Having smoked since the age of 12, I wasn't looking forward to giving up. I have never tried before, but needs must, as money has become quite tight for us at the moment. My partner and I smoke about 20 a day, each. If you work that out, you are probably looking at between £40 and £50 a week.
Having got children, we thought it would be a good idea to stop. For our health, their health and to help with the money situation that we are in.
I'm not one for chewing gum, and I'm allergic to plasters, so that rules the gum and the patches out, for me anyway. I didn't like the thought of the nasal spray, as I don't like putting things up my nose! What else is there, that could possibly help?
I popped along to my local chemist, and explained that we had given up smoking, and that we were managing fine, but I missed holding something in my hand. I missed the movement of putting my fingers to my mouth, inhaling and exhaling. (I tried to convince myself that a biro would work, but it didn't. I chewed the end off and got ink all over my mouth.)
The man in the chemist showed me a nicorette inhalator. I never hesitated, I bought two. One for me and one for my partner. I went home, read the booklet, put it together, and have hardly used it! Not because it is bad, but because I didn't need it as much as I thought I did.
This product comes in a white box, with green and purple detail. The front of the box, has the name of the product on it, and five purple circles, decsending in size. The name
of the product is in green.
The white carry case, has just enough room in it, for the inhalator, and the six cartridges. It is about five inches tall and three inches wide. It has the same detail on it as the box, that it came in.
The white inhalator, is about 3 inches long and is not that much wider than a cigarette. It is round at one end, seperates in the middle and is flat with a little opening at the other end. The flat bit, is the mouth piece.
The cartridges that are supplied are little clear tubes, about an inch in length. Inside them, they have a little white piece of sponge, that contains the nicotine. The six cartridges are inside a silver dispenser. You simply press on the cartridge to release it.
The booklet, is also white, with the same detail as the box. It offers you instructions on how to use this product and were to get help from. It is handsized, but it does not fit inside that white carry case!
*******************WHEN AND HOW TO USE****************
The inhalator should be used, when you crave a cigarette. It is a replacement and therefore you should not smoke if you are going to use this product. You are informed, by the booklet, that you can use upto 12 cartridges a day. It also states that between 6 and 12 is the normal.
This inhalator can be used for upto three months. For the first eight weeks of non smoking life, you can use upto 12 cartridges a day, but then after that, as your routine changes, you can then begin to cut down on the amount that you use. It is recommended that you cut down, by half, after eight weeks.
After two weeks of using the lesser amount, it is recommended that you stop all together. Your habits and routine should have changed, and you should be less use to holding something all the time, and putting your fingers to your mouth.
Putting together and using the inhalator is very straight forward. Which is a good thing, as my brian doesn't seem to be functioning properly since I packed up smoking. The smallest task, is a challenge for me at the moment.
The inhalator, seperates into two pieces. A mouth piece and a body piece. The mouth piece is the flat bit. Each section has a little arrow on it.
*You need to line up the arrows on the two pieces and pull then apart.
*Place a cartridge inside the mouth piece. (the flat bit)
*Line up the arrows again, and push the two pieces together.
The cartridges are to provide you with a little nicotine boost, without the smoke, tar and other poisonous gases that a cigarette provides. The nicotine goes straight to the bloodstream and the more you use it, the higher the level of nicotine inside you there is, which is what relieves the craving!
Each cartridge will provide about 20 minutes use. You can use this 20 minutes how you like. All 20 minutes at once. Ten minutes, then put it away till another carving and then another ten minutes. Five minutes, then put it away, then another five minutes kater, then out it away again. You get the picture. You can do what you like!
It states in the booklet, that for someone who use to smoke 20 cigarettes a day, between six and twelve cartridges should be adequate, each day, to start with.
I bought mine from Lloyds chemist and the inhalator cost me £5.95 each. This is for the starter kit. The additional cartridges are priced at £19.95 for 48.
I must advise you to please read the booklet, if you decide to buy this product. There is a list of illnesses that you need to check you do not have, if you intend to use this product. There is also a list of possible side effects, that you may experience.Do not use this product if you:
Are pregnant
Have high blood pressure
Have Pains in the chest
Are diabetic
Have a stomaxche ulcer
Have liver problems
Have kidney problems
Side effects that you may experience are:
Headches
Sore throat
Mouth ulcers
Anxiety
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
I have not listed them all, as there are too many, in each section, so please, read the booklet first!**********************MY OPINION**********************
I wasn't finding it particularly hard to stop smoking, but I was missing the frequent movements with my hands. I also miss the inhaling and exhaling part. Although the inhalator doesn't provide me with anything to exhale, it provides me with something to hold, and something to inhale.
I have found that I am using it less than what it stated. Having smoked 20 a day, for years, I should be using between 6 and 12 cartridges a day. The first day I bought this, I used one. The second day I used it, I used one. (today is my second day of using it and my third day of not smoking).
My partner hasn't even taken his out of the box! He is finding it a little harder than me, but instead of using this, he is filling his face full of sweets! I don't want to do this, as I am trying to loose weight aswell!
I have to say, that I only really crave a cigarette, when I am on the computer. It is the only time I am finding it really, really difficult. I now keep this little inhalator, at the computer, just for this purpose. When I feel the urge for a cigarette, I have a little puff on this, and then put it down. I only have one puff and then go back to it a few minutes later, if I need to.
Today is my third day of being a non smoker! I have used one cartridge and have just put a second one in, for while I was writing this op.
I have to recommend this product to anyone who is wanting to give up, as I have noticed that it helps. My hands are kept busy and my brain thinks I am having a cigarette as it keeps getting just a little bit of nicotine, from time to time. It has certainly taken the edge off my mood!
I think that this product is very reasonable, price wise. Especially if you use it less than what is stated. I have a feeling six cartridges will last me about a week. So instead of spending £40 to £50 on cigarettes this week, I have spent £12 on two of these. Like I said my boyfriend hasn't touched his, so that is two weeks supply for me, if he doesn't want it. Saving us a lot of money.
I also feel a little healthier aswell. Although I am trying to loose weight, so that could be what is making me feel better, health wise. Not smoking, is playing it's part though. I actually ran to the shop the other day, and I wasn't on my last legs, when I got there.
In all, a very good, cheap, little, effective product. It is small enough to fit in your pocket and you can take it anywhere. No more being told you can't smoke on buses, in the pictures, in resturants ect... If you feel the craving coming on, a couple of puffs, will take it away. Easy, simple, effective.
Highly recommended!
I'm sorry if there are a few spelling mistakes throughout this opinion, I have tried to check it, but my brain isn't working as good as usual, due to me not smoking. I can not seem to hold onto a thought for long and I keep making silly mistakes. It has taken me ages to write this opinion, as I keep loosing my train of thought!
Thank you for reading :)
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Compact, discreet, case feels like a pack of fags, and it honestly works too Disadvantages: Inhaler too wide to hold between your fingers, doesn't taste of anything
Sep 14th, 2002
very helpful by (100%):
