Smoking treatments
Treatment
If you want to stop smoking, several different treatments are available from shops, pharmacies and on prescription to help you beat your addiction andreduce withdrawal symptoms.
The main options are:
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Varenicline (Champix)
Bupropion (Zyban)
E-cigarettes
The best treatment for you will depend on your personal preference, your age, whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding and any medical conditions you have. Speak to your GP or an NHS stop smoking adviser for advice.
Research has shown that all these methods can be effective. Importantly, evidence shows that they are most effective if used alongside support from an NHS stop smoking service .
The treatmentsavailable are outlined below. You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of stop smoking treatments , allowing you to compare your options.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 16 Jan 2017
Treatment
Find out about the medications that can help if you want to stop smoking, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion (Zyban) and varenicline (Champix).
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
The main reason that people smoke is because they are addicted to nicotine. NRT is a medication that provides you with a low level of nicotine, without the tar, carbon monoxide and other poisonous ch
Varenicline (Champix)
Varenicline (brand name Champix) is a medication that works in two ways. It reduces cravings for nicotine like NRT, but it also blocks the rewarding and reinforcing effects of smoking. Evidence sugge
Bupropion (Zyban)
Bupropion (brand name Zyban) is a medication originally used to treat depression , but it has since been found to help people quit smoking. It's not clear exactly how it works, but it's thought to ha
E-cigarettes
An e-cigarette is an electronic device that delivers nicotine in a vapour. This allows you to inhale nicotine without most of the harmful effects of smoking, as the vapour contains no tar or carbon mo
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