Other approaches to quitting
Alternative therapies
Cutting down
Alternative therapies
Alternative ways of stopping smoking include hypnotherapy, acupuncture, aromatherapy and herbal remedies. Although some people have reported finding alternative therapies helpful in quitting, often because they were a helpful aid to relaxation, they are not tested in the same clinical ways as the other treatments described on this website.
We have listed the main alternative therapies used to help people stop smoking below.
The most effective proven means of quitting smoking are those detailed elsewhere on this site, and No Smoking Day does not endorse the use of any alternative therapy.
If you do choose to use an alternative therapy, please make sure that the practitioner you use is qualified with the relevant professional body.
Hypnotherapy
Some therapists offer hypnotherapy as an alternative way to give up smoking. It helps you to relax when you get the desire to smoke or helps strengthen your determination to quit.
Some people report that hypnotherapy does help them to stop by helping them to relax when they get the desire to smoke, although it is not a clinically proven quit method.
To find out more about how hypnotherapy, or to find a local practitioner, call the National Council on 01451 810500, or visit www.hypnotherapists.org.uk.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese therapy using needles to stimulate what its practitioners claim are energy points in the body.
There is little clinical evidence to support the success of acupuncture to help people to stop smoking, but some people have claimed it helped their attempt to quit.
To find out more about acupuncture, or to find a local practitioner, call the British Acupuncture Council on 020 8735 0400 or visit www.acupuncture.org.uk.
Other therapies
Other therapies make claims to help those attempting to stop smoking, including aromatherapy, massage, herbalism and homeopathy.
The British Complementary Medicine Association can suggest approved therapists in your area. They can be contacted on 0845 345 5977 or by visiting www.bcma.co.uk.
Cutting Down
The most effective way to stop smoking is to quit completely. It’s the best option for your health and there’s plenty of support available from the many stop smoking aids and services. Without cutting out cigarettes once and for all, there’s always a risk that your use will increase again in the future.
Whilst the best possible option is always to stop, using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) whilst cutting down can help smokers who are not yet ready to stop to move closer towards stopping smoking for good.
The process of giving up smoking whilst using NRT requires you to cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke by half and to use nicotine gum or an inhalator to support you.
You should continue to cut down with a view to stopping smoking after around six months. You can then continue to use the NRT to help manage your cravings, gradually weaning yourself off.
If you want to find out more about cutting down and stopping your pharmacist can advise. Support is also available from the helplines.