Frequently Asked Questions About Nicotine
Nicotine is the key addictive ingredient in tobacco cigarettes. Since it is one of the hardest addictions to kick, many people have frequently asked questions about nicotine and how it affects the body. In the past, nicotine addiction has been difficult to treat, but new treatment medications such as the nicotine patch, nicotine gum and other medications that can be prescribed by a doctor have proven to be successful with this challenging addiction. Nicotine addiction is not limited to smoking, but also can extend to use of snuff or chewing tobacco.
Who is affected by Nicotine Addiction?
According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), tobacco and nicotine addiction affect approximately 29 percent or 71 million of the population in the United States. This number includes approximately 3.1 million people ages 12 to 17. Nicotine affects more than just people who smoke or use tobacco products. It can also affect individuals who are subject to secon hand smoke. Asthma in children that is the result of second hand smoke is on the rise and the numbers of deaths from nicotine-related illnesses is very sobering. Between 1964 and 2004, NIDA estimates that approximately 12 million deaths are attributable to tobacco products and nicotine addiction.
What Does Nicotine do to the Body?
Nicotine is found in every tobacco-related product, including cigarettes, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco and cigars. According to NIDA, as nicotine is inhaled or enters the blood stream through saliva or is absorbed through the cheek, it stimulates the adrenal glands. This causes adrenaline to be released into the bloodstream, raising blood pressure, heart rate and breathing (respiration). Insulin is released into the bloodstream raising glucose levels. Dopamine is also released into the body. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that regulates compulsive behaviors, including drug seeking activities.
How Does Nicotine Contribute to Tobacco-Related Cancer?
Tobacco-related cancers account for approximately one-third of all cancers in the United States according to National Institutes of Drug Abuse statistics. This information is even more sobering when it becomes clear that approximately 90 percent of lung cancer diagnoses are found in people who have a history of smoking tobacco and nicotine products. Other types of cancers that are related to tobacco-related products and nicotine include oral cancer, throat cancer and gum cancer.
What Other Illness are Related to Nicotine?
There are numerous illnesses that are related to chronic use of nicotine products. These include asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), emphysema and chronic bronchitis. According to NIDA, pregnant women who smoke or use nicotine products run the risk of having still born children or babies with low birth weight. Additionally, miscarriages are also a risk factor for pregnant women. Other problems that can appear in children born to women who smoke or use nicotine products include learning disabilities, and behavioral problems such as attention deficit disorder/attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
How are Nicotine Products and Toxic Chemicals Related to Cancer?
Nicotine and toxic chemicals are related because you need one to have the other to create cancer. Nicotine is a highly addictive agent that is contained in tobacco products. According to NIDA, nicotine use releases dopamine into the blood stream. Dopamine causes addictive and compulsive behaviors, making it more and more necessary to smoke or use tobacco products that have nicotine in them. This means that the chemicals that are added to the cigarettes and other products are introduced to the body at higher and higher levels. Chemicals that are added to cigarettes, chewing tobacco and other products include carbon monoxide, tar, formaldehyde, cyanide and ammonia. These chemicals are known to contribute substantially to contribute to incidences of cancer. Thus, the more the products are used, the more cancerous chemicals are introduced to the body and the higher the likelihood of getting cancer.
Related posts
About Nicotine Chewing GumNicotine chewing gum is a product with a brief history. It has only existed since the early 1990's. Yet, in that time, there has been a huge amount of debate and controve...
Nicotine, which is a chemical component of the tobacco found in cigarettes and other chewable or smokeable products, is one of the most addictive drugs in the world. Addiction to nicotine affects...
Dangers of NicotineMany people smoke tobacco in an active or a passive way. Both ways are dangerous to the body. There are anti-smoking campaigns and warnings everywhere telling us about those dan...
Tobacco abuse can have serious health effects over time.Tobacco is a commonly used addictive drug that is debilitating to the user's health. Tobacco is most commonly used in the form of cigarettes...
NicotineNicotine is an alkaloid substance found in cigarettes. It is responsible for the mood-altering effects of smoking. Nicotine, derived from tobacco plants, is responsible for aiding in addic...
