Nicotine patches and nicotine chewing gum are suitable for heavy smokers who are particularly addicted to nicotine. However, nicotine replacement products are not necessarily advisable for everyone who wants to stop smoking.

Only around a third of all regular smokers are addicted to the extent that they experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop smoking, which can be alleviated by using nicotine patches or nicotine chewing gum. Abstinence is also achieved more quickly if you give up nicotine completely immediately and do not take any nicotine-containing medication. Most people agree that quitting cold turkey increases motivation to persevere, whereas using nicotine replacement products often leads to moral weakness. Cold turkey also reduces the likelihood of starting to smoke again. Those who alleviate the withdrawal symptoms with medication are more easily tempted to smoke again later.
The most important basic prerequisite for quitting smoking is a firm decision to quit. Long-term abstinence requires motivation and self-control. The basic attitude cannot be provided by nicotine replacement products, as the medication only affects physical symptoms and is intended to make the initial withdrawal phase easier.
Physical withdrawal only lasts for a relatively short time. After that, there is mainly psychological dependence, which cannot be alleviated by medication. This phase is particularly dependent on the smoker's basic attitude and willpower.

Nevertheless, the benefits of nicotine replacement products have been proven beyond doubt. If you really want to stop smoking, you should not give up even if the cessation has been alleviated by medication. If you have any doubts, you should talk to your doctor.