The effect of nicotine, silver acetate, and placebo chewing gum on the cessation of smoking. The influence of smoking type and nicotine dependence

Abstract

The effects of nicotine (NI), silver acetate (SA), and ordinary (PL) chewing gum on the cessation of smoking were compared through ratings on six smoking types and physiological nicotine dependence (F-score) in a placebo-controlled and randomized study that included 496 smokers in a group-support setting. Results were evaluated after 26 weeks. Ratings on smoking types 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 and F-score were related to success rates. The effect of NI was superior to SA in smokers with high type 1 ratings, the effects of NI and SA were almost equal and superior to PL in smokers with high type 4 and 6 ratings, and the effect was independent of the F-score. Treatment of smokers with NI and SA should be restricted to smoking types in which an effect superior to PL is documented, and research should be performed to find support for smoking types where SA and NI have a clear effect.