title: Are instructions for over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy products readable?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine readability characteristics of step-by-step directions presented in "How to Use" sections of over-the-counter (OTC) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.
  
  
  METHODS
  Step-by-step directions of all (n=6) currently available OTC NRTs were assessed on reading grade level, text point size, dimensions, and illustrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean readability was at grade level 10.5+/-0.8, whereas the average text point size was 9.2+/-1.3. Two OTC NRT products provided illustrations to supplement step-by-step directions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As currently presented, the readability characteristics of "How to Use" sections of OTC NRTs do not facilitate consumer understanding.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Knoxville, TN 37920, USA.
authors.forename: Amy B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: Kelly S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: McDaniel
authors.forename: Elbert D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Glover
authors.forename: Lorraine S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Wallace
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011932:Reading; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D013663:Teaching
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009538:Nicotine