If you've tried to stop smoking on your own or with over-the-counter remedies and haven't had much luck, there are two prescription medications that have proven effective for many people. Zyban, generically known as Buproprion, and Chantix are both prescription pills you take daily to stop smoking.

Dr. Rolly Sullivan says, "Essentially, what it does is it goes to the receptors and stops withdrawal, it just stabilizes the receptors so the smoker is not craving a cigarette every hour or two."

Zyban and Chantix are usually prescribed for 12 weeks, and sometimes should be taken longer to help quit completely. But for the medicine to work, you have to take it correctly.

"Personally as an addictionologist, I think people should stay on these medicines longer rather than shorter," Dr. Sullivan says. "A big mistake a lot of smokers make is they get on the medicines, they work, they think a week later ok I'm cured of the nicotine addiction, they stop their product whatever it is and they relapse to smoking. And I think it's really important that the audience understand that they stay on these medicines at least 3 months before you think about weaning off."

While most insurances don't cover the cost of Zyban or Chantix, they both cost about the same as buying one pack of cigarettes a day.

It's important to note the FDA recently issued a warning on Zyban and Chantix. They FDA advises doctors to closely watch patients taking these drugs for signs of depression, suicidal thoughts and hostility.