If you plan to take nicotine medications, begin using them on the day you quit. If you continue to have strong urges to smoke or are struggling to stop smoking completely, ask your health care provider about additional help. The nicotine patch releases a constant amount of nicotine in the body. The patches are similar to adhesive bandages and are available in different shapes and sizes. A larger patch delivers more nicotine through the skin.
Less nicotine is obtained through the patch than in cigarettes.
The patch also does not contain all the tars and poisonous gases that are found in cigarettes. Studies have shown that it is much easier to give up the patch than it would be to give up cigarettes for two reasons. First, people usually develop cravings for things that provide immediate satisfaction, such as chocolate. With the patch, the nicotine level in the body stays relatively constant day after day. There is no immediate satisfaction, so there is little craving for a patch.