title: Assessing the reach of nicotine replacement therapy as a preventive public health measure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a key public health intervention to reduce smoking. We assessed prevalence and correlates of use of NRT in Ontario, where NRT is available without prescription.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were a representative sample of 2262 adult smokers in the Ontario Tobacco Survey cohort. Prospectively measured use of NRT over a 6-month period was reported in relation to smoking behaviour and history, attempts to quit, receipt of other supports for cessation supports and attitudes toward NRT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 11% of smokers used NRT over the six-month follow-up period. Prevalence was 25% among the 27% of smokers matching clinical guidelines that recommend NRT as a therapeutic option, and low among smokers not trying to quit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With increasing accessibility of NRT, further surveillance and research are warranted to determine the impact of the reach and benefits of NRT, considering both the general and targeted smoking populations.
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Sue.Bondy@utoronto.ca
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bondy
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Diemert
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Victor
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009864:Ontario; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011634:Public Health; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs