How much do nicotine patches and gum help?
Nicotine replacement products increase the chances that a heavy smoker will be able to quit smoking, but more than one attempt will usually be needed. There are many advantages to quitting smoking, but it is no easy task. The first week can be particularly difficult. People reach for a cigarette again mostly because their body is craving nicotine. This can make people easily irritated, aggressive, anxious or depressed. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) aims to reduce these withdrawal symptoms. You can buy these products in chemists without a prescription in Germany and other countries. In Germany, nicotine gum, lozenges and patches are available. However regulations prevent statutory health insurers from covering the costs of quit smoking medications. In other countries you can also get nasal sprays and inhalers. You can read about NRT in more detail in our Fact Sheet (URL: http://www.informedhealthonline.com/index.417.222.en.html) . To weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of NRT
