<p>I have researched this online but can’t find my answer so I’m hoping you guys on here who know everything can enlighten me.</p>
<p>My husband has a number of health issues as he ages. High blood pressure, Raynaud’s syndrome, gout, among others. Sometimes when we research these issues they link the use of nicotine to them. He has smoked on and off for years, but quit completely 2 1/2 years ago. But he still chews nicotine gum. What we need to know is: when something is caused by nicotine, is it the nicotine itself? Or the cigarette smoking?</p>
<p>If you guys know, or can link to a source for my answer, I’d greatly appreciate it.</p>
<p>And yes, I would much rather him chew nicotine gum than smoke, but I don’t want him doing that either if it causes just as many problems except for lung cancer and emphysema.</p>
<p>First off, I would really encourage you to discuss these issues with his doctor. That being said, though, here is at least a partial answer to your question…</p>
<p>Some of his health problems are linked directly to smoking and nicotine substitutes, as they relate to the vasocontrictive properties in nicotine (high blood pressure, Raynaud’s). Nicotine substitutes generally only contain nicotine and it is often delivered in a smaller, more consistent amount (think nicotine patches) than smoking a cigarette would give you (higher dose of nicotine with each cigarette). Cigarettes and cigarette smoke contain many more chemicals (>2000) than nicotine substitutes alone. Nicotine substitutes do not hurt the lungs like cigarettes do, so you have reduced likelihood of lung cancer and emphysema; however, it takes years for the risk of cancer, for example, to drop to that of a non-smoker.</p>
<p>Some of your husband’s health problems (i.e., gout) can be linked to diet. Some health problems (i.e., hypertension) can have genetic components to them.</p>
<p>Bottom line: nicotine substitutes are better than smoking cigarettes; using neither of them is best. And, by the way, nicotine substitutes are generally for short-term use and then you quit them altogether. He’s being chewing the gum for 2 1/2 years? Time to discuss other options with his health care provider.</p>
<p>Thank you for your information. We have discussed it with all his doctors. Not a one of them knew whether the nicotine in the gum produced the same effects as the nicotine in cigarettes. Obviously, the gum is better than smoking. Yes, he has been chewing the nicotine gum for 2 1/2 years with no signs of giving it up. I don’t tink until he sees it in writing that it produces the same bad effects as cigarettes that he will stop. So I’m looking for that information. Now, if I see anywhere in writing that it does not, and he can safely chew it forever, then I will quit nagging and let him chew away. None of his doctors have told him he must quit chewing the gum. </p>
<p>The link you provided gives me the exact same information I’ve gotten everywhere else. It does not tell me that the nicotine in gum contributes to any of the conditions associated with the nicotine in cigarettes.</p>