All of these may or may not be the best answer for you. Some people would have you not use an NRT and try to scare you out of it - Beware, this is unsound advice if an NRT is the only way you can quit smoking.
It's the smoke itself that kills and causes disease, not nicotine.
The truth is nicotine does not kill, cause heart or lung disease. Nicotine by itself only has the same health risks associated with it as caffeine. Caffeine and nicotine are both mild central nervous system stimulants and vascular constrictors or vasoconstriction -they can cause narrowing of blood vessels which can contribute to higher blood pressure) If you don't have high blood pressure you have little to fear from normal nicotine intake. You already smoke, and most likely drink coffee, so you will know if Nicotine Replacement Therapies can hurt you or not.
What you need to do is find a method that works for you and satisfies your cravings long enough for your body to detox and for the psychological aspect of smoking to get out of your system. Anyway you can do this, is The Right Way to Quit For You.
The main thing is to stop inhaling The Smoke. You may have to try a bunch of different methods before you find the one that's right for you. Keep trying them and don't give up. I smoked for 22 years and nothing worked for me. My salvation came in the form of an Electronic Cigarette. This worked for me because it helped me get the nicotine I wanted without all the harmful effects of cigarette smoke. I have been smoke free for over a year with no desire to light up. My doctor is delighted and says my body and lungs are healing just like that of someone who quit cold turkey. Electronic cigarettes may not be right for you, but you get my point - find what works for you.. what you can live with, and stick to it as long as it keeps you from inhaling smoke. Everyone is different. Everyone needs to find what works best for them. Best of luck to you !