The Most Effective Alternatives To Smoking Cigarettes

Smoking cigarettes is one notorious vice that brings a lot of health problems to the smoker and the people around him.

The negative effects of cigarettes have troubled a lot of people around the world, and many do interventions that will help a person get over this habit. These harmful effects on health and wellness are not unknown to smokers themselves, but their craving for nicotine most of the time outweighs their desire to quit smoking.

With the help of products that can become an alternative to cigarette smoking, quitting can be made easier and possible for people, reducing the chances of relapsing. It helps to know the most effective options to help a smoker quit cigarettes.

Nicotine Patch

A Nicotine patch is a small latex patch that contains nicotine. You apply the patch on the skin, usually in areas that are hairless like the chest or back, arm or hip, or as directed in the product instructions. Once you remove the patch from the package, the protective strip is removed and immediately applied on the skin, wherein it provides a controlled dose of nicotine throughout the whole day.

A patch is most appropriate for heavy smokers who find it difficult to completely stop smoking because of withdrawal symptoms. Reducing the strength of the patch gradually over time helps a person wean off the nicotine. One of its advantages is that the product is used more accurately than other forms of alternatives and that people can use it correctly more than others.

Nicotine Lozenges

Most smokers say that salivating is a common withdrawal symptom that is difficult to ignore. A nicotine lozenge is a good alternative for smokers who want to keep their tongue and mouth busy as they crave for nicotine.

A nicotine lozenge is a candy that you melt on your tongue that slowly delivers nicotine to the body. It is best to take it at least 15 minutes after you eat or drink. The dosage depends on the prescription from the doctor, and it is important not to take it more than the prescribed amount.

As the weeks advance in the treatment, a lesser amount of lozenge spread out during the day should be the goal. Getting down to as few lozenges you can per day helps you quit more effectively. 

Nicotine Gum

Similar to the Nicotine Lozenge is a Nicotine Gum but requires strict adherence to the instructions given by a doctor or the package. Chewing the gum slowly until you release the nicotine is recommended, then placing it in between your cheek for better absorption. You go back to chewing after a few minutes, then you repeat the process for 30 minutes in total.

It is important not to chew too fast and to chew only one gum at a time, and not so soon after another. Best avoid drinking or eating before you chew the gum. After a few months of using this, you should be able to wean off the need to take nicotine. This helps people successfully get over smoking effectively.

Chewing Tobacco

The detrimental effects of smoking cigarettes mostly are in the smoke, which releases compounds and toxins other than the nicotine. It also risks second-hand smoking if the smoke exhaled by the user is inhaled by another person who is not smoking. The effects can be felt in the lungs and can have long-term effects, even years after a user stops smoking.

Some smokers cannot let go of the tobacco taste and smell that is why they look for other products that will work for them. Another product that can replace cigarettes is chewing tobacco, which is smokeless tobacco you can just chew in your mouth.

Losing the habit of smoking means looking for an alternative, and a better substitute is Snus, which is loose tobacco that eliminates the habit of smoking. It can also come in pouches and different flavors to choose from.

Inhalers

The action of putting the cigarette in the mouth is a habit that is difficult to go away with smokers. The action itself is already so addictive that a lot of smokers struggle to remove it when they decide to quit smoking.

The need to consistently hold something for the mouth to puff can be substituted by a nicotine inhaler that does not deliver the same damage as smoking a cigarette. It is a form of nicotine replacement therapy in a plastic tube that contains a nicotine cartridge, and a mouthpiece where you puff.

The cartridge contains a minimal and controlled amount of nicotine. The inhaler allows the substance to be absorbed mainly in the mouth and throat without reaching the respiratory tract. Each cartridge lasts up to 10 minutes, which is the same amount of time when smoking a cigarette. 

Nasal Sprays

Nicotine nasal sprays are very similar in shape and size to the typical sprays for allergies and other nasal problems. It comes as a liquid that you spray into the nose though you should not inhale the spray into the sinus cavities. The liquid should sit in the nostril for absorption. The effect is instant because it can easily go into the bloodstream.

Usually, each dose is one spray in each nostril. It is best to clear the nasal passages before inhaling the product. Use one or two doses per hour, or use as instructed in the box or by a doctor. Improvement can be seen in as early as a couple of months as the body adjusts. The dosage will be lower in the succeeding months until the craving for nicotine stops completely.

Since there is a tendency of habit-forming, using a different product after a while can help remove the habit. 

To quit smoking successfully, it is better to find alternatives that will support your desire to cut off this habit effectively. These products will provide the benefit of nicotine while also helping a person live without it slowly. This strategy can help manage the withdrawal symptoms of a smoker, and decrease the chances of possible relapses in the future.