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Tobacco Truths
31st May, 2008
Tobacco is a tall,
leafy annual plant, originally grown in South and Central
America, but now cultivated throughout the world, including
southern Ontario. There are many species of tobacco; Nicotiana
tabacum (or common tobacco) is used to produce cigarettes.
Nicotine, a powerful central nervous system stimulant found
naturally in the tobacco leaf, is classified as a drug. Nicotine
is one of the main ingredients in tobacco. In higher doses,
nicotine is extremely poisonous. It is commonly used as an
insecticide. Tobacco leaves can be burned and inhaled (in the
form of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smoke, etc.) or absorbed
through the mouth (in the form of spit tobacco, chew, or snuff).
The membranes in the nose, mouth and lungs act as nicotine
delivery systems - transmitting nicotine into the blood and to
the brain.
Smokers usually feel dizzy and sick when they first inhale the
nicotine in tobacco, but gradually build up tolerance to its
effects. Other symptoms new smokers experience includes
coughing, a dry, irritated throat as well as nausea, weakness,
abdominal cramps, headache, coughing or gagging. These symptoms
subside as the user develops a tolerance to nicotine. Nicotine
is highly addictive. The addictive effect of nicotine is the
main reason why tobacco is widely used. Many smokers continue to
smoke in order to avoid the pain of withdrawal symptoms. Smokers
also adjust their behaviour (inhaling more deeply, for example)
to keep a certain level of nicotine in the body.
Smokers who usually smoke at least 15 cigarettes per day and/or
smoke their first cigarette of the day within 30 minutes of
waking are likely to experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
They will likely find quitting uncomfortable. Stopping can
produce unpleasant withdrawal symptoms including depression,
insomnia, irritability, difficulty concentrating, restlessness,
anxiety, decreased heart rate, increased appetite, weight gain,
and craving for nicotine.
Symptoms peak from 24 to 48 hours after stopping and can last
from three days up to four weeks, although the craving for a
cigarette can last for months. Most smokers make an average of
three or four quit attempts before becoming long-term
non-smokers. Relapse is the rule rather than the exception and
must be viewed as part of the process of quitting. |
