Freely available nicotine replacement therapy raises rate of people who quit smoking

The results have led the authors of the study to claim that it shows the benefits of making a life-saving medicine freely available to smokers given the demonstrated effectiveness of NRT in its various forms of patch, gum, lozenge, spray and inhaler. File picture

Higher rates of people quitting smoking in Ireland have been found following the introduction of universal access to free nicotine replacement therapy in February 2023, according to the findings of new research.

The study by researchers from the HSE found 41% of smokers who had access to free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) had quit smoking after four weeks compared to 29% when it was not freely available. After 12 weeks, the proportion of individuals who had stopped smoking with free NRT was 29% in contrast to 20% when it had to be paid for.