| CIGARETTES CONTAIN the drug nicotine. This | | | | |
| drug stimulates dopamine release and elevates | | | | CONSEQUENCES OF TOBACCO USE |
| dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is | | | | |
| known as the master addiction molecule and | | | | A vast amount of human suffering is caused by |
| high levels in the brain reinforce drug | | | | tobacco use. Cigarettes contain other harmful |
| abuse. | | | | chemicals including cancer-causing tars. |
| | | | Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is harmful |
| Nicotine also stimulates the release of | | | | to non-smokers who share the smoker's |
| another substance called noradrenaline. | | | | environment. Children of parents who smoke |
| Nicotine addicts become accustomed to high | | | | show increased incidence of asthma, chronic |
| levels of these substances in the brain. They | | | | bronchitis and middle ear infections. |
| experience pleasure, elation and alertness as | | | | |
| a consequence of drug use. Normally, | | | | Women who smoke during pregnancy severely |
| nicotine is reabsorbed or quickly broken down | | | | damage the foetus. Cigarette smoking is one |
| by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO). | | | | of the most common causes of erectile |
| However, a cigarette is engineered so that | | | | dysfunction in men. It increases 10-fold |
| the action of the enzyme is blocked and | | | | death and illness from cardiovascular |
| nicotine is unleashed and unabated. | | | | diseases among diabetics and hypertensives |
| | | | and women who use oral contraceptives. |
| TRIPLE CAUSES OF ADDICTION | | | | Ninety-five per cent of all lung cancers are |
| | | | caused by tobacco smoking, whether active or |
| Ultimately, nicotine changes the structure | | | | passive. |
| and function of the brain. It elevates | | | | |
| dopamine levels, smokers have 25 per cent | | | | TIME TO QUIT |
| less MAO(A) and 40 per cent less MAO(B) than | | | | |
| non-smokers. For the triple whammy, | | | | If you are a smoker, your best investment is |
| cigarettes are treated with ammonia that | | | | to quit. Quitting is a risk-free investment |
| increases the absorption of nicotine 100 fold | | | | which guarantees both financial and health |
| than tobacco in its natural state. Experts | | | | benefits. The only possible losers are the |
| agree that it is similar to freebasing. | | | | tobacco companies. There are three main |
| | | | methods of quitting once you have made up |
| Symptoms of nicotine dependence begin days to | | | | your mind to do so. They are: |
| weeks after occasional use, often before the | | | | |
| user begins smoking one stick each day. When | | | | Cold turkey - stopping abruptly on the |
| a person quits smoking, dramatic changes in | | | | appointed day. |
| their brain rival the magnitude and duration | | | | |
| of similar changes seen during withdrawal | | | | Tapering off - set a day for quitting and |
| from cocaine, heroin and amphetamines. Many | | | | reduce consumption until the day arrives. |
| tobacco addicts want to quit but find | | | | |
| stopping very difficult. Here are some | | | | Postponing - set a day for quitting and |
| interesting facts: | | | | reduce the hours of smoking by a fixed amount |
| | | | of time each day until the day arrives. |
| 70 per cent to 80 per cent of smokers want to | | | | |
| quit. | | | | You may need professional help to manage your |
| | | | cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal. |
| 40 per cent of heart attack smokers relapse | | | | However, drink plenty of water, walk briskly |
| within days of hospital discharge. | | | | for 20 to 30 minutes each day, breathe slowly |
| | | | or deeply for two to three minutes and eat |
| More than 50 per cent of heroin and cocaine | | | | fruits and other low-calorie snacks to curb |
| users, and alcoholics, rate smoking as harder | | | | your appetite. |
| to give up. | | | | |