Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is another nicotine replacement choice. It's similar in
appearance and texture to a regular gum, and usually fruit, mint, or
fresh mint flavored. The difference, of course, is the nicotine. Any time
you experience a craving, pop in a "stick" of gum, and nicotine is released
into your body, killing the craving.

This is generally one of the less expensive quit smoking products.
Nicotine gums are available without a prescription. However, it's always
a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting on a nicotine
product. While a gum containing nicotine is generally harmless, it may
not be suitable for certain medical conditions – diabetes, dental disease,

heart problems, high blood pressure, etc. It's also not recommended for
women who are pregnant or trying to get pregnant as well as for breastfeeding
mothers.

For best results, nicotine gum should be chewed slowly, waiting until a
peppery feeling occurs and then stopping. The gum is then tucked into
the cheek. When the tingle is no longer noticeable, repeat the process for
at least thirty minutes to be certain all the nicotine has been released
into the body.

During the first four weeks of the program, the average smoker uses
between ten and twelve pieces daily. Daily use should not exceed two
dozen pieces. As with the nicotine inhalers, a nicotine gum should not
be used for an extended period of time, certainly not beyond six months.
Nor should it be used if you're smoking, since the potential for nicotine
poisoning arises.

There are two sizes of nicotine gum. One has two milligrams of nicotine
while the other has four milligrams. The larger dose is potentially
addictive, so unless your health care provider suggests using it, which
would be for very heavy smokers only, it's best to use the lighter dose.
There are side effects, though they're uncommon. You may feel dizzy or
weak while chewing nicotine gum. Some people experience headaches or
stomach aches. You may experience damage to your teeth or dental
work.

The Quit Smoking Action Plan

Yes, there is such a thing as a quit smoking action plan. In fact, this one
has worked for countless people just like you. Here's how it works ...

Step One - Set A Quit Date

The first, and possibly most important, part of your quit smoking action
plan is to set a quit date. This is important because it helps you to get
your mind set on quitting before it actually happens. Your set quit date
doesn't have to be tomorrow, or even next week; in fact, it's actually best
if you set your quit date about three weeks in advance. This will give you
the opportunity to follow step two in your quit smoking action plan.

Step Two - Start From Within

The second step in your quit smoking action plan is, now that you've got
your quit date in mind, you need to get your body ready to handle the
effects of quitting. Since smoking affects your overall health, it only
stands to reason that you should treat your entire body when it comes
time to quit. This is best accomplished by beginning a regimen of multivitamins
and herbal supplements to help strengthen your immune
system; and by changing your diet to reflect a more organic lifestyle. Be
sure to include plenty of fruits and veggies in your quit smoking action
plan, as they will help to flush the toxins from your system.

Step Three - Get Help

The third step in your quit smoking action plan needs to be to join a
support group for people trying to quit smoking about a week before your
scheduled quit date. This will allow you to bond with some new friends
prior to your actual quit date; and will give you a better foundation for
the day when you actually put down those cigarettes for good.

Step Four - "D" Day, No More Smoking!

When the scheduled quit date for your quit smoking action plan comes
around, make sure that all tobacco products and paraphernalia have
been removed from your home the night before. This will help to
eliminate temptation, and help you to stick to your quit smoking action

plan. Start every day with a tall glass of orange or grapefruit juice, and
be sure to include plenty of water in your daily routine so as to flush the
toxins and leftover nicotine from your system even faster. Drinking
orange juice as a part of your quit smoking action plan has also been
shown to reduce nicotine cravings by more than 50%!