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