TWO students who came up with a novel idea for a nicotine replacement therapy product have beaten hundreds of other entries to win a prestigious award.

In recognition of their Nic-Rou-Tine packaging designs - unisex mint-flavoured lip balms, shower gels and deodorants containing nicotine - graphic designers Kim Franckeiss and Sarah Matthews have been awarded 2,000 pounds and have been made fellows of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA).

The RSA Design Directions competition is the United Kingdom's leading student competition for socially responsible design, focusing on the role that artwork can play in response to key contemporary challenges such as the nation's health.

More than 800 students entered this year's competition and previous winners include Jonathan Ive, designer of the iPod, and fashion designer Betty Jackson.

The third-year students from Portsmouth University's School of Art, Design & Media had to think of a way for developing packets for over-the-counter products to help smokers quit that would be convenient, intuitive and easy to use.

They were encouraged to use the opportunity to explore new platforms and technologies and not be constrained in their thinking by concerns for R&D validity.

Sarah Matthews said: "Other therapeutic nicotine products looked pharmaceutical and serious - we wanted to create something funky that people could fit into their daily routine. We came up with ‘Nic-Rou-Tine' because the products were for everyday use and the capital letters on the packaging also stand for nicotine replacement therapy.

"I think the lip balm really won the judges over. They liked the idea that it could act as a cigarette replacement because it is tube-shaped and you have to use the action of taking your hand to your mouth to use it - as you would if you took a drag from a cigarette," she added.

The students say they will use their prize money to buy equipment or to support them while they do work experience with a graphic design company in London.

Kim Franckeiss said: "Doing unpaid work experience can leave you really broke especially when you have to pay for your train fare to and from the city. I can now use the money to pay for my commute from Portsmouth and my living expenses while gaining valuable experience I would not have had otherwise."

Senior Art, Design & Media lecturer Simon Clarke said: "Sarah and Kim's design for a nicotine replacement therapy product is really innovative. They have come up with a creative and intelligent idea that I think could quite easily appeal to smokers of both sexes who are trying to give up."

RSA Design Directions is a programme of student awards. Each year, a series of industry and trust-sponsored briefs ask design students and recent graduates to propose solutions to some of the more intractable social and service issues in contemporary life.

The RSA established its awards scheme for students in 1924 and today the unique scheme identifies, supports and rewards the most promising and creative students.