Advancement with Nicotine Replacement Treatment for Patients with Tobacco Addiction- A Narrative Review

Abstract Tobacco use remains a significant public health issue globally as there is a rapid increase in tobacco products among teenagers. Nicotine is the main active ingredient in tobacco products that reinforce individual to exhibit tobacco addiction behaviour. Despite the widely recognized health risks of tobacco use and the proven benefits of quitting, most smokers find it difficult to achieve and sustain long-term abstinence. FDA-approved medications are NRT in the form of gum, patches, lozenge, nasal spray and inhaler, varenicline, and bupropion. The various types of NRT products have different efficacy levels and variable nicotine absorption rates. They are available under these agencies: US, FDA (OTC), MHRA (OTC), and MHRA (Rx). Most of NRT users discontinue treatment prematurely. When craving and withdrawal are well controlled via treatment, patients may mistakenly assume that the treatment is no longer necessary and this beliefs undermine the effectiveness of NRT. This can be tackled majorly by providing information, counselling by health professionals to the patients undergoing NRT. It offer several benefits, but their effectiveness in achieving long-term smoking cessation remains limited. While NRT can be a valuable component of adolescent smoking cessation strategies, it should be supplemented with strong behavioural support and personalized interventions. Recent research is increasingly exploring rapid delivery methods and immunological approaches to enhance NRT efficacy.