Editing Cigarette (section)

== Smoking cessation ==
{{main|Smoking cessation}}
Smoking cessation (quitting smoking) is the process of discontinuing the practice of tobacco smoking.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ped/content/ped_10_13x_guide_for_quitting_smoking.asp| title=Guide to quitting smoking| publisher=[[American Cancer Society]]| date=January 31, 2011| access-date=February 15, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627084514/http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp| archive-date=June 27, 2010}}</ref> Quitting can be difficult for many smokers due to the [[nicotine addiction|addictive nature of nicotine]].<ref name=Benowitz2010>{{Cite journal | author = Benowitz NL | last2 = Benowitz | first2 = Neal L. | title = Nicotine addiction | journal = N Engl J Med | volume = 362 | issue = 24 | pages = 2295–303 | year = 2010 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMra0809890 | pmid = 20554984 | pmc = 2928221}}</ref>{{rp|2300–2301}} The addiction begins when nicotine acts on [[nicotinic acetylcholine receptor]]s to release [[neurotransmitter]]s such as [[dopamine]], [[glutamic acid|glutamate]], and [[gamma-Aminobutyric acid|gamma-aminobutyric acid]].<ref name=Benowitz2010/>{{rp|2296}} Cessation of smoking leads to symptoms of nicotine withdrawal such as anxiety and irritability.<ref name=Benowitz2010/>{{rp|2298}} Professional smoking cessation support methods generally endeavour to address both nicotine addiction and nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking cessation can be achieved with or without assistance from healthcare professionals or the use of medications.<ref name=Chapman-MacKenzie>{{cite journal|title=The global research neglect of unassisted smoking cessation: causes and consequences|vauthors=Chapman S, MacKenzie R |date=February 9, 2010|journal=PLOS Medicine|doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000216|pmid=20161722|volume=7|issue=2|pages=e1000216|pmc=2817714 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Methods that have been found to be effective include interventions directed at or through health care providers and health care systems; medications including [[nicotine replacement therapy]] (NRT) and [[varenicline]]; individual and group counselling; and web-based or stand-alone computer programs. Although stopping smoking can cause short-term side effects such as reversible weight gain, smoking cessation services and activities are cost-effective because of the positive health benefits.

At the University of Buffalo, researchers found out that fruit and vegetable consumption can help a smoker cut down or even quit smoking<ref>{{cite news|title=Fruits And Vegetables May Help Smokers Quit -- And Stay Off -- Tobacco|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/10/fruits-vegetables-quit-smoking-smokers-tobacco_n_1581465.html|work=Huffington Post|date=June 10, 2012|first=Amanda L.|last=Chan|access-date=February 20, 2020|archive-date=June 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612025133/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/10/fruits-vegetables-quit-smoking-smokers-tobacco_n_1581465.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* A growing number of countries have more ex-smokers than smokers.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite journal|title=The Global Research Neglect of Unassisted Smoking Cessation: Causes and Consequences|author1=Chapman, Simon |author2=MacKenzie, Ross|date=February 9, 2010|journal=PLOS Medicine|doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000216|pmid=20161722|volume=7|issue=2|pages=e1000216|pmc=2817714 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
* Early "failure" is a normal part of trying to stop, and more than one attempt at stopping smoking prior to longer-term success is common.<ref name=Chapman-MacKenzie />
* NRT, other prescribed pharmaceuticals, and professional counselling or support also help many smokers.<ref name=Chapman-MacKenzie />
* However, up to three-quarters of ex-smokers report having quit without assistance ("cold turkey" or cut down then quit), and cessation without professional support or medication may be the most common method used by ex-smokers.<ref name=Chapman-MacKenzie />

The number of nicotinic receptors in the brain returns to the level of a nonsmoker between 6 and 12 weeks after quitting.<ref>{{cite web|title=Abstinent Smokers' Nicotinic Receptors Take More Than a Month to Normalize|date=October 2009|url=http://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2009/10/abstinent-smokers-nicotinic-receptors-take-more-than-month-to-normalize|access-date=July 7, 2013|archive-date=June 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625235011/http://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/nida-notes/2009/10/abstinent-smokers-nicotinic-receptors-take-more-than-month-to-normalize|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, the [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] authorized the selling of low-[[nicotine]] cigarettes in hopes of lowering the number of people addicted to nicotine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/17/fda-clears-22nd-centurys-moonlight-and-menthol-moonlight-low-nicotine-cigarettes.html|title=FDA authorizes low-nicotine cigarettes by 22nd Century Group for public sale|last=LaVito|first=Angelica|date=December 17, 2019|website=CNBC|language=en|access-date=December 19, 2019|archive-date=December 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218215542/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/17/fda-clears-22nd-centurys-moonlight-and-menthol-moonlight-low-nicotine-cigarettes.html|url-status=live}}</ref>