Blocbemklll-MellSflt'eS thiocyanate and cotinine (a metabolite of nicotine) levels were selected as biochemical markers to confirm smoking cessation diary reports. Saliva was collected at three different times, frozen, and analyzed in batches by the American Health Foundation in Valhalla, New York.

Saliva was chosen as a body fluid because it is easy to collect, its collection is acceptable enough for the subject (compared to a venipentesis), and it is resilient enough to record continuous stops. Unlike intravenous cotinine (which drops after 24 hours) and exhaled carbon monoxide (which has a shorter half-life), salivary cotinine lasts for a few days after quitting. Our test points are 2 weeks and 10 weeks after the specified exit date. The data of two groups and several groups were statistically analyzed. Statisticians do not know which group is the active group and which is the placebo group.

The study was reviewed by the Human Experimentation Review Board at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Yonkers, New York. Results 52 smokers completed questionnaires and smoking diaries before starting the study. Those who did not complete the task were not included in the study. So 42 smokers formed the study cohort; They were randomly assigned to an active group or a placebo group. Fourteen subjects in the treatment group and 16 subjects in the control group completed all appointments, diaries, and biochemical measurements.

Table 1 summarizes the demographics, smoking behaviors, and motivations of the two groups. No differences were found in gender, age, smoking frequency, or motivation. Motivation was self-assessed using a seven-point scale (seven = high motivation). There were 5 cases of abscission in the silver acetate group and 7 cases in the control group. Two subjects in the silver acetate group and one in the placebo group stopped smoking, which was confirmed by cotinine and thiocyanate levels. No statistical test of significance was applicable to compare this small group of dropouts. Data were analyzed first, including those who had not completed treatment.