Best Nicotine Alternatives to Help You Quit Smoking

While the number of UK smokers is slowly decreasing, a little over 13% of UK residents are smokers, according to the Annual Population Survey (APS). That’s over 6 million people still smoking despite knowing how harmful cigarettes are. And while many UK smokers declare quitting, following that declaration can be… difficult.

That’s mainly because nicotine present in tobacco is highly addictive. And once you develop a nicotine addiction, quitting will most likely cause withdrawal symptoms as your body tries to get used to not having nicotine. One of those symptoms is strong cravings for nicotine. Resisting those can be challenging, which is why many people who try to quit smoking fail. They tell themselves that it’s just one cigarette more, and they are done with smoking.

Sounds familiar? If so, it might be the right time to look for a nicotine alternative to aid your quitting attempts. Most of these alternatives come in the form of an NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) medicine, which typically includes nicotine patches, gum, nasal sprays, or inhalers. There are also nicotine-free options. But before we talk about them, let’s first explain what is nicotine replacement therapy exactly.

What Is Nicotine Replacement Therapy?

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a medicine containing low nicotine levels to help reduce unpleasant nicotine withdrawal effects many smokers experience when quitting smoking, such as strong nicotine cravings, headaches, mood swings, or trouble sleeping. Of course, the severity of the withdrawal symptoms will depend on smoking habits. Essentially, the more you smoke, the stronger these symptoms will be when you stop smoking.

These symptoms are the primary reason why people decide to start smoking again. Many try electronic cigarettes as an alternative, but there’s no evidence e-cigarettes are a healthy alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. Here’s where NRT medicines can help, providing you with a smoke-free nicotine alternative. They can help you quit smoking by easing the intense cravings. Such treatment usually lasts 8-12 weeks as you gradually reduce the nicotine intake, which eventually leads to full nicotine cessation.

Popular Nicotine Alternatives

So yes, nicotine replacement therapy can help with tobacco smoking cessation management. But what are the nicotine alternatives available? The most popular ones include nicotine patches, gums, nasal sprays, inhalers, and lozenges. All these nicotine replacement products can be purchased over the counter except nasal sprays and inhalers, which require a prescription. Let’s cover them in more detail.

Nicotine Patches

Once applied, a nicotine patch will slowly release a steady dose of nicotine through the skin. There are several types of nicotine patches available, some lasting even up to 24 hours. In general, long-lasting patches are typically recommended for heavy smokers, so technically, the more cigarettes you smoke, the stronger the patch you should use.

Before you do so, however, be sure to consult with a specialist and read the package instructions. Also, be aware that using nicotine patches can cause side effects, including skin irritation, headaches, and nausea.

Nicotine Gum

Another popular nicotine replacement product is nicotine gum. Contrary to patches, nicotine gums quickly release nicotine, typically working within 5-10 minutes from taking.

The difference between regular chewing gum and nicotine gum is that you should chew it slowly until you feel the taste. Then tuck it inside your cheek until the taste fades. Start chewing it back until the taste comes back. In most instances, you should do that on and off for around 20-30 minutes, although that may depend on how much nicotine the gum contains.

As with patches, be sure to consult your doctor and read the instructions carefully before using the gum. You can also experience side effects such as throat irritation, hiccups, or racing heartbeat, so be aware of these before using gum as your nicotine replacement therapy medicine.

Nicotine Lozenges

Nicotine lozenges work similarly to gums, quickly releasing a dose of nicotine through your mouth’s mucous membrane. However, instead of chewing, you suck the nicotine lozenge until it fully dissolves. In most cases, it should take around 20-30 minutes, although you can regulate it by releasing it earlier and decreasing the amount of nicotine received.

Like patches and gums, nicotine lozenges are available without any prescription. Still, it’s a good idea to consult a specialist and always read the package instructions before taking one. There are also several side effects to keep an eye on, including nausea, hiccups, coughing, heartburn, and racing heart.

Nicotine Nasal Sprays

Nicotine nasal sprays look like allergy and congestion sprays. They also work similarly, with the difference being you shouldn’t inhale the spray but let it sit in your nostril. Such sprays deliver nicotine to the bloodstream almost immediately as they are absorbed through the nose.

Contrary to gums, patches, and lozenges, nicotine nasal sprays are only available through a doctor’s prescription. Nicotine nasal spray users might experience several side effects, such as nasal irritation, runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.

Nicotine Inhalers

Nicotine inhalers are tube devices with nicotine cartridges inside. A user inhales nicotine, which is then released into the bloodstream with an immediate effect. The difference between nicotine inhalers and other similar devices is that a nicotine inhaler releases nicotine vapour in the mouth and throat, whereas other inhalers deliver the medicine to the lungs.

Similar to nasal sprays, nicotine inhalers are only available via a valid prescription. They can also cause similar side effects, including a runny nose, coughing, and dry throat.

Is There a Nicotine-Free Option?

While all the products above can prove themselves as fantastic alternatives to tobacco, they all contain nicotine. Of course, in much smaller amounts than in tobacco, but with nicotine still present, some might say they work as nicotine substitutes rather than true alternatives.

Therefore, a rational question would be – are there any nicotine-free alternatives? Yes, there are, and one of them can be found right on this site. Yes, we’re talking about our very own NEAFS Sticks. Available both in nicotine and nicotine-free versions, NEAFS sticks are an excellent alternative to tobacco and nicotine products.

First, NEAFS sticks don’t contain tobacco. Instead, we use a special blend of tea leaves, which work as a healthier alternative to tobacco products. Secondly, with no nicotine present, sticks can imitate a real tobacco experience many people crave while helping you quit smoking.

An authentic tobacco experience without tobacco and nicotine? It’s possible with NEAFS.

Key Takeaways

People quit smoking for various reasons. Whatever your motives might be, quitting tobacco can be challenging if you develop nicotine dependence. That’s because cutting your nicotine intake often causes unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, irritation, and strong nicotine cravings as your body tries to learn to live without regular nicotine intake.

To aid people in managing cravings and help them quit, many specialists recommend undergoing nicotine replacement therapy. It involves replacing cigarettes with nicotine-infused products, such as gums, patches, nasal sprays, or lozenges. Such a therapy involves slowly decreasing nicotine intake until full nicotine cessation.

However, if you want to cut your nicotine intake immediately, the best idea is to use tobacco and nicotine-free alternatives, such as NEAFS nicotine-free sticks. By using a special tea blend as a base instead of tobacco leaves, NEAFS provides its users with an authentic tobacco experience that’s 100% tobacco and nicotine-free.

Choose NEAFS and cut your tobacco use without sacrificing the experience.