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"Nicotine patches are great. Stick one over each eye and you can't find your cigarettes. ~ Author Unknown"

Many studies indicate that the average smoker needs multiple attempts to stop smoking for good and that is the reason that makes quitting this habit such a difficult task. Any smoker will tell you that they quit for a period, but then take the habit up again. Usually the excuse for starting to smoke again, will be that there was one or other crisis and the need to smoke was too great!

It is very important not to give up if there was a lapse while trying to quit smoking. Try to avoid the idea that smokers need a few tries to quit! After a lapse, try to get back to the therapy plan and don't give up - it is a long-term process!

When people normally think of Nicotine replacement therapy, they immediately think of using a Nictotine gum stick. But there is another Nicotine Replacement Therapy aid available in the form of a stop smoking patch.

A stop smoking patch looks like an extra-large sticking plaster that is stuck on the skin. It releases nicotine that is absorbed slowly through the skin. This helps to prevent the physical withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking since the body is constantly absorbing small amounts of nicotine. This reduces the craving for cigarettes, and also reduces some of the symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, headaches, anxiety, insomnia and others.

The nicotine patch has another advantage: it does not contain the other harmful chemicals present in cigarettes.

The nicotine release strength of the patches vary. Some patches release nicotine for 16 hours, others for 24 hours. You can use a patch that releases a higher dose of nicotine initially and then taper off the dose by using patches that release smaller doses.

This allows the smoker to regulate the nicotine intake. However, it is yet to be established as to what is more beneficial: gradual reduction in the dose of nicotine or its sudden stoppage. Similarly, it is difficult to say whether 24-hour patches are more effective than 16-hour patches. However, it has been established that using a nicotine patch usually doubles the rate of success for people who are motivated to give up smoking, as compared to those who rely only on their willpower alone.

A nicotine patch should be applied to a clean skin that is free of hair.

People with high blood pressure and heart problems need to be cautious about using nicotine patches. Similarly, people with diabetes, stomach ulcers, severe liver or kidney problems, or an over active thyroid gland need to consult their doctor before using a nicotine patch.

Pregnant women, should not use nicotine patches, since nicotine may slow down the growth of the baby. There is therefore no benefit to pregnant woman to stop smoking using this method since the body is still taking up nicotine. If you are pregnant therefore and want to stop smoking, you might want to take a look at other natural stop smoking aids - possibly by looking at the book written by Allen Carr specifically for pregnant woman on how to stop smoking.

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