Three ways to quit smoking

In the study, 20 healthy adult smokers smoked their usual brand for a week and then followed a six-week regimen of smoking cigarettes with progressively decreased nicotine content.

At the end of this period, they were free to return to their usual commercial cigarette brand, and most of them did. When tested one month later, they were smoking about 40 percent fewer cigarettes per day, with a comparable reduction in nicotine intake, compared to when the study began. Even more promising, one fourth of the smokers quit smoking entirely while the study was in progress, the researchers found.

“This study supports the idea that if tobacco companies were required to reduce the levels of nicotine in cigarette tobacco, young people who start smoking could avoid becoming addicted, and long-time smokers could reduce or end their smoking, [study leader Neal] Benowitz [MD] said.

Of course, that requires a more patient approach. A more direct approach: take a shot that interrupts the brain's ability to enjoy nicotine.

A shot that robs smokers of the nicotine buzz from cigarettes showed promise in midstage testing and may someday offer a radically new way to kick a dangerous habit. In a study, more than twice as many people given five of the shots stopped smoking than those given fewer or phony shots - about 15 percent versus 6 percent after one year....

The study tested NicVAX, a vaccine designed to "immunize" smokers against the rush fueling their addiction. It's made by Nabi Biopharmaceuticals of Boca Raton, Fla.

The treatment keeps nicotine from reaching the brain, taking the fun out of smoking and hopefully making it easier to give up. Some nicotine still gets in, possibly easing withdrawal, the main reason quitters relapse.

And if that doesn't work? Turn to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints:

Mormons (a nick name) are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They believe in a teaching known as the “Word of Wisdom” which teaches that they should not use coffee, tea, alcohol, or tobacco.

The stop smoking lesson has been extremely successful because it teaches people how to stop the nicotine fit, or longing that often makes it so hard for people to quit. The missionaries use the lesson manual to teach people 15 steps to follow for seven days.

I don't know what the 15 steps are because you have to go to a web site and request a PDF, but you need not be a Mormon missionary to make such a request, so head on over!