Quit Smoking FAQs

Common quit questions

In 2022, of all adults in Great Britain who had previously smoked 69.4% had quit – the highest proportion of quitters since 1974, and maybe this year you’ve decided to be one of them. The journey may be tough at first, so here Nicotinell have compiled answers to some common questions that people who quit often have.

SUCK ONE
PIECE

REST BETWEEN
CHEEK AND GUMS

REPEAT FOR
30 MINUTES

The technique for using Nicotinell Lozenges is as follows:

  1. Suck the nicotine lozenge until you start tasting a strong flavour of nicotine.
  2. Let the lozenge rest between your cheek and gums until the taste begins to fade.
  3. Start sucking again.
  4. Repeat for about 30 minutes until the lozenge is dissolved completely.

It is important to use Nicotinell Lozenges correctly. Remember, taking breaks between sucking is essential. If more nicotine is released than your mouth is able to absorb, you’ll end up swallowing it and not feeling the effects. If you feel an itchy sensation in your throat, burning in your stomach or experience hiccups or gas, then you should take longer breaks.

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CHEW ONE
PIECE

REST BETWEEN
CHEEK AND GUMS

REPEAT FOR
30 MINUTES

Follow these steps on how to use Nicotinell gum and get the most from this nicotine replacement product:

  1. Chew until you start tasting a strong flavour of nicotine.
  2. Let the gum rest between your cheek and gums until the taste begins to fade.
  3. Start chewing the gum again.
  4. Repeat the chewing routine for about 30 minutes.

It is important to chew Nicotinell Gum properly. The illustration shows how to do this. Remember, taking breaks between chewing is essential. If more nicotine is released than your mouth is able to absorb, you’ll end up swallowing it and not feeling the effects. Please read the leaflet enclosed in the pack and make sure you follow the instructions carefully.

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APPLY NEW
PATCH

STICK TO
NEW AREA

SMOOTH OUT
EDGES

Wondering how to use Nicotinell patches ? It only takes three simple steps...

  1. Nicotinell patches can be used for 24 hours. Apply a new nicotine patch every day, once you have removed the old one.
  2. Stick to a new area of skin which is unbroken, dry and hairless. This can be on your upper arm, upper back or hip.
  3. Smooth out the edges of the nicotine patch to ensure it’s stuck properly.

Not smoking is tough. It takes about 84 days for most of us to get used to it and in fact the first 2 weeks are arguably the toughest. To help with your stop smoking journey, it may be worth giving combination therapy a try. Combination therapy is simple. It is when you use, for example, a nicotine patch and combine it with a flexible format all at once. For example, wear a patch all day. Take a lozenge* when you get the urge to smoke. Please note, you mustn't wear two patches at once.

When you combine treatments, you can attack your smoking habit on two fronts and manage it around the clock. It's a useful method if you need extra support to stop smoking.

Users should stop smoking completely during treatment with nicotine patches

Our suggestion tool can help you decide if combination therapy is right for you, providing you information on each treatment option.

*refers to 1mg lozenge only

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Are you wondering how to stop smoking? There are millions of people who successfully quit smoking each and every year and, here at Nicotinell, we know you can be one of them.

We understand that every quit smoking journey is different, but there are some simple ways to find your motivation. View our ‘How To Quit’ section for some quit smoking tips to get started.

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Are you thinking about opting to quit smoking cold turkey? Nicotinell advises that you should take plenty of time to come to that decision.

Nicotine delivered by cigarettes is so addictive that people often underestimate how difficult it is to resist cravings using willpower alone. Nicotine replacement therapy delivers a controlled amount of nicotine to your system to help soothe your physical cravings and allows you to focus on the mental aspects of your quit. Using nicotine replacement therapy as directed doubles your chances of quitting.*

*Doubles your chances of quitting vs placebo. Use as directed. Behavioral support program increases chances of success. Many people require several quit attempts to stop smoking. Products are part of an 8–12 week program.

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For a licensed medicine for taking nicotine other than tobacco, look no further than nicotine replacement therapy.

Nicotine replacement therapy (or NRT for short) doesn’t contain any of the carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) that are found in cigarettes. Nicotine replacement therapy programs are designed to help you stop smoking. They help you wean off of nicotine until you do not need it anymore.

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Nicotine replacement products can have side effects, with Nicotinell explaining a few below.

Because the active ingredient in nicotine replacement products is a low, therapeutic dose of nicotine, side effects can include vivid dreams. Some users may experience skin irritation with use of the nicotine patch.

Be sure to carefully read the user guide inside your package for a complete list of possible side effects.

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Wondering what to expect in your first week of quitting smoking? Nicotinell is here to help you get through this initial stage of the process.

There’s no doubt about it, the first week is tough. Make a plan and remember your reason for quitting. It’ll help get you through the cravings and give you the motivation to stay strong.

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Nicotine withdrawal refers to a group of symptoms which develop in the first few weeks following an abrupt discontinuation or decrease in the intake of nicotine. Keep reading the Nicotinell guide to find more advice about this process.

When you’re nicotine dependent, smoking releases neurotransmitters into your brain, one of which is dopamine. It’s dopamine that gives you that relaxed and satisfied feeling when you light up. When ending your dependency on nicotine, you may feel withdrawal symptoms. It can be tough, but know that it’s your body’s way of getting back to a healthy way of functioning. Hang in there. Stick with it. It will get better as your quit progresses.

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There are many ways to cope with smoking cravings, with the following advice from Nicotinell sure to help.

Most cravings don’t last longer than a couple of minutes. When they do hit, think about your reason for quitting. If it’s a loved one, keep a photo handy. Exercise is another great way to keep your mind off smoking. These helpful tricks along with the use of nicotine replacement treatment programs can help you get through those tough moments.

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Wondering how to replace your smoking rituals now that you’ve stopped smoking? Nicotinell has plenty of alternative ideas that are sure to help.

It is possible to maintain the social and physical aspects of your daily smoking rituals without lighting up. If you go out for a cigarette at certain times of the day, go outside and do something else. Go to the park, call a friend, or find the parts of your daily smoking rituals that you like that don’t involve smoking and focus on those.

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Nicotinell is on hand to explain just what you should expect in your second week of quitting smoking.

Remember that you’re on your way. But you’re not out of the woods just yet. Make sure you’re aware of your smoking triggers. Once you know what they are, it’s easier to avoid them. If it’s a trigger that you can’t avoid, like work, find a replacement for your smoking rituals. It’s also a great time to reach out to a friend or loved one for encouragement. They’ll be proud of your progress.

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‘Will I gain weight if I quit smoking’ is a common query which many people consider when they are thinking about stopping. Fortunately, Nicotinell is on hand to give you peace of mind around this concern.

Even if you do gain a bit, it’s nothing compared to all the good things you’re doing for yourself. If you continue to gain weight after a few months, try to analyze what you’re doing differently. Reduce your fat intake, choose healthy snacks and increase your physical activity to help burn off extra calories.

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If you have tried to stop smoking on numerous occasions and keep find yourself going back, you may well end up asking the question, why can’t I quit smoking?

However, Nicotinell is here to assure you that you can quit. You just haven’t succeeded yet. Try to learn from your slip-ups. Figure out why you fell off the wagon so you can avoid putting yourself in similar situations in the future. Choose a new quit date, and then try again. This time, you may be able to quit for good!

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If you are wondering how to bounce back from a quit smoking slip-up, Nicotinell has the advice you need to move forward in the best possible spirit.

Don’t be discouraged by slip-ups. Learn from them. Use a slip-up to find your smoking triggers and then avoid the situations that cause them.

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Nicotine withdrawal symptoms can often reach their peak two to three days after you have quit smoking, and are then gone within one to three months after you stop.

However, Nicotinell is aware that the signs are different for everyone, but the one way to tell that your addiction is waning is that cigarettes are no longer an option, no matter what. When the things that once triggered you to reach for your pack no longer have power over you, you’ll know you’re winning the battle.

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Knowing how much nicotine is in a cigarette will help you better understand the journey ahead of you when it comes to quitting smoking. Nicotinell has the knowledge you need on this subject.

Your body receives approximately 1 milligram of nicotine from each cigarette. Remember, the nicotine from cigarettes is absorbed very quickly and goes straight from the lungs to the brain.

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