Smoking cessation physician

Smoking is one of the most powerful addictions because nicotine acts extremely rapidly, reaching receptors in the brain less than ten seconds after inhalation. This repeated stimulation produces dependence in three dimensions: physical, with neurochemical withdrawal causing irritability, food cravings and anxiety; psychological, with cigarettes used to manage negative emotions, stress or loneliness; and behavioural, through automatic habits associated with coffee, driving or social breaks. The smoking cessation physician is trained to address all three components together.

During the initial assessment, the physician measures the body's exposure to smoke by testing carbon monoxide in exhaled air and quantifies nicotine dependence using the Fagerström score. Previous attempts to stop are reviewed to understand the causes of any relapses, such as insufficiently anticipated weight gain, work-related stress or inadequate doses of nicotine replacement. On this basis, the physician develops an individual protocol combining suitable nicotine replacement products, such as transdermal patches with fast-acting oral forms including gum or sprays, or specific drug treatments, while agreeing a target quit date with the patient.

A major benefit of specialist follow-up is the prevention of relapse over the medium term. The physician teaches practical cognitive and behavioural strategies for countering automatic urges to smoke, including controlled breathing, alternative activities and managing triggering cues. Regular consultations allow replacement doses to be adjusted gradually, preventing withdrawal without creating residual dependence, while recognising each milestone in abstinence.