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. 2025 Feb 25:16:1525510.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1525510. eCollection 2025.

Nicotine replacement therapy as a smoking cessation tool for adolescents: an update

Ioannis Beis  1 , Anastasios Dimou  2 , Serafeim-Chrysovalantis Kotoulas  3 , Athanasia Pataka  1
Affiliations

Nicotine replacement therapy as a smoking cessation tool for adolescents: an update

Ioannis Beis et al. Front Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: Adolescent smoking is a significant public health concern, as early nicotine addiction leads to more severe addiction and reduced cessation success during adulthood. While nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is an effective smoking cessation tool in adults, its efficacy in adolescents is less clear.

Objective: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness and safety of NRT for smoking cessation in adolescents.

Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and Cochrane Library databases identified 12 studies (randomized controlled trials and observational) examining NRT in adolescents. Outcomes included smoking cessation rates, withdrawal symptom relief, smoking reduction, and adverse events.

Results: NRT demonstrated limited success in long-term smoking cessation among adolescents, with low cessation rates that often declined post-treatment. However, NRT was effective in reducing smoking frequency and in managing withdrawal symptoms in some cases. The safety profile was generally favourable, with mild side effects such as skin irritation, headaches, and nausea.

Conclusion: While NRT can reduce smoking and alleviate withdrawal symptoms, its effectiveness in sustaining long-term cessation in adolescents is limited. Adherence challenges and side effects suggest a need for complementary behavioural support and further research into tailored NRT strategies for this population.

Keywords: adolescents; e-cigarette; nicotine replacement therapy; smoking cessation; systematic review.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Quality assessment of RCTS with RoB 2 tool.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flowchart of selection process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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