Shortage Of Nicorette Lozenges Prompts Hoarding

A shortage of Nicorette lozenges has led some ex-smokers to hoard them. The lozenges have been disappearing from shelves since the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKine, halted production of the lozenges last February for quality-control reasons.

The pharmaceutical company says it plans to have the lozenges back on shelves later this year, but in the meantime, people who rely on the lozenges to ease their cigarette cravings are jittery about the dwindling supply.

Dr. Taylor Hays of the Mayo Clinic's Nicotine Dependence Center joins Here & Now's Robin Young to explain why.