Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Why Quitting Smoking Takes More Than Simple Willpower
Quitting smoking can be difficult because nicotine changes the brain’s reward system.
Smoking can also become connected to routines such as drinking tea, eating meals or taking work breaks.
Stress and alcohol may make people want to smoke more.
One way to begin is to delay cigarettes and slowly make the gaps between them longer.
Nicotine gums and patches can help reduce cravings without exposing people to the harmful substances created by burning tobacco.
Herbal patches do not have the same level of supporting evidence.
Apps can help people track their habits, but they may not be enough by themselves.
Counselling, medicines and behavioural support can make quitting easier.
Smoking can harm many parts of the body even when breathing problems are not obvious.
Identifying triggers such as coffee, meals, stress and alcohol can help people gradually reduce smoking.
Delaying cigarettes and increasing the time between them may reduce smoking frequency, but quitting completely should remain the goal.
Nicotine gums and patches can manage cravings, while herbal patches lack comparable evidence.
Apps may help track smoking, identify triggers and monitor progress, but counselling or medicines may be more effective after repeated failed attempts.
Smoking can harm blood vessels and increase risks affecting the heart, brain, circulation, multiple organs and overall healing.
- Who
- People who smoke, particularly those trying to reduce or quit, and Dr Akshat Malik, senior consultant and head of head and neck oncology at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi.
- What
- Medical guidance explains why smoking is difficult to quit and discusses gradual reduction, nicotine replacement, apps, counselling and health risks.
- When
- The article does not specify when the guidance was given.
- Where
- The guidance is attributed to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi.
- Why
- Nicotine dependence and links between smoking and routines, emotions and situations can make quitting difficult.
- Main quitting strategy
- Identify smoking triggers, delay cigarettes and gradually increase the gap between them.
- Long-term goal
- Reducing smoking should ideally lead to quitting completely.
- Nicotine replacement
- Nicotine gums and patches provide nicotine without the harmful substances produced by burning tobacco.
- Herbal products
- Herbal patches and similar products do not have the same supporting evidence as established cessation methods.
- Apps
- Apps can track smoking, identify triggers, set targets and monitor progress.
- Additional support
- Counselling, medicines and behavioural support may help people who have repeatedly tried to quit.
- Health effects
- Smoking increases the risks of heart attack, stroke, poor circulation, several cancers, fertility problems, bone and oral health issues, and slower wound healing.