Adolescents' self-reported reasons for using nicotine replacement therapy products: a population-based study

Background

Available research provides evidence that adolescents use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products. Yet, little is known about reasons and motives behind their use. The present study examined the reasons for NRT use among 14–18-year-old Finnish adolescents.

Method

A national Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey was conducted in Finland in 2009 (N = 4834, response rate 55%). Main measures were prevalence of NRT use, self-reported reasons for using NRT and smoking status.

Results

Overall, 10% had used NRT. Boys used NRT more often than girls (11.5% versus 8.7%, p < .001). The three most commonly reported reasons were ‘just try’ (56%), ‘to quit’ (33%) and ‘smoking not possible’ (24%). “Just try” was the most common reason given by non-smokers/experimental smokers whereas daily/occasional smokers used NRT mainly for quitting purposes and when smoking was impossible.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that when planning treatment plans for adolescent smokers, health care personnel should pay particular attention to adolescents' primary reasons and motives for using NRT before suggesting its use.