In lab experiments, researchers discovered that nicotine raises blood sugar levels, and the more nicotine that was present in the persons system, the higher the blood sugar levels were. Higher blood sugar levels are linked to an increased risk of complications from diabetes, such as eye and kidney disease.
This study should encourage diabetics to quit smoking completely, and to realize that it is the nicotine that is raising their blood sugar levels. For that reason, it is also important to limit the use of nicotine replacement products, such as nicotine patches, gum, tablets, and even electronic cigarettes with nicotine-filled filters. “If you're using them for a short period of time to quit smoking, that's OK. But, if you still have this addiction to nicotine and are using this product long-term, it will do harm. Don't use electronic cigarettes or nicotine gum for a long time. You need to stop nicotine intake,” said Xiao-Chuan Liu, an associate professor in the department of chemistry at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona.
Using nicotine replacement products for a month or two is fine. "If nicotine replacement is used for a short period of time with smoking cessation as the goal, there's no risk. But it's not OK if someone plans to replace smoking with nicotine replacement products indefinitely.
Source: http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/nicotineraisesbloodsugarlevelsinlab
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