Cut Down to Stop
With the Cut Down to Stop method of quitting smoking, you cut down and gradually substitute cigarettes with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) until you are ready to stop for good.
Using NRT to replace cigarettes whilst reducing smoking has proven to be more effective than trying to cut down and stop using willpower alone.
During the standard Cut Down to Stop programme the number of cigarettes smoked is gradually reduced in four simple steps:
Step 1
0-6 weeks: Cut cigarette consumption by 50%
Establish how many cigarettes you smoke and aim to reduce them by 50%, using NRT whenever you feel the urge to smoke.
Step 2
6 weeks – 6 months:
Continue cutting down until you are ready to stop smoking. If you have managed to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke after six weeks, continue to use NRT to reduce your smoking progressively until you feel ready to attempt to stop smoking completely.
Step 3
6 – 9 months: Stop smoking
When you're ready to stop smoking completely, cut out all cigarettes and continue to use NRT for up to a further three months.
Step 4
9 - 12 months: Stop smoking
Gradually cut down the amount of NRT you are using until you are able to stop completely.
NICORETTE® Gum
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NICORETTE® Inhalator
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