are the nicotine patches better for you than cigarettes why they both have nicotine whats the difference?

Question

my boyfriend has a knee operation coming up. he was told he needs to cut back on his smoking or quit. he had a minor knee operation recently and it took 2 month's to heal instead of 3 to4 days.[because of smoking] now he's on the patch[still getting nicotine] so is this any better,will he recover faster because he's not actually smoking? whats the difference?

Answer 1

Generally, the nicotine is not the problem (except that it's addictive). The major problem with smoking is the carbon monoxide, tar, and other components of the smoke. The patch replaces the nicotine, making it easier (for some people) to quit smoking. But - nicotine does restrict blood flow, which probably slows healing. So, ideally he should quit, but the patch would be an improvement. (PS - I'm a smoker - haven't been able to quit yet...)

Answer 2

You're willing to spend $5 for a pack of cigarettes, and say you want to stop smoking, but you can't afford to drop $20 on a box of nicotine gum? That doesn't sound like a person who truly wants to quit. The government does use some of the money to prevent and stop smoking through education and awareness. Just because they're not doling out free products it doesn't mean they are not trying to fix the problem. Smoking is a personal choice, and ultimately, it is up the smoker to quit. I don't think it is the place of the government to give you patches, gum, etc. If you were starving and need food, by all means, someone should help feed you, but to stop smoking, you should be doing that on your own. There are many support programs available through the government and tobacco companies, you just need to take advantage of them.

Answer 3

I have never heard that smoking or nicotine was a factor in delayed healing.

The only difference between the patch and cigarettes is that cigarettes give the body other intruders to the body besides nicotine. There is tar and other "filler" ingredients inserted into the finished prodect by big companies.

If he does ever go back to cigarettes, assuming he doesn't decide to quit since he's all ready on the patch, I would recommend he switch to American Spirit (unless they have changed their practices after the recent cigarette lawsuits) or rolling his own with raw tobacco that can be bought in a tobacco store.

Answer 4

The difference is that the patches dont have the additives in them like cigarettes do and they dont give you carbon monoxide also. So yes he should heal faster but the addiction will take a while to get over it matters on how long he has smoked and his mental state, I repeat his mental state dictates the rate and chances he has to quit

Answer 5

Cigarettes are made with more things than just nicotine: ammonia, for one. Do some research about the patch and you'll see the benefits.

Answer 6

As an ex-smoker, I can tell you by not smoking, you're not getting the poisons in your system that are produced by a lit cigarette. I used nicotine gum to help me quit.

Answer 7

I don't think it helps with nicotine addiction but it does help keep tar and all those chemicals out your sytem so yea I think its gotta be safer I just started patchin today

Answer 8

they're basically the same, but smoking causes damage to your lungs and cigarettes themselves have many carcinogens (things that cause cancer). it's better to use the patch then smoke and it will help him recover faster because smoking also lowers your ability to fight off disease/illness.

Answer 9

No smoke-nicotine is not a good thing, but in and of itself it's not all that harmful.

Answer 10

it's better for him because cigarettes have tar and all those additives in them where as the patches just have the nicotine in them.....