How to Stop Smoking & Chewing Gum

Kicking the habit sometimes results in replacement habits, like gum chewing.

Nicotine gum is a popular method of nicotine replacement therapy due both to its convenience for the user and its availability. However, since nicotine gum is a delivery system for highly addictive nicotine, there is the possibility of forming an addiction to the gum itself. According to the American Cancer Society, there can be up to a 20 percent chance of an occurrence of addiction to the gum. Since the gum delivers less nicotine than a cigarette, the likelihood of addiction is still lower than that with smoking, so using it to stop smoking is still a viable method of kicking the habit.

Things You'll Need

• Nicotine gum
• Regular gum

Instructions

1. Determine the dosage of the gum you will require to ease your cravings for cigarettes. The gum is available in 2 mg and 4 mg doses. Smoking within half an hour of waking in the morning, greater than 25 cigarettes in a day or having difficulty refraining from lighting up in restricted areas are indications of needing a higher dosage. Otherwise, adopt a less-is-more strategy.

2. Chew the gum correctly to avoid the possibility of developing a dependence on it. Chew slowly and only until you notice a peppery taste. Store the gum in your cheek until the taste disappears, then repeat. Chew each piece for up to half an hour. Use the gum as necessary to quiet cravings without going over the recommended number of pieces for a 24-hour period.

3. Lessen the number of pieces of gum you chew once your cravings have become weaker and less frequent. If you begin to feel a dependency on the gum, start to gradually wean yourself off it or replace it with other forms of nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, lozenges or nasal sprays.

4. Replace some of the nicotine gum you are chewing in the course of a day with regular gum. In this way, you reduce your need for the nicotine in the gum.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have difficulty kicking the gum habit, talk to your physician for help.

• Be sure you are chewing the gum correctly according to package instructions to reduce your likelihood of addiction.

• Consult your physician if you develop certain side effects such as rapid or irregular heartbeat.

• Avoid using the gum, if possible, for longer than six months.

• Nicotine gum can cause problems for denture wearers due to sticking to dentures; consult your dentist before starting the gum if you wear dentures.

References

• American Cancer Society: Guide to Quitting Smoking
• Healthy Eating Diet: Can you Kick the Habit With Stop smoking Gum?
• Oprah: Am I Addicted to Sugar-Free Gum?

Resources

• Adelphi University: Warning! Chewing Gum Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
• MSN Expert Advice: Kicking the Smoking Habit