A Statement from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare on 2008 Update to the U.S. Public Health Service Guideline on Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May. 07 /PRNewswire/ --

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare, marketer of the leading smoking cessation products including Nicorette(R) gum, NicoDerm(R) CQ(R) patch, and Commit(R) lozenge, applauds the release of the updated 2008 U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Guideline on Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Too many smokers lower their chances of quitting by relying on cold turkey approaches to become tobacco-free. The Guideline is an important validation of the need for clinicians to recommend the use of effective tobacco dependence counseling and medication. The Guideline reflects considerable progress in tobacco cessation research over the past decade to help identify the most effective strategies at reducing tobacco dependence.

We believe the 2008 update is of particular significance as it includes the addition of the Commit nicotine lozenge which can reliably increase long-term smoking abstinence. The Commit lozenge is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with quitting smoking, has a groundbreaking dosage selector (Time to First Cigarette) so a smoker can choose the strength that's right for them and provides low, safe doses of nicotine to ease withdrawal from cigarettes.

The updated Guideline reflects the distillation of thousands of research articles, and continues to recommend nicotine replacement products (NRT), such as Nicorette gum and NicoDerm CQ patch, as a first-line therapy for quitting, as they "increase significantly rates of long-term smoking abstinence."(1)

GlaxoSmithKline's NRT brands offer a step-down therapy to help smokers break their dependence on tobacco and safely wean off nicotine. Clinical trials have demonstrated that these brands double a smoker's chances of quitting versus placebo.(2) They are extensively proven to significantly reduce cravings and other withdrawal symptoms during quitting, allowing smokers to focus on behavior change. More than 110 clinical trials involving more than 40,000 participants and extensive consumer use over more than 20 years have proven the safety and efficacy of NRT when used as directed.(3)

Since becoming available without a prescription in 1996, GSK's NRT smoking cessation brands have helped millions of people around the world quit smoking and, as a result, have significantly reduced their exposure to the risks of cancer and other smoking-related diseases.(4)

GSK Consumer Healthcare offers smokers a variety of customized quit-smoking resources, including tools and information at http://www.Way2Quit.com, free proven tailored quit plans through and free access to GSK-certified stop-smoking counselors weekdays at 1-877-NO-ASHES where a smoker can develop an individualized support plan and receive customized tips from experts.

Quitting smoking is the most important step smokers can take to improve their health -- and it's also one of the most difficult. By developing innovative new products and support systems to improve the quit experience, GSK Consumer Healthcare is working to inspire and enable every smoker to quit.

(1) Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. May 2008. (2) Fiore MC, Bailey WC, Cohen SJ, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. June 2000. (3) Stead LF, Perera R, Bullen C, Mant D, Lancaster T. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD000146. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000146.pub3. (4) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of FDA-approved pharmacologic treatments for tobacco dependence. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2000; 49: 665-668.