The two smoking cessation aids that have received the most press and have reputations for being effective are nicotine patches and nicotine gum. At the heart of both these methods is the idea of changing how the nicotine is delivered. By not having to smoke tobacco to receive its ingredient (nicotine), the negative health effects of smoking are averted. While these two approaches have worked for many quitters, for some there is a propensity to slip up and smoke in conjunction with the use of the patch or gum. One of the reasons most commonly cited for this tendency is that while the person is receiving the nicotine they want, they miss the process and social aspects of smoking.
For some smokers, taking a break to go have a cigarette is what gets them through the workday and popping a piece of gum is just not the same. Similarly, some unsuccessful quitters have noted that they miss the social component of smoking while out with friends, particularly if they are around smokers.
