• New Brunswick: 1-877-513-5333, www.smokershelpline.ca
• Quebec, 1-866-527-7383, pq.lung.ca and www.jarrete.qc.ca
• Ontario: 1-877-513-5333, www.smokershelpline.ca
• Manitoba: 1-877-513-5333
• Saskatchewan: 1-877-513-5333
• Alberta: 1-866-33A-ADAC, alberta.quitnet.com
• British Columbia: 1-877-455-2233, quitnow.ca
• Nunavut: 1-866-877-3845
• Northwest Territories, call your public health unit or 1-800-0-Canada
• Yukon: 1-800-661-0408 (ext. 8393)

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