Coping with the sequelae of smoking cessation

It is vital that cardiac patients stop smoking and remain abstinent. Unfortunately, many smokers, including those most motivated to avoid cigarettes, return to their smoking habit within a year after cessation. This paper reviews programs and techniques to stop smoking, and the psychologic and biologic consequences of smoking cessation. Emphasis is placed on ways in which to cope with the sequelae of smoking cessation in order to avoid relapse.