[Smoking cessation using the transdermal nicotine system]

There are a lot of methods for smoking cessation but transdermal nicotine system (TNS) is one of the most popular. On a sample of more than 300 smokers we have formerly shown that TNS achieves higher abstinence rate than placebo (38%:21%). In the present study we have tested the optimal administration of TNS. 160 smokers were subdivided in 4 groups of 40, receiving either TNS or placebo, for 3 or 6 weeks. The abstinence rate was evaluated by appropriate questionnaires and measuring CO in the exhaled air. After 3 weeks of TNS 60% of the examinees were abstaining compared to 50% after 6 weeks; the abstinence rates in the placebo groups were 17.5% and 20%, respectively (p < 0.05). Short TNS treatment (3 weeks) is at least as effective as a longer one (6 weeks), which is relevant both medically and economically.