tobacco

What is tobacco?

What is Tobacco?

Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum or Nicotina Rustica) is a native to tropical and subtropical America and now cultivated commercially across the globe. Tobacco has long been used traditionally, ceremonially, and medicinally by indigenous peoples. Commercially grown tobacco leaves are cured and mainly used for cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, and chewing tobacco.

Tobacco is typically smoked in cigarettes, cigars, pipes and spliffs (tobacco + cannabis). Tobacco can also be chewed as chewing tobacco, snuff, snus and dip.

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Nicotine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in tobacco plants, which is what gives tobacco products like cigarettes their “upper” properties. 

How Many People Use Tobacco?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in 2018 34.2 million people in the U.S. are current cigarette smokers, which is about 14 out of every 100 adults. 

What About E-cigs and Vapes?

E-cigarettes, vapes, JUULs, Puff bars, etc. all work in just about the same way. They’re typically made up of 4 things:

  • a cartridge/reservoir/pod which holds a e-liquid or “juice” containing varying amounts of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals

  • a heating element or atomizer

  • a power source - usually a battery

  • a mouthpiece

The use of E-cigarettes and vapes has become a lot more common in the past several years. Monitoring the Future, a nationally representative sample of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students, found that nicotine vaping rates have more than doubled from 2017 to 2019.

In 2019, 25.4% of 12th grade students reported vaping nicotine in the past 30 days, up from 11% in 2017.

what are the effects of tobacco use?

What Are the Short-Term Effects of Tobacco/Nicotine?

The short-term effects of using tobacco products may include:

  • Increased heart rate

  • Increased blood pressure

  • Reduced anxiety

  • Light-headedness (especially for new users)

  • Increased focus

  • Decreased appetite

  • Feelings of relaxation

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Using Tobacco?

It is common knowledge that smoking is linked to many health issues. The harmful materials in cigarettes (like tar, carbon monoxide and acetone) put smokers at a higher risk of:

  • Heart Disease

  • Stroke

  • Diabetes

  • Lung Cancer (and other types of cancer)

  • Chronic Bronchitis

  • Asthma

  • Cataracts

  • Infertility

Because the nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive, users may find it hard to quit. Withdrawal from nicotine can make someone feel anxious or irritable and can cause headaches and sleeping problems.

WHY DO PEOPLE USE tobacco?

People who use tobacco do so for many different reasons: to experience a sense of relaxation or stress relief, for pleasure, in social situations, or because they enjoy the ritual of smoking.

How do I recognize a problem with tobacco?

Some folks can smoke occasionally without becoming addicted. An addiction to tobacco may look like:

  • Not being able to stop, despite multiple attempts to quit

  • Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal (shaking hands, irritability, sleep problems) when you try to quit

  • Needing tobacco products to feel “normal” or using in times of stress

  • Feeling an urge to smoke or vape after a meal, movie or class (after long periods where you can’t use)

How do I help a friend who's having trouble with drugs?

If you are concerned about a friend's drug or alcohol use, this website contains information about different ways to help them.