Lauren's Corner

Ten Facts About Nicotine Addiction and Cigarettes.

1. What Is The Link Between Cigarettes And Nicotine?

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of substances. One of the most important is nicotine, a natural part of the tobacco leaf. Nicotine is an addictive drug. Smokers who crave it find it hard to go without having a cigarette. People who are under stress of feel nervous or bored often are at more risk of becoming addicted to nicotine.

2. Is Nicotine The Only Reason People Smoke Cigarettes?

No. Smokers get hooked on the taste, smell and feels of cigarettes. Also, they link smoking with many activities. Some people like to smoke when they are talking on the telephone with friends or when they are having a cup of coffee after dinner. Other people like to smoke at parties or when they are relaxing at home. The combination of nicotine addiction and these kinds of strong mental links makes smoking a tough habit to break.

3. How Does Nicotine Work?

Nicotine works on the brain and other parts of the nervous system. While a person is smoking, nicotine reaches the brain faster than drugs that enter the body directly through the veins. (For example, the brain feels the effects of nicotine faster than it feels the effects of a shot of heroin in the arm.) When smokers breathe in smoke, they draw nicotine into their lungs. Then, their bloodstream picks it up and it is quickly pumped by the heart right to the brain. Within just seven seconds the nicotine reaches the brain. This sudden burst of nicotine causes an instant "high." Some nicotine goes to other parts of the body. And if a woman is pregnant, this burst of nicotine also reaches the fetus through connecting blood vessels.

4. What Are The Effects Of Nicotine?

In large amounts, addictive drugs like nicotine, heroin and cocaine are poisons. for example, nicotine has been used to kill insects. Nicotine makes the heart beat faster. This, in turn, increases the breathing rate and causes the body to use more oxygen. Nicotine causes other changes in the circulatory system, too. For example, blood vessels narrow and the blood travels through then more slowly. This can increase blood pressure. Nicotine also appears to increase the tendency of the blood to clot and has been linked to heart diseases of the blood vessels and heart.

5. Why Does Smoking Help People Relax?

Nicotine can have different effects. it can act as an "upper" and speed up many body reactions. Or it can act as a "downer" and affect moods. How it works depends on several things - the amount of nicotine in the body, the time passed since the last cigarette, stress level and even the time of day. Early in the day nicotine acts as a stimulant to many people. Later in the day it seems to act more as a sedative and helps people to relax.

6. Why Aren't Smokers Satisfied With One or Two Cigarettes A Day?

When people smoke cigarettes for the first time, they nicotine may make them feel sick to their stomach and dizzy. As they smoke more cigarettes, the unpleasant feelings go away, and they get used to the nicotine and like its "upper" effects. Smokers often find they need a second cigarette - and another and another - in order to get the same feelings. After a while, they find the number of cigarettes that keeps them satisfied. At that point, the person is physically addicted and will only feel comfortable when nicotine is in his or her system.

7. Why Should Cigarette Smokers Think About Quitting?

One in four smokers dies early because of their smoking. They die of heart disease, cancer and emphysema. At one time smoking seemed "cool," but it has become less and less desirable. What's more, research shows that secondhand smoke - the smoke from other people's cigarettes - can harm the health of nonsmokers. Breathing in another person's smoke can cause many breathing problems in children, and cancer and heart disease in adults. The trend now is for public places and workplaces to go smoke free. This should help smokers make the move to quit and keep everyone's lungs healthier.

Cigarettes are so much a part of the American scene that many people think of them as "normal." They are easy to buy and inexpensive compared to other drugs. But cigarettes aren't normal. They are very addictive and cause sickness and death. They are illegal to use in many places and and it is illegal for minors to buy in most parts of the U.S.

8. How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

Withdrawal symptoms last longer with some former smokers than with others. For most people, withdrawal is at its worst during the first few days. Then it tapers off over the next few weeks. But getting used to like without cigarettes can take some time - even months.

9. What About Smokers Who Quit Time And Time Again?

Most smokers need to "practice" quitting several times before they make it for good. The best advice is to keep trying! Practice helps smokers plan what to do the next time they get the urge to smoke. Quitting smoking may seem almost impossible, but it can be done. Don't give up! More than 43 million Americans have quit. Many of them tried several times before they were able to quit. They made it and quit for good. Other smokers can, too.

10. What Do Former Smokers Say About The Benefits Of Quitting?

People who quit smoking are proud of themselves for breaking the addiction. By quitting, smokers get many health benefits. they cut down their risk of having lung disease, a heart attack or getting cancer. Former smokers are glad to be rid of cigarette stains on their fingers, hacking coughs and the smell of stale cigarette smoke on their clothing.

Other pleasant "side effects" of quitting are an improved sense of smell and taste!

Have a Healthy Day!

* All information in this article has been gathered from the American Lung Association.