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Add years to your life--quit smoking today

	On average, non-smokers live 13 to 14 years longer than smokers. Let ConsumerReportsHealth.org guide you through a treatment regimen that can help you stop once and for all.
	Subscribe to ConsumerReportsHealth.org to compare the efficacy of treatment regimens as diverse as nicotine replacement therapy and acupuncture.

If you or someone you know has a nicotine addiction, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health can help with the best research about nicotine addiction, and expert evidence and advice about how to quit smoking.

Key points about smoking

• Smoking is the biggest cause of death and illness in the United States. Nearly half a million Americans die each year from diseases caused by smoking.
• Quitting smoking reduces your chances of getting heart disease and cancer, and it may help you live longer.
• Most smokers find it hard to quit because they are addicted to nicotine. Nicotine addiction is a serious condition, and you can get help to overcome it.
• You have a better chance of quitting if you use nicotine replacement therapy and if you get professional help.
• An antidepressant drug called bupropion (brand name Zyban) helps many people quit. This drug can help you quit even if you aren't depressed.

Nearly 46 million adult Americans smoke cigarettes. That's more than one-fifth of all adult Americans. Many more smokers are young. Every day in the United States, about 4,000 young people between the ages of 12 and 17 try their first cigarette. Most people who smoke are addicted to nicotine. This is a chemical that's found in tobacco. It doesn't matter whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe, or if you chew tobacco. Nicotine helps your brain make a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine plays a part in making us feel pleasure.

Even with help, quitting can be hard. It's good to keep in mind that out of every 100 people who try, only between 5 and 10 will actually be able to quit smoking on their own. The main thing is to keep trying and to get help if you need it. We encourage you to read our entire condition report and to consult with your doctor to learn more about nicotine addiction. As a Consumer Reports Health subscriber, you’ll have access to our expert research and recommendations, and you’ll be more confident and knowledgeable about which treatments are best for you.