From: [voltai 29] at [chelsea.ios.com] (Voltaire)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc,alt.politics.libertarian,alt.politics.democrats.d,alt.politics.usa.congress,alt.politics.usa.republican,alt.politics.usa.newt-gingrich,alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
Subject: #Nicotine Gum To Be Sold Over The Counter
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 1996 14:29:59 GMT

Nicotine Gum To Be Sold Over The Counter

Bloomberg Business News, February 10, 1996

PITTSBURG - SmithKline Beecham said its nicotine gum for helping
smokers kick the habit has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for over-the-counter sales.

The company's Nicorette chewing gum has been available by prescription
in the U.S. for about 12 years. The gum will be sold in the same
strengths without a prescription starting in late spring.

Britain's second largest drug maker said Nicorette is the only smoking
cessation system approved for sale without prescription in the United
States.

"Making Nicorette available without prescription will increase access
for people who are ready to quit smoking," Jack Zigler, executive vice
president of SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare, said in a
statement.

The gum relieves cigarette withdrawal symptoms by providing a
temporary source of nicotine in 2 mg to 4 mg doses. The nicotine
reaches the bloodstream more gradually and at lower doses than with
cigarettes.