Nicotine patches work by infusing nicotine through the skin instead of smoking. One of the most popular smoking cessation aids is the nicotine patch. The patch attaches to your skin like an adhesive bandage and delivers a small, constant amount of nicotine through your skin into your bloodstream. By gradually reducing the amount of nicotine delivered to your body, the patch helps you reduce your dependence on the drug. It comes in three doses nicotine patch 21 mg nicotine patch 14 mg nicotine patch 7 mg