Jennifer Matthews: This red laser is going to help astrid struck break an 18-year-old habit.
Astrid Struck: Hopeful that it will be the last day that I smoke.
Jennifer Matthews: Anne Penman found out about this therapy 14 years ago. A heavy smoker at the time, she reluctantly went for the treatment.
Anne Penman: I went along, had one session, came out of there and haven't had a cigarette since.
Jennifer Matthews: Anne developed a program around the laser therapy helping thousands quit smoking in Europe. Now, Anne Penman Laser Therapy Centers are open in the U.S. During the therapy, the laser is placed on pressure points on the ears, nose, hands and wrists to release endorphins.
Anne Penman: So a smoker's endorphins are constantly going up and down like that. What we do with the laser is create a nice balanced effect.
Jennifer Matthews: The therapy is under clinical study. Nurse Diane Poirier is the principal investigator and reviews the results each month.
Diane Poirier: Right now, they are averaging a 69 percent success rate.
Jennifer Matthews: That means 31 percent of patients won't benefit. But more research is backing the therapy. A study done at Middlesex University found nearly all 340 smokers who had four laser therapy sessions stopped smoking.
Andy solo smoked for 35 years. For the first time, Andy can drive his truck without lighting up.
Andy Solo: It makes you feel good. I don't have the cravings that I thought I would have.
Jennifer Matthews: And he finally came true on a promise he made to his grandson. He no longer smokes. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.
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