Obviously he'd need to talk to his doctor about it.
But it seems to me that smoking and chewing tobacco are basically the same thing. It's all about breaking the nicotine habit.
This is not the first time I have tried to stop smoking. As Phyllis said, nicotine gum is just vile...I ate the lozenges like candy (didn't even slow me down)...the patch only seemed to work if I stuck it over my mouth...Zyban only somewhat worked (worked for a few days and then I was ready to knock off a 7-11 delivery truck to get a pack of smokes).
The Chantix is expensive: $140 a month. The prescription is used for 3 months. Sounds expensive until you realize that the cost of cigarettes (or chew) is the same, if not more.
Either way, tell you son not to give up... Keep trying.
BTW, your son and I are around the same age. I started smoking at 16. If I can quit - anyone can!!
Maybe getting him on a Chantix or Zyban type drug and some natural chew (mint leaves, no tobacco) until he can comfortably toss it all might be the trick.
One thing I have noticed, is once the nicotine is out of your system it becomes a matter of "re-training" yourself out of the habit of reaching for a cigarette or the chew....you've done it for so long that you don't what else to do.
Me, I have now cleaned, scrubbed, and disinfected every inch of my poor car's interior...bought all sorts of nice smelling potpourri (my sense of smell is coming back).... gardened until it got dark...cross stitched and quilted until my fingers are sore..and eaten 10 lbs of Chex mix and several bags of raw carrots.
Quitting is not easy, but it can be done.
So thanks for the wonderful words of encouragement from everyone - it means the world to me!
Luv ya all!

Tammy "oh no, I'm outta Chex mix" Lynch