This article will provide an in-depth guide on three of the most prominent NRTs today: nicotine patches, nicotine pouches, and nicotine lozenges. Hopefully, it can help you determine which approach is the best for you.
The adverse health effects that tobacco smoking poses are well-documented. Our post ‘7 Habits You Need to Quit to Improve Your Health explains that smoking can heighten risks for heart issues and lung problems. It can also lead to chronic conditions such as cancer. It’s no wonder that 68% of US smokers have decided to quit smoking. Higher smoking cessation rates have consequently raised the demand for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). These are products which provide nicotine to smokers at a lower dose. Essentially, NRTs aim to reduce or eliminate tobacco use by helping users decrease their cravings.
Nicotine patch
Nicotine patches are a form of NRT that is applied to the body. Generally, the product can be worn on the skin for up to 24 hours. This makes it a suitable option if you want to forgo reapplication within the day. These patches often come in discreet designs as well, as you can observe in the NicoDerm CQ nicotine patch, which are clear for discretion. Nicotine patches also come in multiple doses, specifically 7 mg, 14 mg, and 21 mg. If your cigarette intake is less than 10 a day, it’s recommended that you start with the 21 mg patch before working your way down to a lower dose.
Nicotine patches can boost a cigarette smoker’s adherence to their quit attempt. In a 2021 BMC article titled ‘Evaluating level of adherence to nicotine replacement therapy and its impact on smoking cessation’, 35% of individuals who participated in a cessation program reported they wore nicotine patches for 28 days. Doing so has resulted in an increased efficacy with their quit attempt.
Nicotine pouch
Unlike the above product, nicotine patches are a form of NRT that is taken orally. These are typically packaged in small white pouches and are made with pure nicotine, natural flavorings, and food-grade additives. As nicotine pouches from On! illustrate, these products come in 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg. This enables smokers to choose a dose that closely corresponds to their daily cigarette intake. Apart from that, nicotine pouches are also offered in exciting flavors such as mint, coffee, and berry. Having a wide range of flavors to choose from allows this product to provide a more pleasurable experience.
Nicotine pouches can provide smokers with a steady dose of nicotine. In a randomized experiment published in Europe PMC, many smokers found nicotine pouches as a great alternative to cigarettes. This is largely due to the fact that the product came in varying strengths, which most individuals found appealing.
Nicotine lozenge
Much like nicotine pouches, nicotine lozenges are taken orally. These products are commonly rolled around in the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes until they’re dissolved. Similar to the first two NRTs in this article, nicotine lozenges come in different strengths (2 mg and 4 mg). And as nicotine lozenges from Lucy demonstrate, these come in flavors such as mint, citrus, and cherry ice. This provides satisfaction for smokers who are looking for a more enjoyable experience while using NRTs.
Nicotine lozenges are also a great aid for people who wish to quit smoking. A 2020 study titled ‘Nicotine replacement therapy: A friend or foe’ showed that a 4 mg nicotine lozenge improved smoking cessation rates. While there are natural comparisons between nicotine lozenge and nicotine gum, the study shared that one lozenge allows users to absorb a higher amount of nicotine than that delivered by gum.
After understanding what the above NRTs offer, it can be difficult to gauge which approach is the best. You should remember that smoking cessation experiences vary from person to person. So that being said, you only need to find the NRT that’s right for you.
