Fort Simpson (Feb 14/03) - There's a small, half-moon-shaped nicotine patch on Robert Byatt's right shoulder.

It injects nicotine into his bloodstream to ease his withdrawal symptoms from cigarettes. Byatt has been using the patch since October, decreasing the nicotine dosage over time by using smaller patches.

Robert Byatt wears a nicotine patch designed to wean him off cigarettes. He's been down this road before, so he isn't sure if he'll never smoke again. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo

He said he has found it very effective, especially during the initial stages of quitting smoking. Yet stressful occasions and certain social settings still make him want to reach for a cigarette.

"The psychological bit starts to creep back in," he noted.

Byatt said he gave up smoking because of the cost and potential adverse effects on his health. A pack-a-day smoker for close to 25 years, he has tried to quit many times in the past. Using the patch, he once quit for the better part of a year. He isn't very optimistic that he has kicked the habit for good this time either.

"I don't have a lot of confidence. Whenever I start smoking again, I know why I really don't want to smoke any more," he explained. "Although I happily get into the habit because of a whole host of reasons, psychological and habitual. It's something to do, it's an avoidance mechanism."

Dr. Shane Barclay said the nicotine patch is a fairly popular smoking cessation aid, as well as Nicotine gum and products such as Zyban.

The downside to the patch is that studies show 60-70 per cent of people who use it start smoking again later, Barclay noted.

"They (the nicotine patch and nicotine gum) address the nicotine addiction component of smoking, they don't address the habit component of smoking," he said.

There may be some side effects, too. Some people get a rash. Byatt said he's experienced "really vivid" dreams since he began using the patch. Byatt also tried Zyban but said it left him feeling numb, so he stopped using it.

Barclay said Zyban has been known to cause headaches and stomach irritation, and can interfere with some other medications.

While no smoking cessation aid is 100 per cent effective, Barclay said, they are better than nothing.

"But the big thing is self-motivation," he said.