Tobacco

What is tobacco?

Tobacco is the dried leaves of a plant that grows in may parts of the world. Tobacco contains a variety of chemicals, including nicotine which is a drug with a mild stimulant effect. Most tobacco is sold in the form of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco (cigar and pipe tobacco is made from stronger darker tobacco). A survey conducted in 1988 showed that 32% of people aged 16 or over in the UK smoked cigarettes. This figure is thought to be dropping slightly over time.

Effects of short-term use

Tobacco smoke consists of droplets of tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and other gases. The amount of nicotine (the main active ingredient) and other substances that is absorbed through the lungs depends on how much and how deeply the smoke is inhaled. Nicotine is a stimulant and smokers feel that tobacco helps relieve boredom and tiredness and also helps reduce stress and anxiety. The effects are almost immediate but fade quickly, which encourages continual use. Some people may experience nausea and dizziness when they inhale tobacco smoke for the first few times.

Effects of long-term use

The more a person smokes, the more likely they are to suffer from heart disease, blood clots, cancer, strokes, bronchitis, bad circulation and ulcers. Tobacco contributes to around 110,000 premature deaths a year in the UK. Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have smaller babies and run a bigger risk of losing the child before and shortly after childbirth.

Tobacco is also likely to cause physical and psychological dependency in a short space of time if it is smoked regularly. People who stop smoking after a period of time are likely to suffer withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability, depression and craving for tobacco.

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