What does smoking cessation mean?

Smoking cessation is the process whereby a smoker decides to stop smoking with the help of smoking cessation aids, which are often substances with less nicotine. Tobacco contains an addictive substance called nicotine, which can make the process of quitting very difficult.

Research has shown that quitting smoking drastically reduces the risk of tobacco-related diseases (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart diseases, and lung cancer).

Quitting is hard, but there is help

There are many different strategies that can be employed to aid with smoking cessation, such as using medications (some of which can be bought over the counter) and behavioral counselling.

Quitting smoking can be a very difficult task because of its addictive nature, which leads to withdrawal symptoms such as depression, anxiety, cravings, weight gain, and irritability. Smoking cessation using over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy (medications) can help prevent these withdrawal symptoms, and in turn, address your nicotine addiction.

How does smoking cessation work?

Over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy often contains very small amounts of nicotine, which help in reducing the amount of nicotine you consume per day until you are able to quit completely.

How can quitting benefit you?

Quitting smoking can benefit an individual in many ways.

• It reduces the risk of having a stroke and the narrowing of blood vessels outside of the heart (peripheral vascular disease and heart diseases).
• It lowers the risk of developing lung cancer or other types of cancer associated with smoking.
• It reduces respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.
• It reduces the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Type of products available

Over-the-counter smoking cessation aids are available in patch, gum, nasal spray, mouth spray, inhalation cartridges, lozenges, and sublingual tablet forms.

Chewing gum

This can be used when you are trying to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. An example is Nicorette 2mg and 4mg gum, which is available in different flavors. You can chew one piece for about 30 minutes when you develop and urge to smoke. Usually the starting dose is 4mg, depending on how many cigarettes you smoke per day. It can gradually be reduced to 2mg after three months.

Lozenges

You should try and reduce the use of lozenges after three months of treatment. The treatment period should not exceed six months.

What do they treat?

They help smokers quit smoking without having withdrawal symptoms.

What products can you get over the counter from us?

Some smoking cessation aids are obtained with a prescription from a doctor while some can be obtained over the counter.

Side effects

• Anxiety
• Fatigue
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Irritability
• upset stomach
• Headache

Contraindications

The use of any smoking cessation aid is contraindicated in an individual who is hypersensitive to any ingredients used in the formulations.