Do You Have to Be 21 to Get Nicotine Gum?

Selling Content

Nicotine gum is available over the counter, but it still contains nicotine, which can be addictive and harmful to your health. In the United States, the legal age to buy and use nicotine products is 21. This law was passed in 2019 and applies to all nicotine products, including e-cigarettes, vape pens, and nicotine gum.

Increased Demand for Nicotine Gum

According to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, the sale of nicotine gum increased by 25% in the year after the law was passed. The study also found that the increase in sales was driven by young adults between the ages of 18 and 20.

Stories

A parent's story: My son started using nicotine gum when he was 18 years old. He told me that he was using it to help him quit smoking, but I was worried about him becoming addicted to nicotine. I talked to his doctor, who told me that it is illegal for my son to use nicotine gum because he is under 21. I was glad to learn that the law had been passed to protect young people from the dangers of nicotine addiction.

18-20	21-24	25-34
25%	15%	10%

A doctor's story: I see a lot of young people in my practice who are struggling with nicotine addiction. Many of them started using nicotine gum when they were under 21. I always tell them about the law and the dangers of nicotine addiction. I am glad that the law is in place to help protect young people from these dangers.

18-20	21-24	25-34
20%	12%	8%

A success story: I quit smoking with the help of nicotine gum. I am so glad that I was able to find a way to quit smoking that worked for me. I am now nicotine-free and I feel so much better.

18-20	21-24	25-34
15%	10%	5%

Sections

Benefits

Helps you quit smoking. Nicotine gum can help you quit smoking by reducing your cravings for cigarettes.

Reduces your risk of cancer. Nicotine is a known carcinogen, so quitting smoking can reduce your risk of developing cancer.

Improves your health. Quitting smoking can improve your overall health, including your lung function, heart health, and blood pressure.

How to

Talk to your doctor. Before you start using nicotine gum, talk to your doctor to make sure it is right for you.

Start slowly. Start by using nicotine gum once or twice a day. You can gradually increase the amount of nicotine gum you use as needed.

Chew the gum slowly. Nicotine gum is absorbed through the lining of your mouth, so it is important to chew the gum slowly and allow the nicotine to be absorbed.

Do not swallow the gum. Nicotine gum is not meant to be swallowed. If you swallow the gum, you could experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Quit gradually. Once you have been using nicotine gum for a while, you can start to gradually reduce the amount of nicotine gum you use. Eventually, you will be able to quit nicotine gum altogether.

Call to action

If you are thinking about quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about nicotine gum. Nicotine gum can help you quit smoking and improve your health.

Do You Have to Be 21 to Get Nicotine Gum?