NICOTINE-CONTAINING CHEWING GUM IN SMOKING CESSATION - DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL WITH HALF YEAR FOLLOW-UP

A double-blind trial on the effect of nicotine-containing chewing gum compared with a placebo gum in smoking cessation was organized in connection with smoking cessation course activity in North Karelia, Finland. During the three-week course 70% of the active group (N = 84) and 54% of the placebo group (N = 76) stopped smoking (P < 0.05). A difference was found also after six months (35% vs 28%), although no more statistically significant. There were no major differences between the groups in the amount of withdrawal symptoms or side-effects. © 1979.