According to a 2019 research, adult smokers in Australia have decreased to half since 1995. For instance, the number of smokers in Victoria reportedly reduced by 10.6%. Besides traditional smoking cessation medication, many have resorted to alternative methods like nicotine replacement therapy and prescription vaping.
Nicotine Chewing Gums
Gums form a part of Nicotine Replacement Therapy. As you chew the gum, ingredients are absorbed through tissues inside the mouth before reaching the bloodstream. It offers a similar satisfaction to smoking a cigarette and is less harmful. Nicotine gums come in different flavours, like mint and fruit. However, nicotine gums aren’t meant for pregnant women, adolescents, and anyone who uses tobacco in other forms.
Medications
Varenicline and Bupropion are two widely prescribed drugs to help smokers cope with withdrawal symptoms. They work by inhibiting the nicotine receptors within the brain. In turn, smoking becomes less pleasurable for an individual, and eventually, the person gives up. But fair warning, they are not suited for everyone and should be taken only under medical supervision.
Quitting smoking is always a welcome move. And it certainly makes things easy to consider smoking alternatives. Unfortunately, the new guidelines in Australia around liquid nicotine demand a prescription for procuring smoking cessation medication. So, it’s recommended that you see a TGA-authorised prescriber. That way, your condition can be accessed medically to prescribe nicotine for long-term smoking cessation or pharmacotherapy.
