Soon, getting nicotine gum may get harder

NEW DELHI: Access to smoking cessation aids such as nicotine gum and lozenges may soon be tightened, raising concerns among experts that it may become more difficult for smokers to quit. The trigger was a recommendation by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) to limit over-the-counter (OTC) access to most nicotine replacement products. The proposal only exempts plain 2 mg nicotine gum, not nicotine lozenges (2 mg). Currently, some of these products are available without a license. The proposed changes could mean fewer options and more barriers for those trying to quit smoking. Experts say these concerns stem from the way addiction works. Nicotine (not the act of smoking) is an addictive substance, and withdrawal symptoms often prompt users to return to cigarettes. Nicotine replacement therapy – gum and lozenges – help control symptoms by delivering nicotine without the thousands of harmful chemicals that cause smoking cancer and heart disease. But they are not a guaranteed solution. With more than 1.35 million tobacco-related deaths every year, India relies heavily on available cessation support. Experts warn that even small obstacles can stymie such attempts. The committee proposed safeguards, including a ban on sales to minors. Some experts believe the risks of misuse of nicotine replacement aids may be overstated. Pulmonologist Dr Priyanka Chaudhary Bindroo said: “…limiting WHO-approved smoking cessation aid without contemporary evidence is a step backwards.”