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
Question I love my dad. I'm worried about my dad. He is proud to say that he hasn't smoked a cigarette for three years now, but he can't seem to break away from that Nicorette Gum.
For a short interim during those past three years, he was able to chew Freedent. That was success. However, after a few months, he went back to 1 Nicorette a day...then 2 a day, and here we are about a year and a half from that point.
From what I see, he doesn't really overdo it. I'll notice he's stayed with only one (or two pieces tops) per day. But now, his voice is changing a little bit. It's lower and a little bit foggy. This was so evident today. I asked if he has a cold, and he told me he thinks it's the "nicotine gum".
We can live with the low, sultry-sounding voice, but could the nicotine be doing something unhealthy? We hear of tobacco chewers acquiring mouth cancer, tongue cancer, throat cancer, etc. Seriously, and please know that I mean no offense to Glaxo SmithKline or any of its affiliates. (They've made money from my dad, anyhow.) But in truth, you're not supposed to chew the gum for more than like six months after quitting smoking. My dad has gone a little bit over...we're talking years now (though maybe not in great quantity).
It is, however, a part of his regimen to whatever small degree or otherwise. Does the extended time period suggest a potential problem or am I worrying too much?
Thanks for your advice.
Answer Dear Kel,
It is great that you are worried about your dad. There are really no adverse affects of nicotine itself in small doses. All the problems with smoking, including oral cancer are caused by the chemicals in the tobacco not the nicotine.
So hug your dad, thank him for quitting, and don't worry about the gum.
He could of course talk to his doctor, but for sure chewing gum is better than smoking.
