nicotine nasal spray nicotine nasal spray a nicotine nasal spray is a nasal spray that contains a small dose of nicotine, which enters the blood by being absorbed through the lining of the nose. this helps stop nicotine cravings and relieves symptoms that occur when a person is trying to quit smoking. a prescription is needed for nicotine nasal spray in many countries. in the united kingdom, it can be purchased in a pharmacy as an over-the-counter drug.