There are several quitting aids on the market, and they all come with pros and cons. It’s important to be informed, and go into this journey with an open mind. Just because one cessation aid works for someone else doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll work for you. And that’s okay. There are lots of options out there, and your doctor can help you find one that fits your circumstances.
Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs)
Nicotine replacement therapies are your traditional over-the-counter quitting aids. They deliver stepped doses of nicotine to help you beat the cravings.
- Nicotine patches
- Nicotine gum
- Spray
- Lozenges
- Inhalers
NRTs are a great tool, but they won’t necessarily be right for everybody. Some studies have shown that combination therapies (i.e. slow-acting patches plus fast-acting gum) can have better results. Once you’ve created your myduke® account, you can buy NRTs through our online pharmacy.
Nicotine vaping products
Nicotine vaping products (also known as ‘vapes’) are only available in Australia with an authorised nicotine prescription. This is where myduke® comes in. We’re one of several companies registered to legally prescribe nicotine vapes. For more information about vaping’s legal landscape, check out our recent article.
NVPs can be a useful cessation tool, as they mimic the familiar hand-to-mouth motion of cigarettes while also delivering carefully stepped doses of nicotine.
Research has also been done on the effectiveness of NVPs versus traditional NRT. Still, you have to remember a few things:
- NVPs have not yet been approved as smoking cessation aids in Australia.
- More research still needs to be done on the safety and efficacy of nicotine vapes.
- The long-term effects of vaping, both on health and quitting efficacy, are not yet fully understood.
As with any treatment involving nicotine, vaping comes with risks. It’s important to check with a qualified medical practitioner to see if vapes are right for you.
Prescribed medication
There are a couple nicotine-free prescription medications on the market, which you can pick up at most major pharmacies. They work by reducing the severity of cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Prescription medications in Australia come in two varieties:
Just a heads up: myduke® partner doctors are not currently prescribing nicotine-free medications via our platform. The TGA is also currently investigating low levels of N-nitroso-varenicline in Varenicline products. The global manufacturer, Pfizer, has paused global distribution.
Counselling
Therapy and counselling with a trained professional is another great quitting tool. It has the advantage of no chemical intervention, and studies have shown that tobacco cessation counselling (TCC) can significantly improve your chances of quitting. This even works for telehealth counselling.
There’s also some evidence to suggest that nicotine cessation aids, like NRT and NVPs, are more effective when combined with therapy, so it’s worth considering multiple overlapping cessation aids.
Cold Turkey
Cold turkey simply means going without cigarettes, nicotine, or any form of cessation aid. For some people, it’s the hardest way to quit smoking. Your body still craves its regular dose of nicotine, and the withdrawal effects from that process can be quite severe.
Still, it can work for some people. One study found that about 68% of smokers try to quit cold turkey, and those who do are almost twice as likely to abstain for a month (compared to those who used a ‘cut-down’ approach). The long-term success rate of cold turkey is less certain, however.
Whichever cessation aid you choose, it’s important to make an informed decision, backed up by medical advice.