Smoking/Nicotine

Smoking/Nicotine use has become one of the main problems in society and is one of the leading causes of cancer and respiratory illnesses. Smoking not only affects the person who smokes cigarettes, but second-hand smoke also has harmful effects on those around them. Most people do not realize that nicotine is a highly addictive drug that increases the risk of developing lung cancer, emphysema and other breathing related problems.

Nicotine contains tar and the smoke that one inhales contains carbon monoxide. Both of these are deadly for the body and when smoking continues for many years, the lining of the throat, lungs and stomach become damaged. When you smoke, you get an immediate effect because the nicotine stimulates the central nervous system to release glucose. When the effect wears off, you feel as if you need another cigarette.

It doesn’t matter whether you smoke a pipe, cigars or cigarettes or whether you chew tobacco – you are still bringing nicotine into your body. The nicotine stays in the system for about 24 hours, so even when you are not smoking, you are still exposed to the drug.

Because of its addictive nature, when you try to quit smoking, you will experience withdrawal symptoms. These include irritability, anger, hostility and even impairment of psychomotor and cognitive functions. Women who smoke tend to go through menopause earlier than normal and smoking during pregnancy has harmful effects on the unborn baby, such as low birth weight and conduct disorders.

Most governments are passing laws prohibiting smoking in public places. There are also a wide variety of products on the market to help people kick the habit, such as Nicotine patches. These patches help put some nicotine into the body while you stop smoking, thus helping to relieve the withdrawal symptoms. You cannot smoke while you are wearing the patch because you can get an overdose of the drug. You can also use nicotine gum or pills to help you gradually kick the habit. Most people quit cold turkey and even years after the craving to have a cigarette still comes back.