Health TapDo you like nicotine? Then the Food and Drug
Administration has some good news for you! No, seriously: Yesterday
the FDA announced that
it’s not a huge deal if you use a smoking cessation aid (or
“nicotine replacement therapy,” in the FDA’s words) for longer than
the recommended period, nor is it a big deal if you use a smoking
cessation aid and smoke a cigarette at the same time. 

Years of clinical research, the FDA says, have shown that “some
warnings and limitations specified in the directions for use on the
labels of these products are no longer necessary to make sure they
are used safely and effectively to quit smoking.” To that end

FDA is allowing the companies who make these OTC products to
make several changes to the warnings and limitations in the
directions for use on their labels to allow some flexibility on how
they are used and for how long. These changes mean the following
for consumers:

– There are no significant safety concerns associated with using
more than one OTC NRT at the same time, or using an OTC NRT at the
same time as another nicotine-containing product—including a
cigarette. If you are using an OTC NRT while trying to quit smoking
but slip up and have a cigarette, you should not stop using the
NRT. You should keep using the OTC NRT and keep trying to quit.

– NRT users should still pick a day to quit smoking, and begin
using the OTC NRT product on their “quit” day, even if they aren’t
immediately able to stop smoking.

– Users of NRT products should still use the product for the
length of time indicated in the label—for example, 8, 10 or 12
weeks. However, if they feel they need to continue using the
product for longer in order to quit, it is safe to do so in most
cases. Consumers are advised to consult their health care
professional if they feel the need to use an OTC NRT for longer
than the time period recommended in the label.

None of this is news to folks who heretofore have, for
reasons of both pleasure and weakness of will, mixed a fresh piece
of Nicorette with a Parliament, or used Nicorette forever and ever.
Writing on his blog, Reason contributor Jacob Grier calls the FDA’s
announcement a “sensible move,” and wonders what it
might mean for e-cigarettes.