MUMBAI: Nicotine chewing gums, meant to wean smokers from tobacco, could increase the risk of cancer, too, said a new research paper published by Tata Memorial Hospital doctors.
As tobacco is responsible for 30 to 40% of cancers among Indians, the government had over a decade ago allowed nicotine replacement therapy to be sold over the counter. Nicotine of up to 2 milligram is sold in the form of tablets, capsules and chewing gums to help tobacco addicts get over the habit, but now the Parel-based hospital's doctors say this may not be a good move after all.
Their research paper, published in the latest issue of the Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology, said nicotine should only be administered under medical supervision and for a short period of time. "Nicotine replacement therapy is supposed to help smokers cope with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. It is being aggressively promoted and sold over the counter in India," said Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, one of the authors of the study. He said that most nicotine replacement products are being manufactured and marketed by the tobacco industry itself
The article states that nicotine is not only highly addictive, it is highly detrimental to health. "Nicotine poses several health hazards of varying severity. Its usage is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal disorders. Nicotine directly decreases immune response and also negatively impacts reproductive health," said Dr Chaturvedi. Incidentally, as the paper itself points out, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has not included nicotine as a carcinogen. But the Tata team reviewed over 90 studies in animals and humans done across the world to highlight the health problems nicotine can produce
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Docs-study-warns-against-effects-of-nicotine-replacem....
Tata Memorial doctors said e-cigarettes, too, are a form of nicotine replacement therapy. "But e-cigarettes contain 9 mg of nicotine, making it all the more hazardous."
