Many people have tried and failed to quit smoking , whilst others are just too afraid to try and kick the habit. For those who think they just can't quit by themselves, there are now a wide variety of products on the market to help. These products employ Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help you quit, and work by allowing you a small dose of nicotine while you stop smoking .

Because these products only give you a dose of nicotine, and not carbon monoxide, tar or any of the many other damaging chemicals found in cigarettes, they are safe to use by almost anyone. They can be bought from most pharmacies, are not too expensive and have been shown to double the chances of success. Here is a run down of the different types of NRT:

Nicotine Patches

These are stuck directly onto the skin and provide a steady supply of nicotine into the blood. There are varieties that last 24 hours, which especially help deal with morning cravings, and others that are just worn throughout the day. The downside to patches is they do not provide the sudden high dose of nicotine a cigarette does, instead they provide a constant low dosage throughout the day.

Nicotine Gum

This option involves releasing nicotine through chewing gum. You need to chew the piece of gum until the taste becomes very strong, then you must move the gum so that it rests between your gums and your cheek. This allows the nicotine being released to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Once the taste becomes weak you need to chew again to release more nicotine and repeat the process, replacing the gum about every hour.

Some people do not like nicotine gum because they find the taste unpleasant, or they do not like having gum in their mouth the whole day. However, they are effective and you can reduce it's use after a couple of months. Eventually you can stop using it completely.

Lozenges And Tablets

These are a good alternative to gum in that you don't need to have them in your mouth all day. You simply let them dissolve under your tongue, and the nicotine will be absorbed. You should not swallow them.

Nicotine Inhaler

These are plastic tubes, designed to look like cigarettes, into which a nicotine cartridge is placed. You use the inhaler in much the same way as a cigarette, and the nicotine is absorbed through the mouth and throat. One cartridge typically provides 3 20 minute sessions before you need to replace it. Up to 12 cartridges can be used a day as required, but you should be looking to reduce the amount after around 2 months.

Nicotine Nasal Spray

The nasal spray works by delivering a quick dose of nicotine through the lining of the nose. This sudden dose of nicotine recreates very closely the effects of smoking a cigarette, and is a good method of relieving yourself of a sudden craving. As with any nasal spray product, it can cause some sneezing and watering of the eyes.