NRT is less effective in which group?

• A. Women
• B. Men
• C. Elderly
• D. Teenagers

Answer: (A)

NRT works by delivering nicotine to ease withdrawal and cravings as a person quits, but its effectiveness isn’t identical across all groups. In women, quit rates with NRT alone are generally lower than in men. This difference is thought to arise from both pharmacological and psychosocial factors. Hormonal influences can speed up nicotine metabolism, so the same NRT dose may yield lower nicotine levels in women. Additionally, withdrawal and cravings in women can be more influenced by mood, stress, and weight concerns, which a standard NRT plan may not fully address. Because of these factors, clinicians often optimize cessation for women by using higher-dose or combination NRT and enhancing behavioral support, or by adding a non-nicotine medication if appropriate. The other groups don’t consistently show the same reduced effectiveness with NRT.