ASK THE PHARMACIST
Q My Teenager has started smoking — is he too young for nicotine replacement therapy?
A THE longer you smoke, the greater the damage to your health, so clearly, it’s important your son gives up as soon as he can. Nicotine replacement patches, gum, strips and lozenges can be used from the age of 12. They’re normally taken for three months. The best way to use them is in conjunction with a smoking cessation group or counsellor; the success rates for giving up are much better than doing it on your own. Children can get referred to these groups on the NHS.
QI’M ADDICTED to my nicotine-replacement gum — what should I do?
ATHIS is quite a common problem, because the gum contains nicotine. Try to reduce the amount you use gradually — start by cutting out one of the 15 pieces of nicotinereplacement gum you can have a day, then reduce it by a piece every day or so over a period of a few weeks. You may still experience cravings and some restlessness or irritability as your body goes through nicotine withdrawal, but reducing the amount you take gradually should minimise these effects.