Nicotine Replacement Some approaches to treating nicotine addiction rely on nicotine replacement. In this treatment, people who use tobacco continue to put nicotine into their bodies, which lessens their withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it easier to quit. In this way, people who use tobacco gradually treat their addiction by using smaller and smaller amounts. Eventually, people find they are no longer dependent on nicotine. Commonly used nicotine replacement strategies are nicotine gum, the nicotine patch, and nicotine lozenges. Companies sometimes market vaping devices like e-cigarettes as a nicotine-replacement tool for people who want to quit smoking. Unlike nicotine patches and lozenges, vaping devices have not been approved by the US government as a successful and safe form of smoking cessation. Medications Sometimes medications prescribed by a doctor help people quit using tobacco. These medications usually simulate dopamine, the chemical the brain releases in response to nicotine. People who take these medications cope better with withdrawal from nicotine. nicotine replacement treatment for nicotine addiction that continues to put some nicotine into the body lessens withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it easier to quit Practice Your Skills Set Goals Take a few minutes to think about why so many companies now use social media to advertise tobacco products. Then discuss with a partner why these ads lead to increased rates of tobacco use. Do you think these ads should be legal? Why or why not? Do you think most teens recognize that these social media posts are advertisements designed to make money for tobacco companies? What strategies could help teens see through these techniques? With your partner, set five SMART goals to protect yourself from the impact of these advertisements. Share these SMART goals with the class, act on them, and evaluate how helpful they are. Health in the Media Tobacco in the Media: Then and Now A long time ago, tobacco companies advertised their products on TV and the radio, as well as in magazines and newspapers. After scientific data clearly demonstrated the very serious health consequences of tobacco use, however, bans forced tobacco companies to stop this type of advertising. Today, tobacco companies still cannot advertise using these methods. Instead, they try to avoid these laws by using social media. On social media, tobacco companies pay ambassadors and influencers to post content and link followers to tobacco products. Sometimes, posts by influencers do not even mention tobacco, but advertise upcoming parties or events where people promote or give away tobacco products. Teens may see these posts and not even recognize they are attempts at getting people to try tobacco products. TV shows and movies also expose many teens to smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco. In fact, 26 percent of movies rated G, PG, or PG-13 show tobacco use. It may seem harmless to simply see smoking or vaping in a movie. Research shows, however, that children and teens who see tobacco use in movies are more likely to start smoking. Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 11 Vaping and Tobacco 387