SMOKING

Nicotinell Mint 2mg Lozenge, £13, pack of 96 CLAIM: Provides relief when the urge to smoke strikes. Dissolves in the mouth to release a 2mg dose of nicotine to help satisfy that urge. Most people use eight to 12 lozenges a day.

EXPERT VERDICT: Sid Dajani, a pharmacist in Eastleigh, says: ‘These are not very effective.

‘We often recommend a nicotine patch to provide a baseline level of nicotine, then another product — a nasal spray, inhaler, or gum — to give a quick “hit” if someone has a craving. But with the lozenge, it takes minutes to work, not seconds. So you may end up smoking again if you don’t get a fast enough hit.

‘Many complain about the taste. People with ulcers, mouth cancer or recent dental work should avoid replacement lozenges and gum as nicotine constricts blood vessels, slows healing and leads to infections.’