Cold Turkey vs. NRT: Why the Most Common Quit Method Is Still the Least Effective
The majority of quit attempts use no pharmacological support—cold turkey. The success rate: 3-5%. With NRT: 15-25%. The gap between the most common and the most effective methods is a public health failure of communication and access.
Cold turkey costs nothing, requires no healthcare access, and has a 3-5% success rate. NRT costs $30-50 for two weeks, requires a pharmacy visit, and has a 15-25% success rate—three to five times higher. **The gap between the most common quit method (cold turkey) and the most effective (pharmacotherapy) is not a knowledge gap—smokers know NRT exists. It's an access gap and a cultural gap: NRT costs money, requires healthcare engagement, and is stigmatized as 'cheating.' Closing the gap requires making NRT free and changing the culture of quitting.**
