Avoid any "100 guarantee" product or service to stop smoking

Several services send me daily updates on news items, blogs and other postings on anything to do with tobacco issues. I'm always amazed at the amount of misinformation available and the products that guarantee a smoker will quit. That 100% guarantee should be the tip off that it's just a 100% guarantee that they want your money. Every method will work for some individuals but no method will work for everyone. Many products “work” because of a placebo effect or the belief or positive expectation that it will work. Trying some of these products or services can be harmless but others can have devastating effects. Here are some products and services that have not been shown to be effective:

  

• Acupuncture: No evidence to support efficacy as a cessation method in research studies.
• E-cigarettes: A battery operated devise, not regulated by the FDA that vaporizes nicotine and propylene glycol. No independent safety studies. Mainly produced in China with no safety standards for manufacturing. A small study by the FDA showed some harmful chemicals and inconsistent levels of nicotine. Cannot be advertised as a cessation devise.
• Hypnosis: Anecdotal stories as to efficacy but insufficient evidence to support hypnosis as a cessation method.
• Lobedia: Also known as Indian tobacco, a substance chemically similar to nicotine that used in tablets, gum and vitamins pills. Marketed as a substance to help with nicotine withdrawal. Controlled studies have not shown it to be effective. Banned by the FDA in 1993 as a cessation medication.
• Silver Acetate: A crystalline substance often an ingredient in chewing gum that is claimed to produce a repulsive taste when combined with cigarette smoke. No beneficial effects for cessation have been shown in randomized clinical studies.
• Smokeless tobacco or snus: Tobacco products that held in the mouth. Different products have varying levels of harmful components. Linked to cancers of the mouth, tongue, gums, lips, and cheeks. Causes cavities, tooth loss, stained teeth, gum disease. Swallowing spit can cause heartburn, ulcers and cancers of the voicebox, esophagus, and parts of the throat and stomach. Increases blood pressure and heart rate. May contain more nicotine than cigarettes.
• Welplex: An injection consisting of a combination of atropine, scopolamine and chlorpromazine (thorazine). This combination may cause a temporary mental break including hallucinations, heart palpitations, paranoia and possible coma. Not approved by the FDA for smoking cessation. Atropine is used to dilate the eyes. Scopolamine is used for motion sickness. Chlorpromazine is used for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia.