Now is the time to quit smoking

By John Scott

It's impossible for anyone on the planet not to be aware that smoking tobacco causes a number of usually fatal diseases. Almost every country has graphic pictures on the packets showing lungs riddled with cancers. The local Surgeon Generals plaster warnings alongside the pictures. Shops are often required to keep their stocks of cigarettes off the shelves so that impulse buying is ruled out. Age limits are more strictly enforced. Bans on smoking in public places are slowly spreading. Tobacco is heavily taxed in many countries so the retail prices are a deterrent. Even in the US, there’s major litigation against the tobacco companies for misdescribing cigarettes as "safe". The most recent decision of the Supreme Court confirms an action over the advertising of "Lite" cigarettes can proceed. In short, everything that can reasonably be done, is being done to encourage people to quit. But millions of people still smoke. No matter what you say to people, nicotine is a highly addictive substance.

The market for drugs to help people quit is growing fast. Even in countries which have previously resisted the idea of promoting public health, more people want to quit. But, many find they do not have the willpower to deal with the withdrawal symptoms. They need help. This opportunity for the pharmaceutical companies has not gone unnoticed and, almost without exception, they all have products on the market or about to launch that will ease the symptoms and allow people to go smoke-free. Then we have all the herbal remedies and, if all else fails, hypnotism and other alternative cures. Where there is money to be made, entrepreneurs get creative.

When the anti-obesity drug acomplia was under development, researchers noted it was also effective in helping people deal with addictive behavior. Since then, there have been a number of trials to test the possibility of marketing the drug independently as an aid to quit smoking, deal with alcoholism, wean people off recreational drugs, and so on. The largest studies among smokers have included up to 6,500 participants followed for one year with impressive results. Despite the initial refusal of the FDA to grant approval for acomplia as a drug for smoking cessation, Sanofi-Aventis is going forward with a different version for a projected launch in the near future. This is a growing market as more people respond to the government campaigns to educate the public about the risks of smoking. In anticipation of formal approval being given next year, you can buy acomplia now and find out just how effective it is.

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