Published: 1st October, 2014 in: Health Advice Quit Smoking
Stopping smoking is a big challenge at any time in your life, but if you join the Stoptober challenge and complete it, you’re 5 times more likely to quit for good. It can take several attempts to stop smoking for good, so if you’ve tried before, don’t lose heart.
Prepare to Succeed
There are many NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapies) that can help you through the 28 day stop smoking challenge, and Weldricks Pharmacy are here to give you the help, support and products you need to stop smoking. Ensuring you have the correct products for you is key during Stoptober.
NRT products are licensed medicines, so you can be sure that whatever Nicotine you take from them comes from a less harmful source. People who use NRT to help them stop smoking are twice as likely to succeed. Different products help with different cravings, but no matter which product you use, it needs to be used alongside will power! Some NRT products can even be used alongside each other, but you should always speak to your Pharmacist first to be sure you’re using the best products that suit your needs the most.
Patches: Nicotine is released gradually into the bloodstream across the skin. Patches are best suited to people who smoke regularly and that have low dependence on the physical aspects of smoking (for example, holding a cigarette). There are 16 hour patches and 24 hour patches available depending on your needs, although 24 patches prove most effective for people who normally have a cigarette not long after waking. The 16 hour patches are good for people who have disturbed sleep with the 24 hour patch.
Gum: This is most effective for those who want to boost their nicotine intake quickly. It is chewed until the flavour is strong and then can be simply placed between gum and cheek to allow the Nicotine to be absorbed.
Lozenges and Microtabs: These are discreet and best suited to those with irregular smoking habits. Simply left to dissolve on the tongue (lozenges) or underneath the tongue (microtabs), these products can take up to 30 minutes to dissolve and are very discreet.
Inhalator: for those who miss the physical aspects of smoking, these can be quite helpful. It doesn’t give as much Nicotine per use as a normal cigarette, so you can control your Nicotine intake carefully, but it does mimics the use of a normal cigarette.
Nasal Spray: the rapid release of Nicotine means this is a good product for heavy smokers who need rapid relief from cravings.
Mouth Spray: The Nicotine from this product reaches the brain really fast, providing rapid relief from cravings; in fact it’s the fastest acting form of NRT.
Electronic Cigarettes: These are not a licensed Nicotine Replacement Therapy product. The electrical devices mimic normal cigarettes and produce a vapour that is potentially less harmful than tobacco smoke.
Electronic Cigarettes aren’t available on the NHS. In June 2013, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced plans to license electronic cigarettes as medicines by 2016. This decision has been prompted by growing concerns about the safety and quality of these unlicensed products and the varying nicotine content compared to the label on the packaging. For more information about electronic cigarettes visit our blog.
If you’re taking part in the Stoptober Challenge, we’d love to keep track of your progress. Simply like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep us posted with your stop smoking pictures and updates of how well you’re doing.
1 Source: http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_93.pdf
2 Source: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/smoking-the-facts
3 Source: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/smoking-the-facts