How To Stop Smoking

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Nicotine patches and nicotine gums were available only with a doctor’s prescription when they were first introduced. After several years of proven safety when taken as directed the products were offered for sale over the counter. The quit smoking products were an instant hit with smokers.

Smokers gratefully accepted the nicotine replacement products in the quest to quit smoking. The stop smoking products worked by providing a smoker with a source of nicotine that would reduce cravings and was designed to facilitate a gradual withdrawal allowing the user to quit smoking over a ten week period of time.

The ten week program recommended to user of the nicotine patch begins with six weeks at maximum dosage (21 mg). Following that the user reduces his usage to a 14 mg patch for two weeks and then to the lowest level (7 mg) for the final two weeks of the stop smoking program. Because the patch can cause sleep disturbances in some people not everyone can wear that patch the full 24 hrs as recommended.

A two pack a day smokers spends at least $70 per week on his habit. The total cost of using nicotine patches for 10 weeks would be a little more than $200 which is far cheaper than the current cost of tobacco cigarettes. A drawback for patches is that not all smokers can tolerate the patch. Diabetics are warned not to use nicotine replacement products which eliminates 8% of the U.S. population from using this product

Nicotine gum is another popular stop smoking aid with consumers. Similar to regular chewing gum each piece is wrapped separately in foil. The strength of 2 or 4 mg is comparable to the nicotine delivered by one or two standard cigarettes.

The user chews the nicotine gum until it is soft and a tingle is felt in the mouth. The tingle indicates nicotine is being released and absorbed by the tissues of the mouth. From there it is delivered to the blood stream. One the tingle begins, the gum is tucked between the smoker’s cheek and gums and held there for a time. As more nicotine is needed the smoker chews again for a few moments until the tingle starts once more and then tucks the gum as before. One piece of nicotine gum will last for about half an hour.

There can be unpleasant side effects for user of nicotine gum. Used excessively, they may cause the throat muscles to feel constricted and cause hiccups. The muscle discomfort is thought to be a result of high amounts of nicotine swallowed with saliva. Nicotine naturally restricts blood vessels and overuse of these gums over time may lead to gum disease.

Use of nicotine replacement products in the first trimester of pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of birth defects. No nicotine products should be used by pregnant women or by nursing mothers. Risk groups are identified on the product packaging.

The antidepressant prescriptive drugs that are used in stop smoking programs have raised concerns about serious side effects. Although the quit rate is somewhat higher with the stop smoking pills they should be taken under the supervision of a physician. The pills do not replace the nicotine for a smoker but they provide a calming feeling and reduce the physical cravings of nicotine withdrawal.

You can’t compare patches, gums and pills meant help you stop smoking with electronic cigarettes. The e-cigarette is meant to provide safer alternative to smoking rather than to help you quit. Smokers who buy e-cigarette (s) are those who want to continue smoking but in a healthier and environmentally friendly manner.

Mary Kay Rivers is an expert on all facets of electronic cigarettes. Her articles about the realism of electronic cigarettes or how to buy electronic cigarettes are very popular.

Originally posted 2010-05-26 14:53:09.

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