As Illinois' limits on smoking near, tools to help quit are rising

chicagotribune.com: "The chemical stimulates receptors in the reward center of the brain to release dopamine, triggering feelings of pleasure. Without regular surges of dopamine, smokers go into withdrawal and experience craving, irritability, anxiety, insomnia and difficulty concentrating.

Two FDA-approved prescription medications offer relief: bupropion hydrochloride, marketed as Zyban and Wellbutrin, and varenicline tartrate, marketed as Chantix. Neither contains nicotine.

Chantix went on the market in 2006. Studies found it can reduce the urge and eliminate the pleasurable effects of nicotine if the smoker does light up."