A 25-year-old Regina man locked himself in a restaurant's bathroom Tuesday and applied more than 20 nicotine patches to his body, police say.

Police were sent to the restaurant, in the 2200 block of Broad Street, around 4 p.m. responding to a report of a man who had been drinking and was said to be in distress.

"There was a concern for his safety," said Elizabeth Popowich, a spokeswoman for the Regina police. "EMS and police arrived and found that he had called a family member as well."

Popowich said the man had applied more than 20 nicotine patches to his body. The patches, which are available without prescription, deliver measured amounts of nicotine to help smokers break the habit.

It was not known what strength of patch was used, but Popowich noted the simultaneous application of many patches could be dangerous.

Police officers and an ambulance crew were able to coax the man out of the bathroom and take him to hospital.

"We've gone to lots of unusual calls," Popowich said, noting she had not encountered this scenario in the past. "You take each and every event seriously and respond appropriately and try to ensure that everyone gets home safely."

At last report, the man was fine and recovering in hospital.