Key findings from the 2009 New Zealand ... - Ministry of Health

Use of nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in the New Zealand setting includes patches, gum
and lozenges. These products work by reducing the severity of nicotine withdrawal
symptoms by replacing some of the nicotine a smoker usually gets from cigarettes. It is
a safe and effective treatment that doubles the chances of long-term quitting success.
NRT has not been shown to cause cancer or heart disease, and is much safer than
smoking (The Quit Group 2009).
There were no significant differences in use of NRT by sex or neighbourhood
deprivation.
Use of nicotine replacement therapy, by age group
The recent quit attempters in the older age groups were more likely to use NRT in their
most recent quit attempt than those in younger age groups (confirmed using logistic
regression) (Figure 40).
Figure 40: Use of NRT during most recent quit attempt, among recent quit attempters aged
15–64 years, by age group (unadjusted prevalence)
60
Percent
50
40
30
20
10
0
15.9 10.6 17.4 18.9 27.6 31.5
*
15–19 20–24 25–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60–64
Age group (years)
Source: 2009 New Zealand Tobacco Use Survey
* The value for 60–64-year-olds cannot be provided due to small numbers.
Tobacco Use in New Zealand 61