EDUCATION

Ways To Stop Using Tobacco

Over-the-counter Methods
Purpose of Medicines Insurance often pays for these medicines
as long as they are prescribed by a health
These medicines are used to remove care provider.
cravings or lower them to a level you
can manage.
Nicotine Gum or Lozenge
If your cravings are still severe while using What are they?
these medicines, call your doctor or tobacco
counselor for help in making changes to — Gum slowly releases nicotine into your
dosages or medicine. mouth when you chew it and “park” it
between your cheek and gums.
When cravings are less intense and less
often, they allow you to focus on figuring — Lozenge slowly releases nicotine when
out how to live your life without tobacco. it dissolves in your mouth.
Sometimes this is as simple as changing • Lozenges are
a habit. available in
Other triggers, such as stress, can sometimes regular and
take longer to figure out how to cope mini forms.
without tobacco use. Keep using medicines The mini
until your new routine and coping skills is made to
feel comfortable for you. dissolve more
quickly and
has a different
texture.
It tends to
work faster
than the regular form. Check with your
insurance company to see if the mini
lozenge is covered.
— They are both available in 2 mg and
4 mg strengths.
How to use:
— Chew the gum slowly until a peppery
taste comes out. Then, put the gum
between your cheek and gums and hold
it there until the taste goes away. This
can take at least 2 to 3 minutes. Repeat
this process until the gum loses its taste.

(over)
 Use each piece of gum for about Advantages: You have something in your
30 minutes. mouth, you control how much you use and
— Put a lozenge in your mouth and let when you use it, you can carry it around,
it dissolve for about 20 to 30 minutes. and it’s easy to use.
Move the lozenge from one side of Disadvantages: You may not use enough
your mouth to the other. gum or lozenges each day and each week
• Do not chew or swallow it as it may to get the benefit.
make you feel sick and you will absorb
less nicotine. Nicotine Patch
• Try not to eat or drink 15 minutes What it is:
before and 15 minutes after using the It is a sticker
gum and lozenge. (Sips of water are that releases
OK.) If you do, the nicotine may not a steady dose
work as well. of nicotine
through your
Dosing:
skin. This
— One piece of 2 mg gum is about equal reduces your
to one cigarette. The 4 mg is about equal craving for
to 2 cigarettes. nicotine.
— A 2 mg lozenge is about equal to How to use:
1 ½ cigarettes. The 4 mg lozenge is
— Put a new patch on a clean hairless place
about equal to 3 cigarettes.
on your upper body when you wake up.
— You can use a 2 mg nicotine lozenge
— Press for 10 seconds to help it stick to
or gum if you use tobacco later than
your skin.
30 minutes after you wake up. You can
use a 4 mg dose if you use tobacco within — Run your fingers around the edges of
30 minutes of waking up. patch.
— If the 4 mg dosage is too strong, try the — When you take it off, fold the patch in
2 mg dose. If you use nicotine lozenges half so the sticky sides touch each other.
or gum with patches, you may want to Throw it away where children and pets
use the 2 mg dosage. can’t get to it.
Side effects: — Wash your hands after touching the
patch.
— The most common side effects are
hiccups, upset stomach, heartburn or jaw — Try to change it at the same time every
pain. These should go away if you use day closest to when you wake up. If the
the medicines the correct way. patch does not stick well, use rubbing
alcohol to clean the area first.
Length of treatment: Try to spread the use
of the medicines during the day. They can — Wear the patch for 24 hours each day.
also be used when you have a craving or If you have sleep issues, remove the
when you know you are about to have one. patch before bedtime and replace
with one as soon as you wake up.
For example, if you usually smoke when Remember to change the location of the
you drive, start using the gum or lozenge patch each day to avoid irritating your
15 minutes before getting in your car. skin. Avoid using the same area for
Then it will work well by the time you 2 weeks, if possible.
need it.
Important: Do not cut the patch.

2
Dosing: Disadvantages: It takes 1 to 3 hours before
— There are 3 dosages of patches. the first patch you use begins to help with
Here’s how to choose where to start: cravings.

• If you smoke 11 or more cigarettes each Talk with your doctor before you take any
day: start with the 21 mg patch (Step 1). over-the-counter aids if you are pregnant
or if you take any prescription medicine.
• If you smoke 10 or fewer cigarettes
each day: start with the 14 mg patch Nicotine pre-loading
(Step 2).
If you are not ready to quit or if you feel
• As you wean off the patches: use the
anxious about quitting, try nicotine pre-
7 mg patch (Step 3).
loading. This is a proven method to help
— If you smoke more than 1 pack a day, reduce your overall craving for smoking
you may need to add another patch. while you choose how often you smoke.
You can also add a short-acting nicotine
replacement therapy (NRT) option like You may use NRT such as gum, patches,
gum, lozenge or inhaler. Ask your doctor lozenges and the Nicotrol® inhaler while
or tobacco counselor about what’s right you smoke.
for you. Please be aware of how you feel when you
— Use your highest dosed patch for at least smoke. If you feel nauseated, “jittery” or if
6 weeks. You can use it longer if you your heart beats faster, stop using tobacco for
need it. the moment. These feelings mean your body
is telling you there is already enough nicotine
— When you are ready to step down,
in your system. This can mean you need less
stay on each level of patch for at least
tobacco than you thought.
2 weeks.
— Use each After quitting tobacco, stay on NRT, weaning
Did You Know off it slowly. The process can take for at least
level of
patch Smoking while wearing 4 weeks or longer, if needed.
as long a nicotine patch (or other Combination therapy
as you forms of nicotine replace-
think ment therapy) does not This is when more than one type of quitting
you need cause heart attacks. tobacco medicine is used at the same time.
to. There For example, using nicotine patches and
is no real deadline. nicotine gum at the same time.
Side effect: The most common side effects This works especially well if you smoke more
are skin rash and sleep problems. than one-half pack a day. This increases your
Length of treatment: chances of quitting. Talk with your doctor,
Use it for at least 12 weeks. Remember to go pharmacist or tobacco counselor about what
off the patch slowly. Talk with your doctor dosages are right for you.
or pharmacist about the right dose for you.
Advantages: You only use it once a day,
and stepping down your dose slowly
reduces your nicotine dose. Your insurance
company may cover the charges if you have
a prescription from your doctor.

3
Other Methods Weaning and delay
The following methods of quitting have been Cut down your amount of tobacco by what
proven to be the hardest way to quit and you feel is a realistic amount every day or
remain tobacco-free. week.

These methods work for only 3 to 6 out of Try putting off the first use of the day by
100 people who try them every year. 1 or 2 hours. For example, start with no
cigarette until 9 a.m. Next day, make 11 a.m.
Cold turkey the earliest you can smoke, and so on.
It means stopping suddenly and completely It is important to set weaning goals to keep
without the help of medicines. you moving forward, with the intention of
a setting a date to fully give up tobacco use.
One day you use tobacco, the next day you do
not. You will notice that your craving will pass This way takes time. It is easy to get
whether you use tobacco or not. If you have discouraged but keep with it. If you have
difficulty quitting cold turkey, talk with your not been able to quit completely within your
doctor about using a quit aid. desired time frame, then talk with your doctor
to consider a quit aid.

Resources
Allina Health Other
(if you had a recent hospital stay)
Quit Partner
Tobacco Intervention Program — 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or
at Abbott Northwestern Hospital [Link]
— 612-863-1648 — My Life, My Quit™ (ages 13 to 17):
Tobacco Intervention Program text “Start My Quit” to 36072 or
at Mercy Hospital call 1-855-891-9989 to talk with a coach
— 763-236-8008 — American Indian: 1-833-9AI-QUIT or
Tobacco Intervention Program [Link]
at River Falls Area Hospital — Spanish: 1-855-DEJELO-YA (1-855-335-
— 715-307-6075 3569) or [Link]/es

Tobacco Intervention Services — [Link]

at Allina Health United Hospital – Hastings online tobacco cessation support
Regina Campus — [Link]
— 715-307-6075 American Lung Association/
*United Hospital Lung and Sleep Clinic Tobacco Quit Line
Tobacco Cessation Program — 651-227-8014 or 1-800-586-4872
— 651-726-6200 financial aid Nicotrol® inhaler
*Penny George™ Institute for Health — 1-844-989-PATH (7284) or
and Healing (LiveWell Center) tobacco [Link]
intervention coaching
Plant Extracts aromatherapy
— 612-863-5178
— 1-877-999-4236 or [Link]
*There may be a cost to you. Check with your insurance provider.
© 2022 ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM. TM – A TRADEMARK OF ALLINA HEALTH SYSTEM

[Link]
OTHER TRADEMARKS USED ARE OWNED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
THIS FACT SHEET DOES NOT REPLACE MEDICAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE; IT IS ONLY A GUIDE.
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