Smokers are twice as likely as nonsmokers to develop peptic ulcers. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which may increase the risk of getting an ulcer by:

• Causing the stomach to produce acid.
• Reducing the stomach's production of mucus, which helps protect the stomach from acid.

Smoking slows the healing of your ulcer and makes it more likely that an ulcer will come back.

If you want to stop smoking, medicines can help you reach your goal:

• Nicotine gum, skin patches, and nasal spray can help if you are addicted to nicotine.
• Clonidine, given as a pill or through a skin patch, may help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
• Bupropion hydrochloride (such as Wellbutrin or Zyban), which is taken as a pill, may help some people stop smoking.

Quitting smoking can be difficult. People who are most likely to succeed are those who keep trying, even if they have tried several times before, and who complete a program to stop smoking. Hypnosis and acupuncture do not help most people who are trying to quit. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.