Smoking Cessation and Nicotine Products for Smokers - Over the Counter

Some smokers do not like nicotine replacement products because they believe that nicotine is what hurts their health. However one of the true causes is tobacco, nicotine is what makes cigarettes addictive. Nicotine replacement therapies start you off at a dosage that is similar to how many cigarettes you smoke daily. After that you gradually step down until you are able to stop using nicotine altogether.

The bad thing about nicotine replacement products is that depending on where you live, nicotine products costs more than cigarettes and can be difficult to afford for some smokers.

Smoking Cessation Products - Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patches are thin strips similar to bandages and in the middle is where the nicotine is found. You simply peel the back of the patch and place it on a dry, clean part of the body. Do not place the patches on the same area of skin after removing the previous patch. While patches have helped millions of people quit smoking the downside is that the patches do not have enough adhesive on them and you will need to apply a piece of medical tape over it or it will fall off. Patches are also poisonous to pets and children and should be disposed of in the little kit that comes in the nicotine patch box.

Smoking Cessation Products - Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is used on its own or with nicotine patches and a smoker chews them when the urge to smoke hits. Nicotine gum is not chewed like regular gum. A piece of the gum is placed in the mouth and the gum is chewed very slowly and chewing is stopped when the smoker either tastes the nicotine or gets a tingling feeling in their mouth. After that the nicotine gum should be placed in the side of the mouth between cheek and gum. The gum should be chewed again when nicotine or tingling starts to wane. The gum lasts roughly 30 minutes. Nicotine gum should never be swallowed. The downside to nicotine gum may be that it does not taste very good. However new flavors have come on the market for smokers who need them.

Smoking Cessation Products - Nicotine Lozenge

Lozenges are available in two different strengths and those are 2mg and 4mg. A smoker should place one lozenge in their mouth and let it dissolve. Every few minutes, move the lozenge from one side of the mouth to the other. A lozenge should not be bitten or swallowed whole. Like the nicotine gum, the one downside for some smokers may be the taste of the lozenge.