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Berlin. Over-the-counter medications containing nicotine can certainly help smokers kick the habit, but they do not provide the complete solution, the German pharmacists' chamber warned ahead of the pending wave of New Year resolutions never to buy another pack of cigarettes.

"Everyone knows that smoking is unhealthy, and virtually all smokers have at some stage tried to stop," says Andreas Kiefer from the chamber's headquarters in Berlin.

"It's difficult, because nicotine consumption causes physical dependency." This is why the medications containing nicotine can help, but they are not enough for a permanent solution to the craving.

In cases where smoking is linked to particular situations, for example a cigarette after a meal, the person trying it give up should find alternative rituals to distract from the desire to smoke.

If smoking is linked in the smoker's mind with drinking a cup of coffee, then perhaps he or she needs to give up the coffee as well and drink something else.

If the craving becomes overwhelming, there are three steps that should be attempted: first postpone by taking 10 deep breaths; second avoid by for example skirting round the smoking area in the workplace; and third distract, perhaps by calling someone on your mobile. Sucking on a sweet can also help.

Within seconds of lighting up, the brain's receptor centre is activated by the nicotine and the smoker rapidly has a sensation of being wide awake and relaxed at the same time.

But it is not long before physical dependency sets in, and then without a regular nicotine hit, symptoms such as restlessness or irritability show themselves.

Smokers trying to quit give way and light up again in order to repress these unpleasant sensations. The over-the-counter medications containing nicotine can help here to reduce that.

"They are only intended as transitional measures," Kiefer says.

Depending on the smoker's behavioral patterns, they come as chewing gum, tablets, patches or in an inhaler.

Chewing gum is suitable primarily for smokers who indulge at specific points in the day. They are slowly chewed, releasing a peppery taste, and then held in the cheek until the taste dissipates.

This may be repeated after half an hour.

The patches are intended for those who smoke at regular intervals all day long, the patches providing a constant concentration of nicotine in the blood. Some last for 16 hours and some for 24.

DPA