To help adolescents quit smoking successfully, a combination of behavioral and pharmacological treatments is recommended. Pharmacological treatment should be tailored to the adolescent’s level of nicotine dependence and readiness to quit smoking. Although nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is covered by the state in Turkey, the treatment is often not available due to lack of supplies. The aim of this study was to evaluate access to treatment of adolescent smokers aged 12-18, who applied to the Smoking Cessation Clinic of Hacettepe University Ihsan Dogramacı Children’s Hospital Adolescent Health and Diseases Department and were prescribed NRT. Patients’ addiction levels were assessed using the Modified Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire (mFTQ). A total of 34 adolescents were included in the study, 67.6% were male, and the mean age was 16.4 ± 0.9 years. The mean mFTQ score was 4.4 ± 2.2. Eleven participants were moderately addicted (32.4%), and 5 of them were severely addicted (17.6%). Although NRT was recommended for all moderately and severely addicted patients, only 50% was able to access it due to lack of availability. This study shows the low levels of accessibility to NRT. It is crucial to establish programs that strongly prioritize the management of tobacco use and create a healthcare system that is accessible for youth. Additionally, governments and healthcare systems should be in efforts to increase the availability and affordability of NRT products.

Keywords: tobacco, smoking cessation, nicotine replacement therapy, adolescent