Study: Teens Using Nicotine Replacement Products in Addition to Smoking [11/12-3]

Excerpts from: Study: Teens Use Nicotine Replacement Products While Smoking

NBC 17 News [11/12/03]

An estimated 48 million Americans smoke. While there are many products that promise to help smokers kick the habit, experts are warning of a disturbing trend -- teens using nicotine replacement products while still lighting up.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says 4,000 children under 18 try their first cigarette every day in the United States. While many know they should quit, half will become smokers for life and face times when they are at a location that doesn't allow smoking.

So, some teens are turning to nicotine replacement products like patches, gum and even lozenges, according to a study by the University of Tennessee.

"We had several measures of misuse in this study," Dr. Lisa Klesges said.

Klesges found that 75 percent of teen smokers admitted to using nicotine replacement products for reasons other than quitting.

"They reported using it in situations where they could not smoke," Klesges said.

Some kids even admitted smoking and using the products simultaneously.

"It is possible if you're smoking, wearing the patch and chewing the nicotine replacement therapy gum that you can get toxic levels of nicotine in your body," Klesges said.

Dr. Jonathan Klein, with the American Academy of Pediatrics, warns the more nicotine a child ingests in any form, the more dangerous it becomes.

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