CLEVELAND -- We know all about the dangers of smoking, yet an astounding 48 million Americans still light up.

There are also many products that promise to help smokers kick the habit. But as NewsChannel5's Angie Lau reported, experts are warning of the disturbing and dangerous trend of teens using nicotine replacement products while still smoking. 4,000 kids try their first cigarette every day in the United States, and now they're doing it at a younger age than ever before.

While they know they should quit, half will become smokers for life and face times when there's simply nowhere to light up.

So some teens are turning to nicotine replacement products like patches, gum and even lozenges, according to a new study by the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Lisa Klesges, of the University of Tennessee study, found that 75 percent of teen smokers admitted to using nicotine replacement products for reasons other than quitting.

"They reported using it in situations where they could not smoke," said Klesges.

This includes places where smoking is off-limits, such as classrooms, school athletic events, and at home.

Some teens even admitted to smoking and using the products simultaneously.

"It is possible if you're smoking, wearing the patch, chewing the nicotine replacement therapy gum, that you can get toxic levels of nicotine in your body," said Klesges.

These over-the-counter products are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, but are labeled not for use by anyone under 18.

Experts say this is because there is simply not enough information about their effects on young people.

Dr. Jonathan Klein, of the American Academy of Pediatrics, warns there can be unpleasant side effects if kids try to calm cigarette cravings with even more nicotine.

"Stomach discomfort, some diarrhea, some headaches -- all of those can happen with nicotine replacement therapies," said Klein.

While they haven't quit yet, the teen smokers NewsChannel5 spoke with said they don't rely on the patch or gum to get through the day, although they've heard of kids who do.

The researchers at the University of Tennessee found 50 percent of the kids under 18 interviewed reported an easy time purchasing nicotine-replacement products.