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Australia

"Laser smoking cure latest snake oil: expert"

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Published: 10 Mar 2008

Category: Other

Rating: (4 stars)

what they said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

IT TAKES less than half an hour, involves a small pen light and promises to halt a lifetime of heavy smoking in one session, but experts are warning the latest instant cure for nicotine addiction may not be such a miracle.

The original article can be found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/03/09/1204998283775.html

how did it rate? (more information)

Criteria	Rating
Total Score	7 of 9
Novelty of Treatment	Satisfactory (?)
Availability of Treatment	Satisfactory (?)
Treatment Options	Satisfactory (?)
Disease Mongering	Satisfactory (?)
Evidence	Satisfactory (?)
Quantification of Benefits of Treatment	Not Satisfactory (?)
Harms of Treatment	Not Satisfactory (?)
Costs of Treatment	Satisfactory (?)
Sources of Information	Satisfactory (?)
Relies on Press Release	Not Applicable

what we said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

This is a good article about a new treatment for smoking. The article talks about the lack of evidence for basing the intervention on and the issue of possible deception in advocating an intervention which in all likelihood does not work but costs a large amount of money. The repoter has gone to three independent sources all of whom question the validity and even the legality of this intervention. The article, by delivering this amount of detail, serves its readership well. It would have been good to know if there were any harms associated with the treatment (apart from the cost). The benefits are not based on a trial rather the therapists own anecdotal evidence.

public forum

(16 Feb 2010) derek blois writes,

"My wife and I have recently tried to quit smoking.After reading of a miraculous reaction to a laser.We were impressed
We went to the website and gave our details to get a pdf info sheet.My wife then received a phone call promoting a testimonial on "A current affair" to be shown that evening.They also told us the cost could be paid for on a weekly basis and that she had had the treatment and it was fantastic.We jumped in thinking that after the show,they would be innundated and we would have to wait longer.
We had the treatment 3 days later and it consisted of a joint conversation of approx 1/2hour telling us that without the craving the laser therapy eliminated the only problem was our thought patterns.To correct our thought patterns we had to think through our desire to smoke knowing we now had no more cravings.We then had our individual laser treatments which consisted of 20mins having a hand held light device shone on ears,feet,knees,elbows and face.
The consultant who gave us the therapy and the talk said that he had stopped doing acupuncture for quitting smoking because it didn't work.
The principle of the treatment appears to be if you still want to smoke after the full treatment,they are prepared to talk you though any mental anguish you have on the premise you have no cravings.If you have continued struggles they will perform extra laser treatment (at additional cost)and then there would definitely be no craving leaving only your misguided thought patterns.You can call them any time for a pep talk.
This of course failed miserably after three days.My wife had called for help as she still wanted to have a cigarette but was told that she didn't have cravings but had a problem with the way she was thinking about not smoking.This seemed to me a very clever "catch 22".
Our doctor has prescribed (gov assisted) an antismoking medication. Laser treatment is nothing but cold turkey with a warm but expensive chat"
(this comment has been moderated)

Media Doctor response,

"Thank you for sharing your experience. We hope you and your wife are successful in giving up smoking.

Media Doctor"

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