HIGHER nicotine levels are SAFE.
A new study shows higher nicotine levels are safe – “nicotine on its own, outside of tobacco products, has limited addictive potential, and that higher doses are safe and well tolerated“
As I typed the title of this blog, I could almost hear the thump of foreheads hitting desks of various alphabet soup groups, the heads of the FDA and other distinguished ‘experts’.
You know what? Good.
Thirty+ years of outright lies (or incompetence) need to stop.
“We’ve always done it this way”
If you’re in the business specifically of “helping smokers”, pay attention.
I’ve said this before. It is imperative: do not limit nicotine strength.
Now new research shows HIGHER levels of nicotine may help.
- Of the 50 participants, 90 per cent progressed to at least three patches, while 72 per cent progressed to four patches.
- 82 per cent of participants achieved four weeks validated abstinence from smoking, and experienced no significant increase in withdrawal symptoms, including urges to smoke.
- Cigarette consumption, smoke intake and enjoyment of smoking declined significantly during the pre-quit period, and the intervention was rated as helpful and easy to adhere to.
I didn’t see this coming.
- Evidence then emerged that nicotine on its own, outside of tobacco products, has limited addictive potential
- higher doses are safe and well tolerated
Are you intrigued? I’m intrigued. You ponder that, dear reader, I’ll move along.
Now two questions!
- Will quitlines and tobacco control groups be able to say those two things above without hurting their lies and egos for the past 30 years?
- Will drug companies rush to make levels of nicotine higher to get back in the game and bring their success rates up?
On #1, I expect abruptly changing their standard nicotine statements – or changing public opinion – would not be difficult to do, but will be difficult to swallow. Face it, if they succeed doing what they’re designed to do – helping smokers quit, they will go out of ‘business’. They don’t want that.
On #2, Will drug companies begin offering increased nicotine levels/strengths in patches? I’ll bet they will. It makes good business sense. Not. Again, if they succeed doing what they’re designed to do – helping smokers quit, they will go out of ‘business’. They don’t want that.
Above, I typed the words “do not limit nicotine strength”. You’ve been taught scolded like a child about nicotine “addiction”.
Dependence, like caffeine? Possibly. I’ll almost accept dependence. I’m still on the fence.
Nicotine is not addictive.
Addiction? No. You can see my short answers here, the (much) longer version here, or take my challenge here.
The study went on to say “Our results also suggests that one of the reasons e-cigarettes are so much more popular and potentially more effective than other nicotine replacement treatments is that smokers can adjust their nicotine intake according to their needs.”
Here’s the link:
Trying to quit smoking? New research suggests higher levels of nicotine may help
Nicotine: It is not you, it is them.
How many times have you tried to stop smoking? Did you think to ask about success rates with the product you were using? Slick marketing, heavy support from ‘non-profit’ organizations of ineffective products having 93% failure rates make big companies donating big money to those non-profits richer.
It is not you. It is them.
It also gives a license to the “morally superior” ‘authority’ to blame you. Keep trying. Try harder. You can do it. You’re not trying hard enough.
They’re not trying hard enough.
Nicotine Failure Rates
While patches (and presumably gums, inhalers, etc.) are at certain strengths, we know they have very low (7%) success rates, and it takes an average of THIRTY tries for smokers trying to quit.
“Morals are standards set by those who want their standards met by others.”
Interesting, because the stigma wrongly associated with nicotine is “addictive” and “bad”. Public health professionals have been instilling fear in soccer moms by demonizing nicotine for over 30 years- while beating smokers to death with hate and pointing fingers as if it were your fault.
“Convincing smokers that nicotine is addictive is a multi-billion dollar global lie.”
Things they don’t talk about in public. That’s the agenda. By actively concealing the truth (or doing as they’re told), they’ve lied about nicotine very effectively for a very long time.
Nicotine Experts Are Not Experts
According to this article from 2017, Philip Morris studied nicotine replacement therapies in the 90’s and found they were not hurting sales. No worries. This makes sense, and they were obviously right. Those are experts.
Tobacco control cult member Professor Glantz admits anti-smoking is 20 or 30 years behind the tobacco companies. In fact, self-proclaimed experts like Glantz have falsely recommended these products for years without a grasp on how they, or nicotine works.
“The assertion of nicotine “addiction” by “public health” is profitable and absurd.”
Glantz, while blaming lack of money “they have much more resources”, has had no problem (*wink*) taking money to promote (nicotine replacement therapy”) as proven (*wink*) to help smokers quit, (*wink*) adding that smokers need “regular counseling to use it properly” and displays ZERO expertise or integrity.
“Nicotine on its own, outside of tobacco products, has limited addictive potential, higher doses are safe and well tolerated”
Why do ineffective products continue to be promoted – giving smokers the false impression they work?
Because the hype and propaganda of nicotine ‘addiction’ without tobacco and MAOI’s, and ‘brain damage’ in teens, in humans, are unfounded.
Because there is no focus on helping smokers quit. Because more money to help regulate tobacco products and to study the effects of new ‘tobacco’ products keep rolling in.
Think of the progress “anti-tobacco” could have made if they only applied themselves… and tried harder.
Added 7/20/2019
Is it on purpose?
Financial Ties and Conflicts of Interest Between Pharmaceutical and Tobacco Companies
3 case studies. One shows how tobacco companies pressured pharmaceutical companies to scale back their smoking cessation educational materials that accompanied Nicorette.The second shows how they restricted to whom the pharmaceutical company could market its transdermal nicotine patch. In the third case, we show how subsidiary tobacco and pharmaceutical companies of a parent company collaborated in the production of a nicotine-release gum. Thus, because tobacco cessation product marketing has been altered as a result of these financial conflicts, disclosure would serve the interest of public health.
“financial ties between tobacco and pharmaceutical companies have resulted in the weakening of smoking cessation efforts and the sharing of technology to develop nicotine products that are profitable to both industries.”
Financial Ties and Conflicts of Interest Between Pharmaceutical and Tobacco Companies
Vapers and shops.
I’ve said this before. It is imperative:
Do NOT limit nicotine strength.
With all that above, higher nicotine levels are safe. They are imperative. Think of the popularity (and ease) of Juul. Love them or hate them, they have high nicotine strength. My Grandmother would have adapted to those with ease. No filling, no fuss. Gram wouldn’t have joined Facebook groups to try to figure out ohms, watts, coils, builds.
Out of disgust, Gram would have tossed a blinking or non-working frustrating ‘best thing ever’ mod she paid $150.00 for in the trash the first time it wouldn’t have worked and lit her Pall Mall non-filter without hesitation. She’d have gone for cig-a-likes or ego style kits because nicotine strength and throat hit is that important.
Had I not started with 18mg (I’m still on it), and started on 3, 6, or 9mg nicotine – I might not be writing this blog, or maybe eventually I’d have picked up a *shudder* Juul.
“I know why the patch & gum didn’t work for me. I was afraid of becoming addicted to nicotine.”
Now, look around your shop – or if you’re not a shop owner, look around the shop you frequent. What is being offered? What is being sold? What nicotine strengths do you carry? Are there ‘old-school’ starter kits or cig-a-likes?
Are there strengths up to at least 18 or 24mg? Choice.
Preaching to the choir. Why didn’t they ask US?
If you’re using a high powered device and very low nicotine, theories and titrations have been discussed here by our friend Alan Beard:
Evolving Nicotine Usage and Consequences
Added 3/02/19
Just what Alan, Norbert, Bernd and Paul said above (and we already collectively knew in 2015):
When Less is More: Vaping Low-Nicotine vs. High-Nicotine E-Liquid
Added 5/04/2020
Again, far behind and lagging along — if they only asked us questions…. what vapers knew for five+years, this was just released:
Visit New Zealand’s pod system specialist vape store, NZ’s best range of nicotine salt eliquid, vape pods, e-cigarettes. Express shipping to Australia. The best AU NZ pod mod vape shop, Podlife:
Nicotine Salt and Pod Vape Specialist
In The End
As a consumer, I’m excited and commend this forward-thinking progress for nicotine patches. It is intriguing and solidifies my ‘do not limit nicotine strength‘ in a whole new light – even for me.
As I am of the ‘whatever works’ (and choice) to reduce harms from smoking.
I also see this as the beginning of the fall of ivory towers of what is called “tobacco control“.
I’m not shutting up.
Have you met my OUR friends at vapers.org.uk?
I proudly joined David Georlitz on his latest podcast: David G Model Citizen.
You can find me here trying to be cordial on Facebook
You can find me here being a bit more evil on Twitter
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You can also find me on LinkedIn
Are you familiar with Tobacco Harm Reduction For Life?
Are you familiar with GONZO GIVES? VapeTithing? Do that!
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Keep up with the latest here with the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World
Medical, Research, Science Professionals:
Research:
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A Billion Lives
Your comments are NEVER filtered, always encouraged and welcome on this blog. There is definitely more to come.
Keep ON #Vaping On.
Kevin
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