Many people find that nicotine-containing chewing gum is the easiest option when giving up smoking, replacing the smoking habit with chewing and gradually reducing the nicotine cravings. Chewing gum can contain differing levels of nicotine depending on your smoking habits, so you use a lower strength if you have been smoking less than 20 cigarettes a day, for instance. Nicorette gum is a popular choice and it can sometimes be used in conjunction with nicotine patches, which are a discreet and easy way to manage your slow withdrawal from nicotine.

We often recommend Nicorette QuickMist Mouth Spray, designed to deliver a small amount of nicotine to keep cravings at bay in a mint-flavoured spray to keep breath fresh and clean. Sometimes having a task to do with your hands can help to relieve the physical sense of addiction, which makes sprays or inhalers a particularly useful aid in giving up smoking. As your body adjusts, you can reduce the amount of sprays or inhalations you need, and your mind will also adjust to the new habits you are creating.

Replacing smoking with a healthier habit can be helpful, and some people find that taking up knitting or another craft based hobby is a good option. Try not to replace smoking with snacking on unhealthy processed foods, as this may lead to another unhealthy habit, but challenge yourself to discover different healthy options and learn to make some new meals or snacks from scratch to keep you occupied and treat yourself.

Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we offer smoking cessation services as well as weight management services and lifestyle advice. We also have an excellent range of healthcare products for infants, children and adults, as well as beauty products, skincare and seasonal gifts. Our friendly team of trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can offer you support and advice on any health-related queries, and we will always do our best to help. We’d love to meet you in our Irish independently-owned community Pharmacy in Castletroy, Limerick or you can order online for delivery across Ireland.