Nicotine Gum vs. Vaping—Important Differences Explained

Smoking is a leading cause of premature mortality in the United States, as cigarette use accounts for more than 480,000 deaths annually, including 41,284 deaths caused by secondhand smoke exposure. 

Today, many cigarette alternatives are available to help you quit smoking, with vapes and nicotine gum among the most popular. 

In this in-depth guide, we compare the pros and cons of nicotine gum vs. vaping to help you find the best method to quit this dangerous habit. After that, we’ll recommend several other alternatives that might be safer and more convenient.

Nicotine Gum vs. Vaping—A Concise Comparison

The following sections explore the crucial differences between nicotine gum vs. cigarettes, including:

1. Nicotine delivery methods
2. Nicotine types
3. Main ingredients
4. Nicotine strengths
5. Available flavors
6. Total cost
7. Key benefits
8. Health implications

Consider each one carefully before choosing your preferred smoking alternative.

1. Nicotine Delivery Methods

Source: Alexander Grey

Nicotine gum, commonly used in nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), contains nicotine as its primary active ingredient. It delivers a controlled dose of nicotine and alleviates cravings without exposing you to the 7,000+ harmful chemicals and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke.

Nicotine gum delivers nicotine through the oral cavity. As you chew, it gradually releases nicotine, which is absorbed through the blood vessels in the inner lining of your mouth (the oral mucosa). This process provides long-lasting relief from cravings by delivering nicotine directly into your bloodstream.

To use nicotine gum correctly, follow these steps:

1. Place a piece of nicotine gum in your mouth
2. Chew until you feel a slight tingling sensation
3. Stop chewing and position the gum between your gums and cheek for 60 seconds or until the tingling fades
4. Repeat this process for around 30 minutes or until the gum stops releasing nicotine and flavor
5. When finished, remove the gum and dispose of it responsibly

In contrast, a vape is an electronic nicotine delivery device that heats and vaporizes e-juice with nicotine into a fine mist. When inhaled, the vaporized e-juice reaches the lungs, where it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the alveoli. 

2. Nicotine Types Used

Source: Ivan Florendo

Vaping devices come in various forms, allowing you to customize your experience. The most popular categories are disposable vapes, vape pods, pens, and mods.

The key factor in any vaping experience is the e-juice and the type of nicotine it uses—freebase or nicotine salts. You can also choose nicotine-free e-juices with CBD oils and herbal extracts, often misrepresented as healthy vape alternatives. 

For a detailed comparison of these two nicotine types, check out the table below:

In contrast, nicotine gum contains nicotine polacrilex—a compound in which nicotine is bound to a special resin, enhancing nicotine absorption by up to 90% and offering a quick hit.

3. Vaping vs. Nicotine Gum—Main Ingredients

The key active ingredient in nicotine gum is nicotine polacrilex, along with several other components:

• Chewing gum base—A mixture of polymers, resins, waxes, and fillers that gives the gum its elasticity and chewiness and serves as a carrier for nicotine and flavor
• Magnesium oxide light—A filler and stabilizer that regulates the gum’s texture and cohesiveness, making it more enjoyable to chew
• Sodium carbonate—Also known as washing soda, it creates an optimal pH environment in the mouth to improve nicotine absorption
• Xylitol—An artificial sweetener that provides sweetness without raising blood sugar or harming teeth
• Flavorings—Various flavorings that enhance the gum’s taste, making it more palatable

Source: CDC

In contrast, vape e-juice contains nicotine, which can be synthesized in a lab or extracted from tobacco leaves, and three other key ingredients:

1. Propylene glycol (PG)—A clear, odorless, flavorless alcohol that carries flavor and nicotine, responsible for providing a throat hit similar to cigarette smoke
2. Vegetable glycerin (VG)—A thicker, viscous liquid derived from vegetable oils with a slightly sweet taste. Primarily used for cloud production, VG doesn’t carry flavor as well as PG
3. Additional flavorings—Various natural and artificial flavors that create unique flavor profiles

4. Nicotine Strengths

Nicotine gum is typically available with 2 mg or 4 mg of nicotine per piece. Choosing the right strength depends on when you usually have your first cigarette after waking up and how much you are currently smoking. If you light your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking, choose a 4 mg nicotine gum. In 8–12 weeks, you can lower the dose and frequency until you quit using the gum completely. If you light your first cigarette more than 30 minutes after waking, choose the 2 mg option.

Vapes have a significantly higher range of nicotine strengths than cigarettes, from 3 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml. E-juices with up to 18 mg/ml use freebase nicotine, while those with higher levels are available as nicotine salts.

5. Available Flavors

Source: Nick Agus Arya

Although not as diverse as vape flavors, nicotine gum comes in several enjoyable options, including:

• Mint
• Peppermint
• Spearmint
• Wintergreen
• Berry
• Mango
• Citrus
• Cinnamon

Vape liquids come in a much broader variety of flavors, from traditional minty aromas to more unconventional options like bacon, popcorn, fruit loops, beer, whiskey, etc. You’ll find a taste you enjoy, whether you prefer sweet, spicy, or savory flavors.

6. Total Costs

Source: Fabian Blank

Nicotine gum is a more budget-friendly option compared to vaping. All you need to do is purchase a pack of nicotine gum, and you can start using them right away—you don’t need any additional equipment.

Vaping can have steep initial and ongoing equipment costs, depending on your preferred device type. After buying the device, you must also purchase e-liquid, replacement coils, and batteries, which adds up over time. Overall, vaping can be more expensive than smoking cigarettes or using nicotine gum.

7. Nicotine Gum vs. Vape—Key Benefits

Both nicotine gum and vapes have strong advantages as alternatives to smoking. Check out how they compare in the table below:

8. Nicotine Gum vs. Vaping—Health Implications

Both nicotine gums and vapes are safer alternatives to smoking but can still cause immediate and long-term side effects. See the most common ones in the table below:

Since vaping is a relatively new method of nicotine consumption, its long-term health effects are currently unknown as few studies have analyzed its impact on health after prolonged use.

Alternative Nicotine Replacement Therapies

Besides vapes and nicotine gums, smokers often turn to nicotine lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers when trying to quit. Explore their main characteristics in the sections below.

Nicotine Lozenges

Nicotine lozenges are another NRT-approved alternative to cigarettes and vapes that help ease nicotine cravings. They work similarly to nicotine gum but don’t require constant chewing. 

Each lozenge provides a long-lasting experience of up to 30 minutes, gradually dissolving in your mouth. Without the need for chewing, nicotine lozenges offer a more convenient method of nicotine consumption.

Like nicotine gum, lozenges contain 2 or 4 mg of nicotine per piece and come in mint, peppermint, wintergreen, and citrus flavors.

Nasal Sprays

Nasal spray is a prescription NRT method that delivers a fine mist of nicotine particles into the nostrils using a small spray bottle. Unlike vapes, nicotine sprays aren’t inhaled into the lungs. Instead, the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream through the nasal lining.

Nicotine sprays are typically prescribed to people with a high nicotine dependence. Your doctor or pharmacist will adjust the dose and provide detailed instructions on how to get the best results.

To use a nicotine spray, tilt your head back and insert the bottle tip into your nostril. Spray into each nostril without inhaling or swallowing the mist. Let the solution sit for two to three minutes to ensure the nicotine is absorbed into your bloodstream.

Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patches provide a discreet way to ease nicotine cravings without inhaling cigarette smoke or vapor. These FDA-approved NRT aids work transdermally, delivering nicotine through the skin, making them one of the most convenient ways to quit smoking.

Still, nicotine patches provide one of the slowest nicotine delivery methods, often taking hours until the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why nicotine patches are frequently combined with faster-acting products like nicotine gum or lozenges.

Nicotine patches come in two types based on their delivery duration:

1. Day patches—Provide nicotine for 16 hours
2. Day and night patches—Provide nicotine over 24 hours

Both options are available in strengths of 7 mg, 14 mg, and 21 mg to match individual nicotine tolerance levels.

Can Nicotine Pouches Help You Quit Smoking?

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Although not FDA-approved as an NRT method, nicotine pouches, or nicopods, are an excellent alternative to vaping and traditional tobacco products like chewing tobacco. 

These 100% tobacco-free pouches use only pharmaceutical nicotine and food-grade ingredients, providing a clean nicotine experience without most of the health risks associated with tobacco.

Nicotine pouches offer several additional benefits besides providing a low-risk way to enjoy nicotine, including:

• Wide range of strengths—Unlike NRT aids, nicotine pouches come in various nicotine strengths, from mild nicopods with 3 mg/g to strong pouches with up to 50 mg/g. If you prefer not to use nicotine, there are even nicotine-free options
• Extended experience—Nicopods offer one of the longest-lasting nicotine experiences, supplying a steady dose of nicotine for up to an hour
• Flavor variety—Nicotine pouches come in a multitude of flavors, from minty options that intensify the experience to fruity and sweet aromas that will turn your nicotine sessions into a treat
• Discreet and convenient—Since nicotine pouches are smokeless, vaporless, and come in compact formats, they let you enjoy nicotine wherever and whenever you want—even in places where smoking and vaping are prohibited

How To Use a Nicotine Pouch

Follow these steps to use a nicotine pouch correctly:

1. Place a single nicotine pouch between your gums and upper lip
2. Let the pouch sit for 5–45 minutes, depending on your preference and nicotine tolerance. Don’t suck, chew, or swallow the pouch
3. Once satisfied, remove the used pouch and discard it in the trash or under the dedicated catch lid on the can, away from children and pets

Unlike chewing tobacco and dip, nicopods don’t require spitting during consumption. Swallowing their drip in moderate amounts is completely safe.

SnusBoss—The Best Source of Premium Nicotine Pouches

Source: SnusBoss

Led by a team of experts with over a decade of industry experience, SnusBoss offers top-quality, EU-made nicopods that surpass domestic products by delivering richer flavor, more moisture, and a stronger buzz.

Following the FDA’s 2016 decision to classify nicotine pouches as tobacco products, U.S. manufacturers face complicated pre-market evaluations when developing and launching new products. These requirements have discouraged innovation, limiting options for U.S. consumers. EU nicopod makers kept perfecting their formulas and producing high-quality nicotine pouches of superior quality.

See the entire selection of fantastic nicotine pouches offered by SnusBoss in the table below:

To place an order from SnusBoss, follow these easy steps:

1. Go to the online store
2. Pick your desired brand, strength, and flavor
3. Fill out your shipping and payment details

Choose express delivery at checkout to receive your order in 2–3 business days. Plus, you’ll get free shipping on orders above $249.

Featured image source: Andra C Taylor Jr