Linda Nutt, 58, conquered her 40-year habit by using nicotine replacement inhalers.

The Nicorette Inhalators contain a cartridge impregnated with a tiny dose of nicotine.

The gadgets are designed to give smokers the sensation of having a puff while holding something cigarette-shaped in their fingers.

But three years on, mum Linda is now addicted to chewing the Inhalators’ plastic cases and gets through at least one a day.

Nicorette manufacturer Pfizer has sent her hundreds free in an attempt to help her. But now the firm has refused to give her any more, saying she must beat the addiction once and for all.

And Linda’s GP cannot prescribe any more Inhalators, which cost £6 for six, on the NHS.

Now retired Linda, of Sheldon, Birmingham, is scared she will start smoking again.

She said: “I don’t understand why Pfizer had a change of heart. It’s the plastic I’m addicted to, not the cartridge.”

Goosey's Gabbings...

Ok, so you're addicted to the plastic. Buy a couple bags of bic pens or markers, shove 'em in your mouth, and poof! You're cured!

Has this woman ever given any thought to possibly going through a 12-step program that doesn't involve something resembling a cigarette hanging from her jowls?

If she could afford 40 cigarettes a day, she can afford to get whatever she needs as far as "replica" cigarettes. Don't they still sell those candy cigarettes? Oh, wait, then she'd probably gain 100 lbs and sue the company...nevermind.