To wean oneself from cigarettes means denying the central nervous system a substance that induces pleasure. There are a variety of methods to break the habit. Experts say that before any of these will work, there must be a commitment to quitting.
Smokers receive decreasing doses of nicotine from a patch that adheres to the body.
A different patch is worn daily and is rotated to different parts of the body to prevent skin irritation. Generally involves a six-week program in which patches with decreasing amounts of nicotine are worn. The patch has to be worn faithfully. National studies place the overall effectiveness at 60 percent. Smokers chew gum laced with nicotine to replace the substance found in cigarettes.