A group of doctors in Boston in the United States said that the orthodoxy that the success of attempt to quit smoking is sure with the help of nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), including gums, patches and sprays, is wrong.

The doctors have challenged the rule of nicotine patches saying it does not allow smokers to stay off tobacco for a long term as compared to those going cold turkey.

Murray Jarvik was very excited to prove a point. A psychologist from University of California had proved in an experiment years ago that nicotine can be absorbed through skin as well. Also, he proved that it could divert smokers from their habit. However, there was no evidence about three decades ago in 1984 during his experiment that nicotine itself was a key addictive ingredient in tobacco.

As per his experiment, adrenaline began to pump as that in smokers and heart rate increased. On being refused to test the substance on patients, he tried it on his own skin as well as on his assistants and found out that transdermal administration of nicotine was possible. He was overjoyed, says the report.

However, the National Tobacco Campaign in Australia that is involved in the operation of Quitline, too, supports NRT as against going cold turkey. But, now Boston doctors have proved that the usage of nicotine substitute contributes to demoralization of smokers' decision to kick their habit. This might be because of the reason that they expect an easy ride in their attempt.

"Often it takes many attempts for somebody to become smokefree. Anybody who's tried will tell you, the quitting is easy, it's the staying quit that's hard. So keep trying if you are unsuccessful as every attempt will bring you closer to being smokefree", said Bridget Rowse, Northland District Health Board Smokefree co-ordinator.