subject: Are Quit Smoking Products The Same Thing As E-cigs? [print this page] Some of the best selling items for smokers in recent years have been stop smoking products such as nicotine gums and patches. A doctor's prescription was originally required to use the smoking cessation product but eventually over-the-counter sales were approved as there were no serious side effects when the products were used as directed.
These products work by providing a source of nicotine that is meant to slake the cravings of the smoker. Gradually over a period of ten or more weeks the level of nicotine is reduced until the smoker no longer needs the stop smoking products at all.
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.
Because the price of tobacco has risen drastically, stop smoking aids are cheaper than the habit itself. A moderate smoker will spend at least $70 a week on his habit but for just over $200 he can purchase supplies for the 10 weeks week stop smoking program. Not all smokers can use nicotine replacements products as they are not recommended for diabetics which account for 8% of the U.S. population.
Another option for those who wish to stop smoking are nicotine gums. Nicotine is delivered to the body through the tissues of the mouth by a type of chewing gum. The individually foil wrapped pieces of gum contain 2 or 4 mg of nicotine which is comparable to the amount in one or two standard smokes.
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 side effects associate with nicotine gum. Reports of uncontrollable hiccups and a feeling that the throat muscles were constricted may be caused by swallowing saliva containing high doses of nicotine. Nicotine will constrict blood vessels and use of the stop smoking gum over a long period of time may lead to gum disease.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers cannot use nicotine patches. There is evidence that nicotine replacement products used in the first trimester of pregnancy may be associated in an increase in birth defects.
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.
Those who choose the e-cigarette alternative and smokers who do not want to quit smoking but want to smoke in a better way. They want a healthier way to smoke that is environmentally sound and budget friendly. The best e-cigarette cannot be compared to smoking cessation products because the goals are not the same.
