If you really want to quit, Zyban (generic name Welbutrin) is the shiznit. The generic version was covered by my Blue Cross of Tennessee prescription drug plan, no less.

One thing no one told me about Zyban: you don’t just stop smoking, though you may find yourself smoking fewer cigarettes after a week or two. You still have to make yourself quit. It’s just a lot easier on Zyban, and success rate seems to be higher.

It’s been five years since I last polluted my temple. I quit a bunch of times before that (up to a year and a half one time).

Zyban – a quit smoking aide

Welbutrin – an anti-depressant in a close category with Prozac.

Am I crazy to be smoking? Yes. But do I want them to think I use a drug that possibly demonstrates my diminished mental capacity? No. An Additional FYI, according to the instructions, similar to Prozac, Zyban and Welbutrin take 10 days to kick in and affect your mental capacity, either to be not depressed or quit smoking.

Good Luck!

I was on zyban in 1999 to quit smoking. All was going as planned until a 4:00 in the morning ER visit where my throat swelled shut. I had a slight reaction to it.

And this nicotine gun tastes like ass.

(My mother quit when I was about 12; my Dad still smokes)

From the outside looking in, it’s difficult for me to imagine being that dependent on anything. I drink, sometimes heavily, but also go weeks at a time without doing so, and never because I “need” a drink. I think that’s the source of much friction between smokers and non-smokers: the non-smoker can’t really understand or appreciate how deeply the cravings run.

One thing I have noticed, anecdotally, however, is that ex-smokers seem to be even worse than never-smoked people in terms of complaining about smokers and nagging people to quit.