Other pharmacological interventions including varenicline and sustained-release bupropion hydrochloride are also common in smoking cessation. The cost of these interventions appears to be relatively small with the average smoker ranging from $250 to $2,330 (Salize et al
Individuals who smoke throughout their life decrease their life expectancy by 10 years (Quist-Paulsen, 2008). While many individuals who smoke have expressed the desire to quit, only five percent who attempt to stop without a formal intervention are successful (Smith, 2009)
Health care practitioners should educate their patients on the dangers of smoking, the preventable nature of smoking-related diseases, and the benefits of quitting (O'Donovan, 2009). In fact, physicians are required to ask all patients about any smoking behaviors and should encourage smoking cessation in all persons who report smoking (Thy, Boker, Gallefoss, & Bakke, 2007)
These substances are responsible for the pleasant effects experienced in smoking such as increased pleasure, improved mood, increased attention, and weight loss (Carrozzi, Pistelli, & Viegel, 2008). Chronic exposure to nicotine increases expression of nicotine receptors in the brain and lead to a tolerance of nicotine's physiological effects which causes increased dependence and withdrawal symptoms at cessation (Wang et al
According to the report, THPA's implementation of the "New Smoking Cessation Policy on the 1st of March 2012 to expand smoking cessation counseling services to both outpatient and inpatient settings." (Li et al