A new survey shows half of all smokers regularly drink coffee and smoke at the same time.(1) While smokers may say coffee drinking goes hand in hand with their cigarette, many are unaware that smoking actually affects the way their body processes caffeine.(1) A recent survey conducted by the marketers of Commit(R) Cappuccino shows that while smokers drink almost twice as much coffee as nonsmokers, an overwhelming 86 percent surveyed are unaware that they may need to cut back their caffeine intake when trying to quit.(1)

Studies show that smoking causes smokers to metabolize caffeine faster.(2) As a result, smokers need to ingest more caffeine to get the same effects of nonsmokers.(2) So when a smoker tries to quit, they may end up with more caffeine in their system, and may need to reduce their caffeine intake when trying to quit. In fact, the survey shows that fewer than one in ten smokers (9 percent) know how smoking affects the way their body processes caffeine.(1) Additionally, about one-third of smokers (about 32 percent) do not know that too much caffeine in the blood can be harmful.(1)

According to the survey, almost three quarters (71 percent) of smokers enjoy the flavor of coffee.(1) With the introduction of Commit's cappuccino- flavored lozenge, smokers now have a new flavor of lozenge to conquer their addiction to cigarettes. Like other Commit flavors, Commit Cappuccino provides low, safe doses of therapeutic nicotine to calm withdrawal symptoms in a new, smooth, coffee flavor.(3) The Commit Cappuccino lozenge helps smokers quit successfully by calming nicotine cravings, as well as soothing other withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and irritability, allowing smokers to wean off nicotine gradually and safely.(4)

"It is important smokers understand that they don't need to give up coffee when trying to quit, but by drinking less coffee, they may help their body adjust to life without cigarettes, and avoid caffeine side effects," said Saul Shiffman, PhD, researcher and professor in the departments of psychology and pharmaceutical science at the University of Pittsburgh and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare spokesperson. "The tie between smoking and coffee- drinking is clear and the new Commit Cappuccino lozenge is a great option to help a smoker quit in a safe, effective way. It calms nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while giving smokers the coffee flavor they enjoy without the caffeine."

Other Survey Findings:

-- Among the adults surveyed, smokers drink an average of 2.8 cups of coffee per day, while nonsmokers drink 1.5 cups.(1)

-- Almost half (about 43 percent) of smokers report that drinking coffee makes them want to have a cigarette.(1)

The recent 2008 PHS Smoking Cessation Guideline identified the Commit nicotine lozenge as a first-line treatment that can reliably increase long- term smoking abstinence.(5) The Commit lozenge is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with quitting smoking and uses a unique dosage selector so that smokers can choose the strength that's right for them.(5) For more information, smokers can visit Commitlozenge.com. Visitors can also request a free 24-count of Commit Cappuccino to get their quit attempt started.

About the Commit Lozenge

Commit Cappuccino joins three other lozenge offerings -- Original, Mint and Cherry -- in the Commit family, giving smokers another effective therapeutic nicotine option for smoking cessation. Commit is approved by the FDA to help control craving associated with quitting smoking. Commit has a unique dosage selector based on how soon smokers smoke their first cigarette in the morning, so they can choose the strength that's right for them. Commit comes in different strengths -- 2 mg or 4 mg -- to be used depending on how soon a smoker has his first cigarette in the morning. The 2 mg dosage is for smokers who usually have their first cigarette more than thirty minutes after waking up. The 4 mg dosage is for smokers who usually have their first cigarette within thirty minutes of waking up. The Commit lozenge helps people stop smoking by providing low, safe doses of therapeutic nicotine to ease withdrawal from cigarettes.

About the Survey

Richard Day Research conducted the Internet survey including 1,095 U.S. adults, including 322 smokers, age 18 and older, selected to reflect the adult U.S. population. The survey was fielded in July 2008 through an online panel. The survey was conducted on behalf of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, the industry leader in smoking cessation.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. GSK offers the widest range of proven TN products available, products which can significantly improve a smoker's chance of quitting successfully and have helped millions of people quit smoking. In addition, GSK offers several resources and support services designed specifically to help smokers and nonsmokers understand and address the two components to smoking cessation: nicotine addiction and habit change. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) CQ and Commit(R) as well as many medicine cabinet staples, including Abreva(R), alli(R), Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R), Tums(R) and Breathe Right(R), trademarks owned and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.

References

1. Survey of 1,095 U.S. adults, Richard Day Research. July 2008.

2. Cone EJ. Nicotine and Tobacco. Handbook of Drug Interactions. 2004: 3.2.7.

3. FDA labeling on Commit Cappuccino box. 2008.

4. Henningfield JE. Nicotine medications for smoking cessation. New England Journal of Medicine. 1995;333:1196-1203.

5. 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.

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