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The health hazards of smoking are no secret, but smokers still find it quite difficult to quit. The vast array of stop smoking programs available can complicate matters, making it difficult to decide which program will work best for each individual smoker. Each smoker requires a program that best suits his or her individual needs.

One of the methods used in stop smoking programs is hypnosis. Hypnosis to stop smoking has many advantages. It requires no drugs or tobacco substitutes and can be very effective. It is accepted by the medical world as a legitimate tool for smoking cessation. The main two drawbacks are that repeat sessions may be needed and that not everyone can be hypnotized.

Quitting smoking can be a difficult process. There are, however, medications that can be used to help by blocking the urge to smoke. A prescription is required, and like all medications, anti-smoking drugs can have side effects. One must consider, however, that continuing to smoke can be worse than the expense and side effects associated with these medications.

Some people choose to use an herbal remedy to stop smoking. Different herbs and mixtures of herbs may help people quit. For example, the herb lobelia may mimic nicotine and help wean a smoker off cigarettes in the same way that a patch does. However, not all herbs work for all people, so each smoker may need to try a number of products before finding an effective treatment.

There are some stop smoking programs that incorporate some type of acupuncture. Usually this treatment involves very small needles that are painless. These needs are strategically placed to motivate the body's energy channels and help conquer the desire to smoke. A surgical staple in the ear is another technique that is sometimes used. The staple stays in the ear until the patient has quit smoking.

Stop smoking programs, no matter what their methodology, must provide individual counseling and group support. Programs must realize that smoking is both a physical and a psychological addiction. Some programs consist of quitting cigarettes cold turkey and then relying solely upon counseling to overcome psychological addiction. You can't overcome a smoking addiction without being counseled in some form.