Stop smoking aids
Quitting aids can help you stop smoking and ease cravings.
There are more effective ways to quit smoking than ever before.
Quitting aids can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making your quit attempt much less stressful. Many of these products are available to buy in shops and pharmacies, and some are available on prescription.
Using the right quitting aid with support from a local stop smoking service can make you up to three times more likely to quit for good.
Stop smoking aids include:
- nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), such as patches, sprays, gum and lozenges
- nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes)
- prescription-only medicines (varenicline, cytisinicline or bupropion)
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
Most people smoke because they are addicted to nicotine. Nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive, and when you haven’t had a cigarette for a while, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as stress and anxiety.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) gives you a safe dose of nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke. It helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while you break the routine and the addiction of smoking.
NRT comes in a range of options, including:
- patches
- gum
- lozenges
- inhalators
- nasal and mouth sprays
You can buy NRT over the counter in shops and pharmacies, and it may also be available on prescription. Many stop smoking services provide NRT for free as part of your quit support.
To boost your success, using two types of NRT together (for example, a patch plus a faster-acting product like gum or spray) is the most effective way to manage cravings.
Most people use NRT for around 8-12 weeks, gradually reducing the dose before eventually stopping. Some people use NRT longer – and that’s ok. The most important thing is staying smokefree!
Prescription-only medicines (available through stop smoking services or prescription)
There are new and effective stop smoking medications that don’t contain nicotine but can help reduce cravings and make quitting easier.
These include:
- varenicline (brand name Champix)
- cytisinicline (brand name Belnifrem)
- bupropion (brand name Zyban)
Varenicline and cytisinicline are two of the most effective stop smoking aids available. They work by blocking nicotine’s effects in the brain, making smoking less enjoyable and reducing cravings.
Varenicline is usually taken as up to two tablets a day for 12 weeks.
Cytisinicline is taken as a tapering dose over 25 days, starting at 6 tablets a day.
Vaping
Nicotine vaping is one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking. It is recommended by NICE and the NHS as a stop smoking aid and is much less harmful than smoking tobacco.
In the North East, over 125,000 people have quit smoking using vapes.
Vapes can help you manage cravings while you stop smoking and gradually reduce your nicotine use over time.
There are many different types of vapes available and costs can vary, but they are generally much cheaper than cigarettes.
Vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking, so people who smoke should consider switching completely. However, vaping is not risk-free and is not recommended for non-smokers or children.
All stop smoking services across the North East are vape-friendly and can provide a free vape starter kit to help you quit. You can also access a free vape starter kit alongside 24/7 digital support through Smoke Free.
Using a vape alongside support gives you the best chance of success.
Visit our page on vaping for all your questions answered