Sales of nicotine replacement products increase sharply after the New Year but quickly decline again, according to statistics from pharmacy chains, which may indicate that many New Year's resolutions to quit smoking fall through.
Be prepared: it will probably be difficult. It is part of the process and part of getting rid of an addiction, says Susanne Tellberg, counselor at the Stockholm Region's quit smoking line.
Preparation is important – a good start is to set a stop date and take stock of your motivation.
Write a list of pros and cons to keep it concrete in front of you. Focus on what is important to you, not the nagging or pressure from others.
Dare to wait out the craving
Preparations can also involve breaking some of your smoking habits, putting away cigarettes, talking to friends, and developing strategies.
How should I handle it when the craving comes? It varies, but let's say the craving lasts up to a minute. If you dare to wait it out and sit with the difficult feeling, it will pass every time, says Susanne Tellberg.
Walking, music, breathing exercises, or calling a friend can serve as distractions.
Whether or not to cut down on smoking is an individual decision.
Many people think it's best to quit abruptly, and with preparation, there are good opportunities to quit that way. Others think it's too tough, but then it's important to have a plan so that you don't constantly move the goal of quitting.
Physical activity
General basic tips are to eat and drink, preferably water, regularly and be more physically active.
Using, for example, tablets, chewing gum, and nicotine patches can help but is not necessary, according to Susanne Tellberg.
It won't be as abrupt and can help resist cravings.
It is difficult to say how long it takes to break free from smoking cravings and the habit. But after four to six months, the risk of relapse has decreased significantly, according to the Quit Smoking Line.
See it as a short time in life that is a little tough. It is hard for many to quit – and it should be. Find acceptance.
Quitting smoking and getting rid of a nicotine addiction can be difficult, as evidenced by the sales of nicotine replacement therapies around New Year's.
At Kronan's pharmacy, sales increased by 21 percent in January 2025 compared to the previous month. But already in February, sales dropped again, by 15 percent.
For nicotine pouches alone, sales increased by 64 percent in January, only to drop by 35 percent in February.
Apoteket is also seeing a similar trend.
"We are seeing an increased trend in sales of nicotine medications, where New Year's resolutions and the start of a healthier life in January clearly play a role. There is a peak in January but also in March when many who have tried on their own come to us for advice and medication to become nicotine-free," writes Apoteket's communications manager Elin Jarl in an email.
