HereToRockYourWorld said:

I copy/pasted relevant info from here: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/to...01370.html


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P06-67
May 11, 2006

FDA Approves Novel Medication for Smoking Cessation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today the approval of Chantix (varenicline tartrate) tablets, to help cigarette smokers stop smoking. The active ingredient in Chantix, varenicline tartrate, is a new molecular entity that received a priority FDA review because of its significant potential benefit to public health.

Chantix acts at sites in the brain affected by nicotine and may help those who wish to give up smoking in two ways: by providing some nicotine effects to ease the withdrawal symptoms and by blocking the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if they resume smoking.

The effectiveness of Chantix in smoking cessation was demonstrated in six clinical trials, which included a total of 3659 chronic cigarette smokers who were treated with varenicline. Five of the six studies were randomized, controlled clinical trials in which Chantix was shown to be superior to placebo in helping people quit smoking. These smokers had previously averaged 21 cigarettes a day for approximately 25 years. In two of the five placebo-controlled studies, Chantix-treated patients were also more successful in giving up smoking than patients treated with Zyban (bupropion).

PANDURITO said:

I'm a little alarmed, though. I quit a couple years ago, but I'm STILL getting older!

sag10 said:

You're welcome.

I think it's because of my old age now, but I find smoking to be a repulsive habbit, even if I don't actually find the act of smoking itself unsitely. I have friends who smoke, but I can't help but think that when I enter a bar and see people walking around in pre-cancerous states holding cigaretes.

CarrieMpls said:

Cool!

My nut sac!!! NNooooo!!!

Why do people start smoking in the first place, seriously? I've never in my whole life ever felt tempted.

sextonseven said:

For me it was easy. My friends smoked and I thought they were cool. So at 19, I started.
I quit at 26/27, and now at 35 I have no urge. It's even kind of gross.


THough I like clove cigs. They're nice--but I don't feel addicted to them.

Imago said:

None of my friends smoked in high school or college. In college everyone just got drunk. It's remarkable that I'm not an alcoholic with all the drinking that was going on around me then.

Or maybe I am and I'm in denial.

sextonseven said:

I never wanted to smoke, but when you're drunk, maybe you grab a cigarette as a joke "look at me I'm smoking!" Then it happens again and again and suddenly you're a smoker.

sextonseven said:

My Parents smoked all the time, a lot of my friends smoke, and some drink.
I never found these things interesting. Nveer smoked, and I rarely drink.
Every time someone tried to get me to smoke, I just refused. I don't like the smoke and I don't find it appealing. It stinks, it's expensive, and it's addictive.

sextonseven said:

The boy I liked when I was 17 smoked.

It's positively shameful.

But the first time I really, really smoked was when I went through a pack listening to a Morrissey album in my parent's basement. I liked the way it made me feel. I thought it was sexy and a little bit bad ass. And then everyone I knew smoked. Smoking is a great way to meet people, anywhere. Ask for a light in a bar, strike up a conversation on break at work, blah blah blah, etc.