Licensed nicotine-containing products (NCPs) are defined as any product with a marketing authorisation for use as a smoking cessation aid and for harm reduction. The use of licensed NCPs is a key part of tobacco harm reduction approaches. People taking a harm reduction approach should be advised that:

• Licensed NCPs are a safe and effective way of reducing the amount they smoke
• Licensed NCPs can be used as a complete or partial substitute for tobacco, either in the short or long term
• It is better to use these products and reduce the amount smoked than to continue smoking at their current level
• One product or a combination of different products can be used. For example, a fast-acting product such as a lozenge will deal with immediate cravings and a longer-acting product like a nicotine patch will give a steadier supply of nicotine
• If possible, each cigarette should be replaced with a licensed NCP (e.g. a lozenge or a piece of gum). Ideally, this should be used before the usual time they would have smoked the cigarette, to allow for the slower nicotine release from the product
• Licensed NCPs can be used for as long as they help to reduce the desire to smoke and for the long term if necessary to prevent relapse
• Some NCPs, such as e-cigarettes, are not regulated, so their effectiveness, safety and quality cannot be assured. However, you can advise that these products are likely to be less harmful than cigarettes.

When counselling patients, explain how to use licensed NCPs correctly and ensure they know how to achieve a sufficiently high dose to control cravings, prevent compensatory smoking and achieve their goals on stopping or reducing the amount they smoke.