Every smoker has a different reason for their continued addiction. Some enjoy the social side of smoking, some enjoy the act of smoking itself, and some hang on to the much derided concept of smoking being “cool” and “rebellious”. However, the main reason most smokers continue their habit is down to a fear of quitting. Sitcom and drama writers have long relied on stories about their characters quitting smoking, usually for comedic effect. The general... 

In this life, some things just go together. Two events, things or objects that seem so synonymous with one another it’s hard to imagine them functioning apart. When you think of one part of the double act, thoughts and memories of the other immediately come to mind. Yes, sometimes two things are so closely linked it’s hard to even then of them as separate. When it comes to smoking, most people immediately associate the habit with lung cancer.... 

When it comes to quitting smoking, to increase the chances of success, many people turn to nicotine replacement therapy. This therapy, via a range of methods, is designed to counteract the physical withdrawals and cravings that are involved in smoking cessation. The most well known forms of nicotine replacement therapy are nicotine gum and patches. These are largely available from most pharmacies and even supermarkets. However, they are not without their side... 

When it comes to quitting smoking, one of the most frequently used ways to ease the problems of withdrawal is nicotine gum. The gum is said to help quell cravings, allowing the smoker to adjust to a cigarette-free life without the long running associated problems. Nicotine gum contains a nicotine compared called nicotine polacrilex, which is said to have a potent effect on any cravings. Nicotine gum, however, should not be chewed like normal chewing gum –... 

Nicotine patches are perhaps the most common form of nicotine replacement therapy, designed the ease the discomfort of physical withdrawal when a smoker decides to quit cigarettes. Unlike other methods which work on satisfying an instant craving, patches are designed to continually release nicotine for the duration of wear, which hopefully reduces the chances of an intense craving. Nicotine patches are quite large and resemble a large Band Aid or plaster....