For several years there have been products available to help you stop smoking. One of the first on the market was the nicotine patch. The patches were initially available only with a doctor’s prescription but after several years with no evidence of harm, these stop smoking aids were approved to be sold over the counter.

The public gratefully accepted the nicotine patch as a product that could help them break their smoking habit.

By providing a steady source of nicotine, the patches removed the worst of the withdrawal symptoms to help tobacco users stop smoking. The program included with patches recommends a gradual withdrawal from smoking over a ten week period of time.

For the first six weeks, smokers are instructed to use the maximum strength nicotine patch. This patch is replaced once every 24 hours though some users find it best to remove the patch before retiring for the night. Following the use of the high dose patch, the next step is to use a lower nicotine strength patch for two weeks. The final two weeks of the 10 week program utilize the lowest nicotine dosage offered.

The cost of nicotine patches is less than that of tobacco products as the total cost of the 10 week program would be a bit over $200. A two pack a day tobacco smoker will usually spend at least $70 per week on his bad habit. However, there have been some smokers who cannot tolerate nicotine patches. Almost 8% of the U.S. population is diabetic and cannot use the patch at all.

Nicotine gums are another option for those who want to stop smoking. This is a type of chewing gum that delivers nicotine to the bloodstream through absorption by the tissues in the mouth. The pieces of gum are foil wrapped individually and contain 2 or 4 mg of nicotine. This is comparable to the nicotine delivered with one or two tobacco cigarettes.

Users of nicotine gum are instructed to chew the gum only until it becomes soft and produces a tingling sensation. Then the user is to tuck the gum between the cheek and gums until the tingling stops. The steps of chewing to create a tingle and storing the gum in the mouth is repeated for about 30 minutes or until the nicotine in the gum is depleted.

Nicotine gum can have unpleasant side effects for those trying to stop smoking. If used to excess they have been reported to cause hiccups and a perception of constricted throat muscles caused by swallowing high amounts of nicotine in saliva. Nicotine constricts blood vessels which may lead to gum disease with long term use of the products.

Nicotine gums or patches cannot be used by pregnant woman or new mothers who are breast feeding. Studies have linked use of nicotine replacement products in the first trimester of pregnancy with an increased risk of birth defects.

Most recently, prescription drugs have become more popular as a stop smoking aid and so far the medications seem to result in a higher rate of success. The medications are based on antidepressant treatment and meant to calm the nicotine cravings experienced when you stop smoking. These stop smoking pills are popular with the public but have raised concerns about potentially serious side effects.

Electronic cigarettes cannot truly be compared to nicotine patches, gums and pills used by people who want to quit smoking. People usually do not buy e-cigarette as an aid to stop smoking. The purpose of electronic cigarettes is to provide a safer and less expensive nicotine delivery system as an alternative to dangerous tobacco smoke. Those who buy electronic cigarette are choosing to continue smoking but in a healthier and more environmentally friendly way.

If you are looking to buy e-cigarette of high quality, I would strongly recommend the ones from Green Smoke. You can also read a great guide about what to consider BEFORE you buy electronic cigarettes.

Mary Kay Rivers