The vast majority of cigarette smokers started before the age of 21. And most of them, once addicted, wish they never started.

There’s no right, wrong or “best” way to stop smoking. What works for one person may not be good for another.

However, the American Medical Association recently reported that a combination of nicotine patch plus nicotine lozenge seems to be one of the most effective methods to help smokers quit.

Results were based on clinical trials that grouped motivated individuals by techniques that included prescription medications, nicotine replacement methods and counseling.

Previous studies similarly measured combinations of the patch with nicotine gum or nasal spray and showed that the patch is most effective when coupled with another nicotine delivery method.

Since smoking is medically recognized as an addiction, cold turkey is falling out of favor as a way to stop.

Weaning yourself from the drug while using techniques or distractions to stay motivated is recommended.

Psychological counseling, buddy system, acupuncture, hypnosis, exercise, diet … all these can help support a healthy desire to quit.

Very few people are able to quit on the first try, but those who persist, do succeed.