Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

This can help if withdrawal symptoms are troublesome. Nicotine gum, sprays, patches, tablets, lozenges, and inhalaters are available to buy, and on prescription. Using one of these roughly doubles your chance of stopping smoking if you really want to stop. A pharmacist, GP, or practice nurse can advise about NRT.

• If you are not yet pregnant, but are planning a pregnancy, an option is to try a course of NRT before becoming pregnant
• If you are pregnant, you should consider carefully with your doctor whether NRT is right for you. NRT is a medicine and may have effects on the baby. But, many people argue that NRT is safer than smoking as, unlike smoking, NRT just gives you nicotine. Smoking gives you nicotine plus a lot of toxic chemicals. So, if NRT does enable you to stop smoking, it may be worthwhile to take it even if you are pregnant.

Other stop smoking medicines

Stop smoking medicines such as Zyban and Champix may also help you to cope with cravings. They are only available on prescription and should be taken 1-2 weeks before you start to quit. They are not available if you are pregnant.

What about counselling?

If you are committed to stopping smoking, but are finding it difficult, you may be helped by a counsellor who is trained to help people to stop smoking. There are over 150 local NHS Stop Smoking Services around England which offer one-to-one or group support sessions and advice from trained experts. Ask your GP, practice nurse or midwife for more details and find your nearest local NHS Stop Smoking Service online.

Further help and information

NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline - Tel: 0800 169 9 169 This is a confidential support service. A specially trained person will answer your call who will listen to your needs, suggest different ways of giving up smoking and can send you a free information pack. Ask them to tell you about your nearest local NHS Stop Smoking Service.

Go Smokefree website - http://www.nhs.uk/gosmokefree. An online resource run by the NHS for all the advice, information and support you need to stop smoking and stay stopped. Includes a section about smoking in pregnancy.

Quit - A charity that helps people to stop smoking. Quitline: 0800 00 22 00 Web: www.quit.org.uk.

Read on for info about pregnancy and rubella

© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: June 2006 PRODIGY Validated

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