Is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) approved for individuals under 18 years of age?

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is not generally approved for individuals under 18 years of age due to limited evidence supporting its safety and effectiveness in this age group. Studies have not shown promising results for adolescents, which raises concerns about the appropriateness of using NRT as a treatment strategy for young smokers.

The evidence for the effectiveness of NRT in adults is well-established, but the adolescent population has unique physiological and psychological considerations, making them different from adults in terms of addiction behavior and treatment response. As a result, the guidelines emphasize caution in recommending NRT for adolescents.

In contrast, while there have been discussions about the potential use of NRT in clinical settings and its effectiveness, the lack of substantial supporting evidence and the complexity of adolescent smoking behavior limit broader recommendations for this age group. Thus, adoption of NRT for those under 18 remains problematic and is typically avoided in practice.