] In 1989, Mr. Palagonia, who entertains at children's
] parties dressed as characters like Barney and Elmo,
] decided to quit. He turned to Nicorette gum to curb the
] cravings for a cigarette. The smoke savored between sips
] of his morning coffee was replaced with a peppery square.
] On breaks at work, driving his car, after dinner - all
] the times he had luxuriated in smoke - he would pop
] another piece.
]
] "I got to the point that I was having problems with my
] teeth, and my jaw was killing me," Mr. Palagonia said. He
] eventually returned to smoking for a short time "to get
] off the gum." What ended up working for him was
] counseling, not a hit of nicotine.