Good Practice Statements for the treatment of nicotine dependence

Abstract

Nicotine dependence is increasing worldwide due to a wide variety of new and emerging products (e.g. heated tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, nicotine pouches, novel herbal products) with tobacco and/or nicotine content, being continuously placed on the market, including online stores. Consumers of conventional tobacco cigarettes try to switch to heated tobacco products or electronic cigarettes but they risk to become dual users or even polyusers. Young people and adolescents are attracted by these new products, characterized by an eye-catching design as well as palatable flavourings. Considering the actual and the near future scenario of people increasingly addicted to different nicotine and/or tobacco products, Good Practice Statements (GPS) for the treatment of nicotine dependence are herein proposed, following the guidance of the GRADE working group. GPS are particularly needed giving the lack of large population studies including types of consumers of new and emerging products other than those exclusively using conventional tobacco cigarettes.

Keywords

• nicotine dependence
• good practice statements
• nicotine cessation
• new and emerging products