Ready to leave smoking behind? Take a look at gums, strips, and pouches to help you make an informed decision and kick cigarettes for good.
Quitting smoking is one of the very best decisions you can make for your health, and, although the process can be challenging, the good news is there are plenty of smoke-free alternatives to help make the transition seamless.
You have pouches, gum, nicotine strips, no name a few, but the trick is finding the right mix for you.
This guide can help you explore your options, and we'll share some of our favourite products with you, too.
According to the NHS, a combination approach is often more effective at helping you manage cravings and reduce the urge to smoke cigarettes, especially during stressful moments. Research has shown that combining nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) leads to higher success rates in quitting smoking.
Different methods of nicotine replacement work in different ways:
Vapes deliver nicotine quickly, similar to cigarettes. Gum / strips are deliver nicotine a bit more slowly, and patches usually have the slowest release..
Vapes or gums also allow you to adjust dose moment to moment, while patches give a baseline that helps avoid strong withdrawal spikes.
Vaping substitutes much of the “hand-to-mouth” and “inhalation habit” you get through smoking. Gum or strips give something oral to keep your mouth busy.
And, because there are lots of places where smoking and vaping aren't allowed, some of these NRTs can be more practical.
Gums are slower acting than vaping but very useful for discreet top-ups and in places you can’t vape, like offices, schools, or even airports. Gum is especially helpful when the urge to smoke is triggered by emotional stress and can help you kick the urge to smoke in those moments. Here’s our top pick:
Doozy Chewz Apple Ice (40 pieces, 2mg per piece), is one of our favourites. It's ideal for those who don't want a strong mint vibe, but still appreciate a little sweetness.
These dissolve quickly, are very discreet, and can be when used alongside a baseline method.
Melta Nicotine Strips: These are 2mg-strength strips that are fast acting with minimal fuss.
Lost Mary Airplane Mode Nicotine Films: These are ultra-thin dissolvable films with some great flavours.
JOLT Nicotine Strips: These strips come in 2mg or 4mg strengths with some exciting flavour profiles, too.
Here are a few ideas for mixing methods. These sample plans are designed to help you stop smoking by combining different alternatives. It's always a good idea to talk to your GP for tailored, medical advice, but here are some combinations to consider:
|
Plan Type |
Baseline |
Top-ups / Rescue |
|
Light smoker (5-10 cigarettes/day) |
Low strength patch or moderate strength gum |
Occasional vape (low-nic salt) or gum / strip when craving strong |
|
Heavy smoker (> 20 cigarettes/day) |
High strength patch or frequent dosing with gum / pouches |
Vaping with nic-salt, frequent gum/strip when cravings hit |
|
For situations with restrictions (work, travel etc.) |
Use gum or patches for those times |
Rely on vape when free / permitted |
Always choose the right nicotine strength for you.
Be consistent with the baseline method.
Watch your dosage. If you’re using patches + vaping + gum, the total nicotine dose could become too high for you.
Pick a baseline method (patches, gums, or pouches) to suppress most cravings.
Use a fast‐acting rescue (vape, gum, strip) when urges are strong.
Gradually taper off both, starting with the rescue, then baseline.
It's an individual journey you're on, and the “best mix” is the one you’ll stick with.
Ready to get started?
Pouch Central has a great range of nicotine replacement products in stock now. Check out the links above, choose what fits your lifestyle, and start building your mix.
