Nicotine

What is it?

Nicotine is a naturally occurring stimulant most commonly found in tobacco (a substance derived from the tobacco plant). It is usually taken by smoking tobacco but can also be taken by sniffing tobacco or chewing either the tobacco or tobacco leaves. In more recent years nicotine has also been administered through the use of gum, patches, lozenges and e-cigarettes as part of nicotine replacement therapy for those wishing to stop nicotine use.

Short-term effects

Nicotine is a stimulant. Its use increases both your heart-rate and blood pressure, but it can also make you feel more relaxed by increasing feelings of pleasure and reducing stress and anxiety. Nicotine can also suppress your appetite and cause increased bowel activity. First-time smokers may experience nausea and dizziness.

The effects from smoking nicotine can be felt almost immediately, but subside quickly. Nicotine replacement therapies are designed to allow the effects to last longer in the body.

Long-term effects

Nicotine is extremely addictive. Dependence can occur even after only short periods of use and can be very difficult to overcome. People trying to stop nicotine use will experience withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea, constipation, difficulty sleeping, agitation, anxiety and long-term effects on their mood, particularly the ability to feel pleasure in activities.

Nicotine itself can be highly toxic (and is usually mixed with various other highly toxic chemicals in tobacco). It is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular problems (heart attacks), poor blood circulation and strokes. When combined with the method of smoking tobacco, users then put themselves at risk of various cancers of the body, coronary heart disease and serious lung conditions such as emphysema, pneumonia and bronchitis.

If you are regularly exposed to cigarette smoke (passive smoking), you are also at increased risk of developing heart disease and lung cancer.

Smoking when pregnant increases the risk of complications such as premature birth, miscarriage and low birth weight and places the unborn child’s health at risk.

The law

Tobacco can be legally bought by anyone over the age of 18. There has been a ban on smoking in public places in Scotland since 2006.