Soon, access to nicotine gums may get tougher

NEW DELHI: Access to quitting aids like nicotine gums and lozenges may soon be tightened, raising concerns among experts it could become harder for smokers to quit. The trigger is a recommendation by the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) to restrict over-the-counter (OTC) access to most nicotine replacement products.

The proposal exempts only unflavoured 2-mg nicotine gum and excludes nicotine lozenges (2 mg).

Currently, some of these products are available without a licence. The proposed changes could mean fewer options and more hurdles for those trying to quit. Experts say the concerns stem from how addiction works. Nicotine - not the act of smoking - is an addictive substance, and withdrawal symptoms often push users back to cigarettes. Nicotine replacement therapies - gums and lozenges - help manage the symptoms by delivering nicotine without the thousands of harmful chemicals in tobacco smoking that cause cancer and heart disease. But they are not a guaranteed solution. India, with over 1.35 million tobacco-related deaths annually, depends heavily on accessible support for quitting.

Experts warn even small barriers can discourage such attempts. The board has proposed safeguards, including a ban on sale to minors. Some experts argue the risk of misuse of nicotine replacement aids may be overstated. Pulmonologist Dr Priyanka Chaudhary Bindroo said, "... Restricting a WHO-approved cessation aid without contemporary evidence is a step backward."