King Hussein Cancer Center adopts a number of smoking cessation treatments

However, several international studies have been carried out to reveal a number of smoking cessation therapies and nicotine substitutes, such as: nicotine patches, nicotine gums or lozenges, and nicotine sprays; in addition to non-nicotine prescription medicines like Pfizer's latest breakthrough Champix (Varenicline) which comes in tablet form and works by blocking nicotine from binding to the receptors in the brain.

On his behalf, Dr. Feras Hawari, Chief, Section of Pulmonary / Adult Care Department, and Director of Smoking Cessation Program at KHCC said, "It is important to benefit from the efforts put into medical and clinical studies by international pharmaceutical companies; therefore, we need to closely observe all the available smoking cessation therapies in Jordan, and study the efficacy of them locally before recommending the suitable smoking cessation program for each patient."

Tobacco dependence is a chronic, relapsing, physical and psychological condition, and is considered the leading preventable cause of premature death. However, by quitting, smokers improve their chances of surviving lung cancers and heart disease.

By involving a doctor, smokers can now improve their chances of quitting successfully through receiving effective counseling, proper assessment, and the right treatment for the right duration of time.

It is good to note that Jordan has intensified its efforts to ban smoking in public places, as it ranks 10th in the world in terms of laws that prohibit smoking in public places.