Conclusions
This study attempts to determine the characteristics of NRT users and to identify the barriers and facilitators of NRT use for harm reduction. This study reveals that the use of NRT is characterized by individuals who are motivated to quit and willing to engage in the process of quitting by employing medical and non-medical aids to assist their quit attempts. NRT users tended to be more concerned about the health effects of smoking, and this acted as a motivating factor in the use of NRT. We find a number of barriers to the general use of NRT, ranging from misconceptions regarding its safety and efficacy to the cost of NRT, which may also undermine the use of NRT for harm reduction. Health professionals need to be made aware of the need to educate users of these products, not only in terms of their proper application but also regarding the safety and efficacy within the context of harm reduction and eventual smoking cessation. In order to encourage smokers to use NRT for both cessation and particularly harm reduction purposes, future interventions should aim to reduce the cost of NRT especially for those who are unwilling or unable to quit smoking.