By now you’ll know there are many different ways you can go about quitting smoking. What you might not know is that some methods are less well researched so it’s hard to really know how much they help. However, if you want to try these methods, seek advice and carefully read this section.
Hypnotherapy
The aim of hypnotherapy for supporting quitting may be to:
- put suggestions in people's non-conscious mind to weaken the desire to smoke
- strengthen someone’s will to stop
- improve their ability to carry through a treatment program.
The usefulness of hypnosis for quitting smoking has not been thoroughly studied, with research producing conflicting results. It has not been shown that hypnotherapy increases the likelihood of quitting in the long term, although counselling or other treatments that may be offered with it can be helpful to some smokers.
E-Cigarettes
On the 1st January 2009, electronic cigarettes (‘e-cigarettes’) were banned in Victoria. This means that the sale, possession and use of nicotine in the form of an e-cigarette in Victoria is against the law. This decision was made because there is a lack of evidence that e-cigarettes are safe to use, or that they help people to quit smoking.
Limited independent research has been carried out on e-cigarettes to assess toxicity levels or the safety of the ingredients in them. Quit believes this research needs to be carried out and then assessed by a relevant government authority in the same way as other substances, such as nicotine replacement therapy, are assessed.
Smokers should be aware that until further research has been undertaken, the dangers of using e-cigarettes remains unknown.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves treatment by applying needles or surgical staples to different parts of the body. Related treatments include acupressure, laser therapy, and electrostimulation.
There is no clear evidence to support the use of acupuncture or related treatments as a quitting aid by themselves. Acupuncture may be more effective when combined with counselling or skills training.
Switching to lower nicotine and tar
More than half of all Australian smokers mistakenly believe that weaker tasting cigarettes (previously known as 'light' and 'mild' cigarettes) are less dangerous. There is no evidence that smokers of weaker cigarettes have less risk of smoking-caused diseases than smokers of other cigarettes.
Some people who smoke believe that by switching to weaker tasting cigarettes they will inhale less nicotine and other chemicals. These cigarettes are designed with tiny holes in their filter to dilute the smoke with air, so it seems less harsh. But research shows that there is little difference in the levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide and other toxins inhaled by smokers of weaker cigarettes compared to smokers of regular cigarettes. This is because smokers generally take more frequent and deeper puffs of these cigarettes to get the amount of nicotine they are used to. There is no evidence that switching to weaker tasting cigarettes reduces addiction or helps smokers to quit. Read more about ‘Light' or ‘low tar' cigarettes .
Filters and filter blockers
Filters and filter blocking products (such as drops) are used to help people gradually reduce the amount of smoke they inhale from each cigarette. However, some smokers may make up for the drop in nicotine by inhaling the smoke more deeply or smoking more cigarettes. There is not enough evidence to recommend these products as useful quitting aids.