Given the negative health impacts of smoking, it’s no wonder that more people are switching to alternative nicotine products. These are either smoke-free, tobacco-free, or both, allowing users a way to avoid smoking and eventually quit it altogether. There isn’t any shortage of products catering to this demand, either: the global market for alternative tobacco and smoking cessation will grow in value from $26 billion to $64 billion in the next decade. Here, major players, including healthcare companies like Pfizer and industry leaders like Philip Morris International and Nicorette, now offer everything from prime nicotine pouches and patches to inhalers and e-cigarettes that you can use to stay away from cigarettes.
If you’re interested in using them, you’ll probably want to have the smoothest experiences possible. That means avoiding any side effects so you can enjoy the cessation benefits they have to offer. Here are some tips on how to safely use a few popular nicotine alternatives.
Nicotine pouches
Prime Nicotine pouches come in light to strong doses and flavors like mint and coffee, appealing to smokers with a variety of habits and preferences. Though they’re relatively easy to use—just stick one between your gums and lip for up to an hour—you can still run into some unwanted effects if you’re not careful. Take the side effects of using ZYN pouches, a popular brand owned by Philip Morris. One is an upset stomach. If you’re using variants like ZYN’s 3mg Peppermint pouches, your stomach may simply be sensitive to the flavor. In this case, it’s best to just switch to another pouch flavor. Another best practice for safe pouch use is to place them in a different spot each time. By not aggravating one particular area, you won’t experience another common side effect: mouth soreness.
Nicotine patches
This form of nicotine replacement therapy is another tried-and-true product for smoking cessation. Business Insider notes that patches go on the skin, releasing small doses of nicotine throughout the day to curb withdrawal symptoms. However, there are two main side effects you can experience while using them: nicotine overdose and vivid dreams. If you experience symptoms of nicotine overdose like dizziness, nausea, and cold sweats, look at the dose you started with. Light smokers should use patches with 14mg of nicotine or less, while heavier smokers can do 15mg and above. Simply switch out the strength of your patch to address the issue. And if you start getting exceptionally vivid dreams, it may be because you wear your patches to bed. Though they can last 24 hours, it’s best to remove them before sleeping to avoid any disturbances.
Nicotine inhalers
Inhalers closely mimic cigarettes, which is why they may appeal to you. The ones sold by Nicotrol are also FDA-approved, guaranteeing effectiveness. However, Nicotrol inhalers may also cause side effects if you don’t use them correctly. Like pouches, they may cause mouth irritation and stomach upset. You can expect these to subside as your body gets used to them. However, a more serious side effect you need to concern yourself with is, like patches, nicotine overdose. You’ll be advised to only take short, shallow puffs on an inhaler, which is where it differs from cigarettes. If you inhale too deeply, you may absorb too much nicotine. That said, be sure to heed package instructions—as well as your doctor’s advice—to use this product safely.
E-cigarettes
E-cigarettes are an especially effective cigarette alternative. Our post How To Choose the Best Salt Nic Devices notes that they’re designed to deliver nicotine quickly and discreetly—and they even allow you to control the amount of nicotine you inhale. However, you may experience “vape tongue” as a side effect. With this condition, you stop tasting the flavor of your e-cigarette over time, as well as any foods or drinks you consume. Though you can always go flavorless, vape tongue can signal that the nicotine salts this product uses are dehydrating you. You can address this by drinking more water as you puff. You can also brush your teeth—and maybe even get a scraper to clean your tongue—to eliminate any nicotine buildup in your oral cavity.
