Say goodbye to a safe non-drug smoking cessation aid

CigNo is no mo.

An HSI member named Peggy writes: “I have been searching for information (for my sister) about CigNo Spray. The cigno.com website no longer exists and the one web address I found (on Yahoo) that claims to have it, the order submit button goes to a 404 error page.

“Where can I get this natural product for my sis? She has several serious health issues and has tried everything– including Chantix–trying to quit smoking and is so discouraged.”

First, I hope Peggy’s sister has stopped using Chantix, which has been linked with some pretty severe adverse side effects, including suicide, violent rages, and blackouts. In fact, the FAA won’t even allow pilots to use Chantix because the side effects are so dangerous. (And thank you very much for that, FAA!)

But no more CigNo? Say it ain’t so!

I’ve mentioned this terrific product in several e-Alerts, so it’s a little disappointing to find it’s been discontinued. Oddly, I can’t find any information about why it was taken off the market. But if you told me a drug company bought it and shut it down, I’d believe that in a heartbeat.

CigNo was a convenient and safe over-the-counter alternative to Chantix and other powerful smoking cessation drugs. The active ingredient was Plantago Major–a botanical that reduces cigarette cravings by creating a natural aversion to tobacco.

In an early study, 24 heavy smokers were given Plantago Major tincture in a nasal spray. More than 80 percent of the subjects reported an immediate aversion to the taste of cigarettes. The effect lasted as long as 24 hours for some subjects.

So where can Peggy’s sister turn for a non-drug aid to quit smoking?

She could start by finding an experienced herbalist who can provide her with some form of Plantago Major. (The CigNo form was ideal and easy: a sublingual spray.)

Other Plantago products include gums, lozenges, and capsule supplements. To find them, just Google or Bing or Yahoo “Plantago Major” and you’ll find a number of different products to help get started on a life without cigarettes.

And I’ll keep digging to see what I can find out about Cig- No…

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson