AboutMichael Dean Expertise Can answer
General information on tobacco addiction, and resources for quitting.
Information on current cancer research and the health effects of tobacco.
The risk of smoking for lung cancer and other cancers, as well as SIDS, heart disease, and vision loss.
The best place to start is 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Cannot answer
Specific medical questions
Experience Cancer Researcher for over 20 years
Author of the book "Empty Cribs-The impact of smoking on child health" www.artsciencepub.com.
Author of over 200 scientific articles on cancer, genetics and human disease.
Multiple interviews in print, TV and radio media.
Organizations American Association for Cancer Research
American Association of Human Genetics
Publications Scientific journals (Science, Nature, NE Journal Medicine, etc.)
Scientific American, Discovery Medicine, Nature Reviews in Cancer
Education/Credentials PhD. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine
Awards and Honors Young Investigator award-American Association of Cancer Research
Expert: Michael Dean Date: 5/8/2008 Subject: nicotine gum
Question Dear Dr. Dean,
My husband chews 5 pieces of 2mg nicotine gum a day. He has been doing this for many years. Are there long term side effects of doing this? He is insistent that he needs to, the alternative to him would be going back to cigarettes.
Answer Dear Stephanie,
That is great that he quit. Interestingly nicotine is really pretty harmless, so there is no reason for him to quit. A lot of people never come off the gum, or take a long while. So if there is any risk of him going back to smoking, I would stick to the gum.
