Targeting Nicotine Addiction - The Possibility of a Healthier Future

Use of tobacco accounts for the highest number of illnesses and deaths around the world. Even though many people are well acquainted with the ill effects of tobacco consumption, they get addicted to its use. This addiction owes to the nicotine dependence in smokers or people consuming tobacco. If allowed for adequate awareness, the counselling becomes the first line of treatment but very few people get convinced to quit this habit and thus agents such as nicotine replacement therapy come into play as a major factor in increasing the number of quit rates. The efficacy may depend on the route of NRT administration which may vary from nicotine gums, lozenges, sublingual tablets, inhalers etc. This review article discusses both the current use and future of NRT.