Are E-cigs More Effective than Nicotine Patches and Gum?

What is the best way to quit smoking?
The best way to quit smoking differs. Everyone has their own unique journey and some nicotine alternatives can suit certain people better than others. In this blog we will take a look at NRTs such as nicotine patches and gum. Plus, we will go through the benefits of each so you can work out yourself what will be best for you.

Research to Prove Vaping is More Effective
A study carried out national smoking cessation services too data around 900 patients in the UK. the aim being to find out how different methods of quitting smoking perform. It showed Vaping is twice as effective as NRTs such as patches or gum.

However this study also showed that most people who used e-cigarettes to quit smoking continued to vape. Whereas, roughly 90% of those who used nicotine replacement therapy no longer need it.

Do Nicotine Patches Work?
Patches deliver a small amount of nicotine throughout the day and are great as a way of preventing cravings from according. The dosage can also be reduce over time. This allows users to gradually lower their nicotine intake until the no longer require it.

However, as they only provide small doses of nicotine if a craving does suddenly occur it probably wont provide a fast solution. Also many smokers find that it doesn’t provide other stimulations that cigarettes do such as inhaling the smoke for a throat hit. This is where a combination of patches and vaping may work best. This method will provide a steady amount of nicotine through the patches. But, the e-cig can be used when you need the sensation of inhaling nicotine.

Does Nicotine Gum Work?
Nicotine gum is a good way to get a fast acting hit of nicotine and works best if a craving suddenly appears. It is important to know to not chew this like normal gum. This is because as you chew your saliva will soaked up a high amount of nicotine. Naturally you would swallow this saliva but doing so would cause stomach-ache and an even bigger craving for a cigarette.

The correct method to use it is similar to chewing tobacco. After breaking down the gum rest it between your cheeks and gum. This will allow the nicotine to pass into your bloodstream through the lining of your mouth. After a minute or so it will provide a nicotine hit. Once the sensation has passed chew again to release more nicotine and repeat the process. One piece of gum should last between 20-30 minutes.

Although it is good at reacting to short term cravings it doesn’t prevent them. To do so would require chewing for long periods of time during the day which will become unpleasant.

Support Quitting Smoking
There is no one size fits all treatment to quit smoking. Each person will have different NRTs that work best for them. Even combining a mix of NRT products may prove to be the right route. The NHS refers to this as combination therapy and has been know to increase the chances of successfully quitting.

If you are using nicotine patches or gum the quit smoking but are still struggling, why not try vaping.