Smoking 
Smoking is the largest single cause of disease and death. Cigarettes are advertised in magazines, newspapers, radio, T.V., and at many sporting events. Every packet of cigarette sold, has a statement that smoking cigarettes may result in ill health, however, it is doubtful if this is enough to discourage people from smoking. Smoking causes cancer, but not many people are aware that it is also associated with coronary heart disease, peptic ulcer, bronchitis and other respiratory diseases.1
It is estimated that of every 1000 people who smoke, six will die in road accidents, while 250 will die prematurely due to smoking. Studies have also confirmed the increased harmful effects of passive smoking in the last decade, leading to changes in policies aimed at preventing smoking in public places.1
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been shown to double the success rate of those attempting to stop smoking when compared with using nothing at all. NRT can be obtained without prescription in most community pharmacies, and is also available on prescription from GPs and smoking cessation clinics.
Nicotine products currently licensed in the UK are (NICE, 2002):2
1. Nicotine transdermal patches 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg per 16 hours (Nicorette®, Pharmacia); 7 mg, 14 mg, 21 mg per 24 hours (NICOTINELL® TTS 10, TTS 20 and TTS 30, Novartis Consumer Health); 7 mg, 14- mg, 21 mg (NiQuitin CQ®, GlaxoSmithKline).
2. Nicotine chewing gum 2 mg, 4 mg (Nicorette®, Pharmacia) (Nicotinell®, Novartis Consumer Health).
3. Nicotine 2 mg sublingual tablet (Nicorette Microtab, Pharmacia).
4. Nicotine 1mg lozenge (Nicotinell®, Novartis Consumer Health).
5. Nicotine 10 mg inhalation cartridge plus mouthpiece (Nicorette Inhalator, Pharmacia).
6. Nicotine 0.5 mg per puff metered nasal spray (Nicorette®, Pharmacia)
7. Nicotine 2 mg and 4 mg lozenges (NiQuitin CQ®, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)).