Smoking rates have fallen appreciably in the last decade, driven by sharply higher cigarette taxes, public smoking bans, and changing mores that have made the activity basically unacceptable in many social circles.

Millions of Americans have attempted to quit smoking during that time, with varying degrees of success. Smoking is addictive, making quitting a difficult task for most people. There are a variety of treatments for individuals trying to quit, with varying degrees of efficacy. Hypnosis is popular but not terribly effective, for example, and while nicotine substitutes like patches and e-cigarettes can work, these still subject the smoker’s body to the harmful effects of nicotine, so some of the same risks remain.