# Non-smokers starting nicotine gum. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 17, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942 "2013-04-17T15:56:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/1 "2013-04-17T15:56:19Z")
I have been a non-smoker for 8 years, but occasionally I feel like I’d like a cigarette. Of course, I’ll never smoke again, but I’ve always wondered if I could just chew some nicorette. I’m not likely to try that either, but I don’t know what the effects would be either. What are the negative side effects of nicotine gum to non-smokers? Has anybody ever studied the long term prognosis of this sort of thing? ---
**Author:** ![Shamozzle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/2 "2013-04-18T03:34:02Z")
Don’t do it. You’ll just get hooked on the gum and the stuff costs a fortune. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/3 "2013-04-18T05:03:18Z")
I’ve tried the gum twice and a lozenge once. Each time I got very nausious, dizzy, and almost vomited. No more. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/4 "2013-04-18T05:15:28Z")
I started taking the nicotine lozenges while I was in the Army because I didn’t like smoking but I wanted the stimulant action of Nicotine to stay up at work. Well I’ve been taking the shit for like two years now and have noticed no bad effects or anything, I have gone long periods without taking it to no ill effect. Its really just something to do I guess because I don’t really drink anymore. Seems pretty harmless to me but it is expensive I might finally give it up just because of the cost. A 24 pack of 4mg from Walmart costs around $10.00. It really is a huge waste of money. ---
**Author:** ![sisu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@sisu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sisu)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/5 "2013-04-18T05:22:10Z")
> [@Shamozzle](#): > > Don’t do it. You’ll just get hooked on the gum and the stuff costs a fortune. this, can’t give the bloody things up after 5 yeaars ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/6 "2013-04-18T07:11:27Z")
I think your occasional cravings for a cigarette are unlikely to be anything to do with the nicotine - and therefore, unlikely to be satisfied by nicotine gum. I’m an ex-smoker myself (20+ years now) - and I still occasionally get a twinge of craving when I find myself in one of the situations where smoking was pleasurable (that is, where it was aesthetically enjoyable, as opposed to just servicing a habit) - but it’s not really the nicotine I’m fondly remembering - it’s the flavour, the physical sensation of the smoke, etc. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/7 "2013-04-18T17:39:34Z")
I quit smoking in 2001, but last Monday I bought an e-cig. I take an occasional puff or two at times throughout my workday to improve my focus and concentration. It seems to work at keeping me on track and I have had zero cravings when I’m at home or any other time away from work. ---
**Author:** ![AlohaBear32](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47774/32.png) [@AlohaBear32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlohaBear32)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-smokers-starting-nicotine-gum/655942/8 "2013-04-18T18:41:51Z")
Like August West, I recommend an E-cig. Highly convenient, satisfies nicotine cravings and doesn’t have the tar and other chemicals as regular cigs do (or at least to a much lesser extant)