Smoking kills more than 76,000 people in the UK every year — making it the single most avoidable cause of preventable death. Quitting is hard, but with the right support and products, it’s achievable. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) more than doubles your success rate compared to willpower alone.

Understanding Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine is highly addictive — as addictive as heroin or cocaine in terms of dependency formation. It stimulates dopamine release in the brain’s reward pathways, creating a powerful positive reinforcement. Physical addiction manifests as withdrawal symptoms when nicotine levels drop: irritability, anxiety, poor concentration, headaches, increased appetite, strong cravings. Psychological addiction (habits, associations, routines) persists longer and is harder to address with NRT alone.

How NRT Works

NRT delivers controlled amounts of nicotine without the thousands of toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke. By maintaining a level of nicotine in the bloodstream, NRT reduces withdrawal symptoms and cravings sufficiently to allow the behavioural elements of quitting to be addressed. Evidence: NRT increases the odds of successfully quitting by 50–70% compared to no pharmacological support. The more NRT used, the better the outcome.

NRT Products Compared

Nicotine patches — 24-hour (Nicorette Invisi, NiQuitin CQ) or 16-hour. 24-hour patches are better for morning cravings. Step-down approach: high strength for 6 weeks, medium for 3 weeks, low for 3 weeks. Convenient, once-daily application, no technique required. Nicotine gum — chew and park technique (chew until tingling, park between cheek and gum, repeat). 2mg for less than 20 cigarettes/day, 4mg for more. Quick craving relief. Nicotine lozenges — dissolve slowly in mouth. Suitable for those with dental problems. Nicotine inhalator — a cigarette-shaped device with nicotine cartridge. Mimics the hand-to-mouth ritual, which many people find helpful for the psychological component of addiction. Nicotine nasal spray — fastest-acting NRT (relief in 1–2 minutes). Best for high-nicotine dependence. Can cause nasal irritation initially. Nicotine microtab/sublingual tablet — quick-dissolving tablet under the tongue.

Combination NRT: The Most Effective Approach

Combining a long-acting NRT (patch) with a short-acting rescue product (gum, lozenge or inhalator) is the most effective NRT strategy — more effective than either alone. Use the patch daily for background protection; use the short-acting product for breakthrough cravings.

The Rapid Health Benefits of Quitting

  • 20 minutes: heart rate and blood pressure return to normal
  • 8 hours: carbon monoxide levels halve; oxygen levels return to normal
  • 48 hours: nicotine cleared from body; smell and taste begin to improve
  • 2–12 weeks: lung function and circulation improve significantly
  • 1 year: risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker
  • 10 years: risk of lung cancer is half that of a smoker

Shop Quit Smoking Products at Chemist 2 Customer including Nicorette and NiQuitin ranges.