[Nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation: what choice for its status?]

The behavioral and pharmacological mechanisms of nicotine addiction are comparable to those of other addictive substances such as heroine, cocaine.... Nicotine replacement therapy is the most efficient medication to help smoking cessation for dependent smokers. Nicotine products are sold over the counter (OTC) in many countries. This measure may enhance the number of abstinent smokers, but many precautions are necessary: doses and duration must be tailored to the type and intensity of dependence; a protracted follow-up is essential to prevent relapse; all cessation providers, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, dentists, psychologists ... are effective participants in smoking cessation.