NICOTINE FACT SHEET
Nicotine is a substance found in
tobacco. It is found in all tobacco products such as: cigarettes, pipe tobacco,
chewing tobacco, and cigars.
When a person smokes a tobacco product,
they inhale the smoke which contains nicotine as well as over 500 chemicals.
Nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction. When a user is
addicted to nicotine, they feel as if they need nicotine in order to function
normally.
The smoke from tobacco also contains tar which is damaging to
the mouth, throat, and lungs.
Nicotine reaches the brain within 10
seconds after intake.
Nicotine is a stimulant to the brain and the
central nervous system.
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS
- increase in blood pressure
- increase in heart rate
- thickening of blood
- narrowing of arteries
- decrease in skin temperature
- increase in respiration
- stimulation of the central nervous system
- vomiting
- diarrhea
LONGTERM EFFECTS
- high blood pressure
- blockage of blood vessels
- depletion of vitamin C
- reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system
- cancer of the mouth, throat, and lungs
- cancer of the upper respiratory tract
- bronchitis and/or emphysema
- stomach ulcers
- weight loss
- dryness and wrinkling of the skin
- production of abnormal sperm in males
SMOKING AND
PREGNANCY
Women who smoke have a greater risk of premature
detachment of the placenta. Once detachment has occurred, perinatal death rates
also increase. This risk increases by 20% with every 1/2 pack of cigarettes
smoked.
Women who smoke also suffer from more reproductive tract
infections, fertility and menstrual disorders, earlier menopause, and problems
during pregnancy.
Female smoking-related death rates have been rising.
It is estimated that by the year 2020, more than I million adult females will
die from tobacco-related illness.
NICOTINE AND
PREGNANCY
- low birth weight
- premature birth
- greater occurrence of miscarriage and stillbirth
- impairment of mental development
- impairment of physical development
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- baby has a greater likelihood of being hyperactive
Because
nicotine is so addictive, there are withdrawal symptoms that may occur when a
person is not using the drug
WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS
- drop in pulse rate
- drop in blood pressure
- disturbance of sleep
- slower reactions
- tension
- restlessness
- depression
- irritability
- constipation
- difficulty in concentration
- craving for tobacco
Although these symptoms may cause discomfort
for a brief period of time, the benefits to a person who quits smoking greatly
outweigh an addiction to nicotine.
These benefits include improved
health and greater enjoyment of everyday activities.
EXTENT OF
USE
Tobacco (nicotine) use is the number one health problem in
the U.S.
The National Household Survey (1993) reports:
- 71.2% of those surveyed have used nicotine
- 29.4% used in the past year
- 24.2% used in past month
- 75.5% of ages 12 and up who have used nicotine are white
- 57.4% ages 12 and up were Hispanic
- 59.6% ages 12 and up are black
- 45.3% of 8th graders have smoked cigarettes
- 56.3% of 10th graders have smoked
- 61.9% of 12th graders have smoked
- 8.3% 8th graders are regular smokers
- 14.2% 10th graders are regular smokers
- 19% 12 graders are regular smokers
If you suspect a problem with nicotine, cigarettes and/or other drug use, please
contact the National Drug Information Treatment and Referral Hotline at
(800) 662-HELP(4357). They can supply you with:
- printed materials
- treatment services in your state
- referrals for treatment
- alcohol treatment services
- adolescent and family services in your state
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