There is no need to fully understand all the hazards that cigarette smoking brings just for us to realize that indeed we need to quit the habit. According to experts, cigarette smoke has over 4,000 chemicals in it, 40 of which are known carcinogens. As if that is not enough to give a good scare, at least 200 of those chemicals are flat out poisonous.



Long term use of nicotine may lead to cancer. It has long been established that the use of this hazardous product affects how our bodies function by putting stress on the heart and increasing blood pressure. Nicotine harms the linings of the arteries and leads to the build-up of plaque. When this happens, the risk of heart attack and stroke increases. In addition, nicotine suppresses insulin output, creating a hypoglycemic condition.

Those who are trying to quit cigarette smoking often choose nicotine chewing gums as a substitute for oral activity. It provides a source of nicotine to help reduce the withdrawal symptoms experienced when smoking is discontinued. Yet, there are some people who have successfully quit their habit only to be addicted to the nicotine gum itself.

Nicotine chewing gum is technically called a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product. A perfect quit aid for some people, it has already helped many thousands of people quit smoking successfully. It is a fact that quitting smoking is not easy. That is why having a wide variety of quit aid options means saving more lives.

NRTs are not intended for long-term use. Aside from being expensive to maintain, the gum can also potentially stick to dental work which can lead to damage. Pregnant and nursing women, including those taking certain medications, may also be advised not to use nicotine products due to its side effects such as headaches, hiccups, sore jaw, and hives.

Choosing between two ?evils?, chewing a couple of pieces of nicotine gum everyday is a much better choice over smoking a stick of cigarette. Treat it like a prescription drug. Its proper use can ease the discomforts of recovery from nicotine addiction.

Everything in life has some level of risk including NRTs. It is important that you wean yourself off of the product in the time period suggested. To remain dependent on nicotine, regardless of the form it comes in, may lead to an increased risk of a smoking relapse. Just like the case with habit-forming drugs, tolerance will increase over time and so will the intake.

Smoking cessation experts believe that the problem is not that people use it too much. On the contrary, the greater problem is that they use it only for a week and they are back to the old habit of smoking cigarettes. Although nicotine therapy doubles a smoker's chance of successfully kicking the habit, use of the products still remains relatively low. The unusual taste of nicotine gums and lozenge does not generate a strong appeal to most people. And the thought that nicotine is what makes cigarettes harmful also keep them from trying the gum.

It is the goal of most therapists to get more people to try NRT as an aid to help them quit the habit. They are optimistic that having managed to stop smoking is a good sign that the few people who may get hooked on nicotine products can eliminate their dependence on the NRT as well.

While the human body is much better off without the poisonous substance, the amount of nicotine you get from the gum is definitely small in comparison to smoking.