Blood test to help smokers 'find best way to quit'

[Northerner]

A blood test could help people choose a stop-smoking strategy that would give them the best chance of quitting, research in a Lancet journal suggests.

Studies show as many as 60% of people who try to give up start smoking again in the first week.

But researchers argue measuring how quickly a person breaks down nicotine could boost the chances of success.

Other experts say the cost-effectiveness of these extra tests would need to be assessed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30744250

 

[Vicsetter]

Nicotine addiction is no the only reason people smoke. For some it is also a habit and habits do not show up in blood tests and habits are very hard to break, which is why will power is the required to give up. I had to stop using the patches, gum etc as it didn't reduce my smoking but increased my nicotine intake.

 

[Northerner]

Nicotine addiction is no the only reason people smoke. For some it is also a habit and habits do not show up in blood tests and habits are very hard to break, which is why will power is the required to give up. I had to stop using the patches, gum etc as it didn't reduce my smoking but increased my nicotine intake.

I was the same Vic. Tried the patches and as soon as I moved onto the lower-strength patches I started smoking again to supplement them! Chewing gum made me feel sick. I stopped almost 20 years ago to the day after reading Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking. I actually enjoyed the nicotine withdrawal - bring it on! - but the habit took about two years to break, so many occasions when I would normally have a cigarette (and much more opportunity in those days).