All medical experts agree that smoking is bad for you. Ideally, smokers would be able to make a mental decision to quit and that would be that. Unfortunately, nicotine is addictive and withdrawal symptoms set in, often waylaying the best-intentioned resolve. Using nicotine replacement products is safer than smoking and can help keep the cravings at bay. At worst, you might transfer your addiction to nicotine from cigarettes to the gum, but nicotine gum has no cancer-causing properties, according to the website Stop Smoking. It does not produce carbon monoxide, tars or any of hundreds of other substances that are found in smoke. However, the website MentalHelp warns that people with existing heart conditions and pregnant women should check with their doctor before using it.
Ease and Availability
Nicotine gum has been available without prescription since 1995, according to the American Council on Science and Health, unlike medications such as Chantix and Zyban. MentalHelp reports that packages of gum come with complete instructions.
Cost
Nicotine gum costs approximately the same as cigarettes -- about $40 to $50 a week, according to the American Council on Science and Health. Nicotine gum is sold in packages of varying sizes, so if you are short of cash, you don't need to buy a whole month's supply in order to continue trying to quit smoking.
The Weaning Process
When you place a piece of nicotine gum in your mouth, chew it until you feel a tingling sensation. This means that you've released the nicotine. Next, you should tuck the gum against your cheek. It will release nicotine into your system through the lining of your mouth. But it will take the nicotine a few minutes longer to get to your brain this way than if you inhaled on a cigarette. This provides the advantage of slowly weaning you off your need for immediate nicotine gratification, according to the American Council on Science and Health. You can also use the gum while cutting down on smoking if you're not quite ready to quit entirely, according to Stop Smoking. Research shows that there is no serious health risk if you should have a weak moment and light up while you are on the gum program.
Weight Gain
MentalHelp indicates that using a gum form of nicotine replacement therapy can ward off some of the weight gain that people who quit smoking sometimes experience. It satisfies oral urges so you might be less inclined to reach for a snack.Stop Smoking also indicates that the 4 mg dosage of gum particularly appears to delay weight gain as long as you are using it.
Success Rate
The American Council on Science and Health says that nicotine gum has a successful abstinence rate of 30 to 80 percent. The American Heart Association has deemed nicotine gum to be safe and effective, especially when used in conjunction with other therapies such as behavior modification.
