Smoking cigarettes is a bad habit. Everyone knows by know that tobacco causes cancer. It's not like in the old days where cigarette commercials featured doctors exalting the benefits of cigarette smoke. It's not even legal to advertise cigarettes on television anymore.

But, if you're already a smoker, knowing something is bad for you isn't enough. You have to stop smoking cigarettes. While going cold turkey works for some people, it is very difficult. Many people find that a substitute works better. There are three popular substitutes for regular cigarettes.

Chewing Gum

This is a method of getting nicotine without getting the carcinogenic elements, namely tar. This gum is sold over the counter, so you don't need a prescription. The taste is not very pleasant.

This gum is not supposed to be chewed whenever you want. It's not like regular gum. You are supposed to chew it every few hours. The box will tell you how many hours you need to wait before chewing another piece.

One benefit to using the chewing gum as opposed to the patch is that it occupies your mouth. People who try and quit cigarettes often find they are at a loss with what to do with their mouth. They are used to having a cigarette in their mouth, so the gum satisfies this oral fixation.

Patches

A nicotine patch is a passive method of delivering nicotine. Many people choose this method because it ensures you have a constant deliver of nicotine in your blood system. Nicotine is the addictive element in tobacco. So, by having it in your bloodstream, you are less likely to go back to smoking.

E- Cigarettes

These are the latest alternative to smoking cigarettes. They are the most comprehensive replacement for old style cigarettes. They let you have the nicotine without the harmful tar.

The way these vapor cigarettes work is by delivering the nicotine in a mist, or vapor. This vapor can be breathed in and exhaled. Unlike nicotine gum and patches, vapor cigarettes are not solely for people looking to quit smoking. Many people want to continue smoking; they simply choose to switch from traditional cigarettes to vapor ones.

One of the interesting things about e-cigarettes is that they come in many varieties. Regular cigarettes are either plain or menthol. E-cigarettes are offered in lots of different flavors. You can visit a vape store and see which style you like.