Times of India
By Kounteya Sinha
New Delhi, India

Chewing gums, meant to help chain smokers kick the butt, could soon cost a lot lesser.
Being used globally as a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), including in India, the Union health ministry is planning to write to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority to subsidize the price of nicotine chewing gums.

This, they say, will help a lot more Indian access to "this life-saving therapy." At present, NRT is not available in the government’s tobacco control programme. In fact, those wanting to quit smoking have to shell out money from their own pockets to buy these chewing gums. India at present is home to nearly 12 crore smokers. Of these, experts say, only 2% manage to quit smoking every year. A Union health ministry official told TOI, "The World Health Organization recently included NRT under its essential medicines list. So should India. Two forms of NRT to help people quit their addictions to tobacco were placed in WHO’s list – transdermal patches and chewing. In India patches aren’t available but chewing gums are. We will soon write to the NPPA to subsidize its price." At present, a pack of 10 gums cost around Rs 45-90. A chain smoker wanting to quit will need around two packs a day for a maximum of 6 months. Since the government does not provide it, smokers have to pay for it from their pockets which is a huge deterrent.

Dr K Srinath Reddy, head of India’s Public Health Foundation of India told TOI from US, "NRT acts as a bridge to cessation. It has to be doubled with strong counselling. Cost is a major factor why NRTs haven’t caught on in India. They have around 15% efficacy. Reducing their price will get more Indians trying to quit smoking to use NRT. But India has to increase its tobacco cessation centres. At present there are only 19 across India."

Chewing nicotine gum, which comes in two strengths, helps you control your smoking craving. Nicotine gums comes in two strengths. If you smoke 18 or more cigarettes a day then you will need to chew the maximum strength (4mg) gum, otherwise the regular (2mg) will suffice.