Pharmacotherapies for nicotine addiction in adults and adolescents

Abstract

The prevalence of tobacco use has declined substantially in the past few decades, yet it remains the leading cause of preventable death globally. Smoking frequency in adolescents is also alarming and is often associated with greater susceptibility to health problems in their adult lives. Unlike the extensive body of literature that exists for adults, research on smoking cessation approaches for adolescents is scarce. This review discusses current pharmacological and psychosocial interventions available for both adults and adolescents. Anti-smoking medications approved for adult smokers are either nicotine based (i.e., nicotine patch, gum, inhaler, nasal spray and lozenges) or non-nicotine based (i.e., sustained-release bupropion and varenicline), all of which improve abstinence by acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain. Non-pharmacological interventions targeting the psychosocial aspects of smoking addiction include brief counselling, cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, contingency management, relapse-prevention strategies, social influence and mobile phone-based programs.