Habitrol

Habitrol is a range of nicotine replacement medicines that help you stop smoking by relieving cravings and withdrawal. It comes as 24 hour patches, chewing gum and lozenges, and is the funded nicotine replacement brand in New Zealand. Packs are supplied by Haleon.

Start with the format that fits how you smoke. Smoke steadily through the day? A patch gives background nicotine for 24 hours. Smoking tied to moments like coffee or driving? Gum or lozenges cover those urges. Many people combine a Step 1 patch with 2mg gum or 1mg lozenges for strong cravings.

Regular strength (2mg gum, 1mg lozenge) is for people who smoke fewer than 20 cigarettes a day. Extra strength (4mg gum, 2mg lozenge) is for 20 or more a day, or for anyone who did not succeed on the regular strength. The box front states which is which.

They are stages of a step-down program. Step 1 (21mg) is the starting patch for people who smoke 20 or more a day, used for 3 to 4 weeks. Step 2 (14mg) follows it, or is the starting patch for lighter smokers. Step 3 (7mg) finishes the program; ask us if you need it, as we do not currently stock it online.

Only the flavour. Both come in 2mg and 4mg, 96 pieces, and work the same way. The fruit gum also contains benzoates, which the mint does not, so check the label if you avoid them.

Chew slowly until the taste turns strong, then rest the gum between your cheek and gum. When the taste fades, chew again, and repeat for about 30 minutes. Chewing fast releases nicotine too quickly and can cause hiccups or an upset stomach. Avoid coffee and soft drinks for 15 minutes before.

The gum is sweetened with sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, saccharin and acesulfame and lists phenylalanine. The lozenges contain aspartame, a source of phenylalanine, and maltitol, so they are not suitable for people with phenylketonuria. Sugar alcohols in both can have a laxative effect in larger amounts.

Yes. Habitrol is supplied subsidised through Quitline (0800 778 778), local stop-smoking services and on prescription. Buying it here is the quick option if you want to start straight away.