Consumer market analyst Mintel says that sales of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) have been booming since March 2001 when the government switched the majority of smoking cessation aids from pharmacy-only to GSL (general sales list) status. This means they can be displayed on open shelves in supermarkets, c-stores, CTNs and forecourt stores. Here are the inevitable statistics to back up the market research: one third of all adults are smokers and one in four of them plans to quit for the sake of their health. Sales of NRT are set to reach £94.7m this year ­ having grown some 160% since 1997. Patches and gum account for more than 85% of the market. And here's the best statistic. Bootleggers do not have any market share whatsoever. {{GROCER CLUB }}

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