MYTHS ABOUT QUIT SMOKING TREATMENTS
There are quite a few myths and misconceptions about quit smoking treatments (e.g. nicotine replacement products) out there, which can impede your journey to being smoke-free. Why? Well, the crux of the matter is this: if you mistakenly think nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), for example, isn’t appropriate or safe for you, you’ll probably avoid it, and you might then end up struggling to stop smoking more than you really need to (there’s a reason the phrase “going cold turkey” sounds unappetizing!).
But don’t worry – we want to help make sure your quit smoking journey goes as smoothly as possible, so we’ve set out to dispel some of the common myths about smoking cessation aids in this article. Without further ado, let’s find out if the following common beliefs about quit smoking treatments are fact or fiction.
Are nicotine replacement products bad for your health? Does nicotine cause cancer?
No, nicotine does not cause cancer.1 It’s the other toxic chemicals in cigarettes, like carbon monoxide and tar, that are so harmful to your health.1 (Did you know that tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, more than 70 of which are known carcinogens (cancer-causing substances)?1 It’s no wonder the health benefits of quitting smoking are so significant!)
NRT (and other stop smoking aids like e-cigarettes) contain nowhere near the amount of harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, while still providing the nicotine your body craves as you transition to a smoke-free life.1 Find out more about the nicotine replacement products offered by THRIVE.
Do stop smoking treatments actually help you quit smoking, or are they just a waste of money?
Research suggests that NRT products can double your chances of successfully quitting smoking,1 which is nothing to sneeze at, if you ask us! A successful quit means a happier (as well as healthier) life – read more about the many and varied benefits of a smoke-free life, if you need a little motivational boost.
Is it dangerous to use more than one NRT product at a time?
Not at all. Using more than one nicotine replacement product at a time is actually an approach (called “combination therapy”) that often improves your chances of success.1 It’s quite common to use nicotine patches to provide a baseline level of nicotine, and then supplement with a faster acting NRT product like nicotine gum or lozenges, to help with more immediate cravings.1 Please consult a doctor before combination different NRT products.
Find out more about THRIVE Gums and Lozenges – to help you stay on track when sudden nicotine cravings threaten to throw you off course.
- 10 myths about stop smoking treatments. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/10-myths-about-stop-smoking-treatments/. Accessed November 8, 2021. Referenced text is highlighted in source PDF.
