Nicotine products, like patches and gum, help you to deal with nicotine withdrawal cravings, and double your chances of successfully going smokefree.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) works differently to cigarettes. It does not contain toxic chemicals like tar or carbon monoxide, and does not cause cancer.

You can get NRT on prescription, so being smokefree doesn't have to be expensive. NRT is suitable for most people, however you should check with your doctor if you are pregnant, have a heart or circulatory condition or if you take regular medication.

Nicotine gum
When you chew nicotine gum, the nicotine is absorbed through the lining of your mouth.

Nicotine patches
Nicotine patches work well for most regular smokers and can be worn round the clock (24 hour patches) or just during the day (16 hour patches).

Microtabs
These are small tablets containing nicotine which dissolve quickly under your tongue.

Lozenges
Lozenges are sucked slowly to release the nicotine and take about 20-30 minutes to dissolve.

Nicotine nasal spray
The spray delivers a swift and effective dose of nicotine through the lining of your nose.

Inhalators
Inhalators look like a plastic cigarette. The inhalator releases nicotine vapour which gets absorbed through your mouth and throat. If you miss the 'hand to mouth' aspect of smoking, these may suit you.

Other treatments

Zyban (Bupropion Hydrochloride)
Zyban is a treatment which changes the way that your body responds to nicotine. You start taking Zyban a couple of weeks before you quit and then continue the treatment for a few weeks to help you through the withdrawal cravings. It's only available on prescription and is not available if you are pregnant.

Champix
A new stop smoking treatment called Champix is now available on prescription and formal guidance on its use is expected from NICE, the organisation that assesses new treatments, in July 2007. Draft guidance issued by NICE in May 2007 indicates that Champix is likely to be recommended for use on NHS prescription, as it is effective and represents good value for money for the NHS.

Visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk for more help to quit.