Laser Treatment to Quit Smoking

Many feel smoking is an addiction they just can't get rid of...but quitting is just too hard. That's why the habit still claims the lives of 450-thousand Americans every year.... making it the leading prevenatable cause of death in the United States. But a permanent solution may been found.

Now there's lasers to help you quit smoking.

Studies show it's worked in Canada and Europe for 20 years. Now it's being tested here in Grand Rapids.

Doctor Jim Radford of the New Beginnings Laser Institute is testing a low level laser. It's a pulse of light that goes into skin and absorbs it and actually more energy in body and help raise certain chemicals. Including your endorphin level. When you smoke your endorphins increase.... and when they go back down...you crave a smoke... the lasers keep endorphins up..meaning no cravings.

The 16 minute, $300 procedure only needs to be done once. But Dr. Radford says the laser isn't the only thing smokers need to help them kick the habit. They have to want to quit. The FDA has not approved this laser. Doctors like Dr. Radford are participating in a clinical trial.

The laser has shown to be 90-percent effective in the first six months and 50-percent after that. Compare that to only 25-percent who use the patch or 10-percent who quit cold turkey.

For more information you can call the New Beginnings Laser Institute at 616-975-0174.