According to experts in the medical field use of nicotine products along with tobacco cigarettes can cause serious overdose
A new study published in journal of health psychology last week showed that Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is not as safe as one would imagine.
The therapy is used in tobacco cessation programme as an effective adjunct in management of withdrawal symptoms.
The study, which involved the recent expansion of NRT to pregnant women and children, said that nicotine impairs, disrupts, duplicates and/or interacts with essential physiological functions and is involved in tobacco-related carcinogenesis.
At present, there are many nicotine preparations (nicotine gums, patches, e-cigarettes and inhalational agents) that are freely available in most parts of the world.
Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, professor and surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital said, "It is likely that many addicts may use it to counter their withdrawal symptoms when they cannot access cigarettes such as while in flight, public places, meetings, etc. Simultaneous use of synthetic nicotine and tobacco products by the individual can result in serious nicotine overdoses."
He also raised concerns over the aggressive marketing of NRT preparations and its rising unsupervised usage poses a serious threat to society. "Nicotine should be used only under supervision of cessation experts. There is an urgent need to prohibit over-the-counter sale of NRT preparations (including e-cigarettes) and curb the advertisement of these products in India. E-cigarettes contain a high amount of nicotine and they are becoming very popular. Therefore, e-cigarettes should be banned all over India just like the states of Maharashtra and Punjab have done. All NRT products must carry appropriate warning to share harmful effects with innocent users," he added.
Dr Lancelot Pinto, who heads the tobacco cessation programme at PD Hinduja hospital, said that nicotine as a chemical undoubtedly has known adverse effects, and should not be consumed or prescribed as a stimulant. However, he said when used as a replacement for cigarettes, it merely replaces the nicotine already being consumed, with the advantage of protecting the smoker from other numerous cancer-causing chemicals present in a cigarette. "It should be strictly used along with cessation of smoking, as dual consumption might be harmful," said Dr Pinto.
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