Smoking is bad for health--that's undisputed. But for millions of smokers, quitting smoking seems nearly impossible.<br />According to UPI, a new study published in JAMA Tuesday shows a program that combined phone counseling sessions with medication produces strong results.<br />A program with telephone counseling sessions and one of two smoking cessation drugs was 50% more effective than telephone consultations alone.<br />Among patients who had four bi-weekly and three monthly counseling sessions and either Wellbutrin or Chantix, 35% were able to quit smoking.<br />Smoking cessation assistance should be an integral part of cancer care and sustained tobacco support can be effective for cancer patients who smoke. Elyse R. Park, Study Co-Author Associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
