1. TOBACCO

2. What is the Drug?
The main chemical in tobacco is Nicotine, a stimulant.
Stimulant: a substance that raises levels of physiological or nervous activity in the body.
The main forms of intake: Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewable tobacco, vaporizers

3. What are Examples of the Drug?
Street names:
For cigarettes: “Smokes”, “Ciggies”, “Stokes”
For chewing tobacco: “Snuff”, “Dip”, “Pinch”, “Chew”
For vaporizers: ”Vape”, “Vooping”, “Cloud chasing”, “Riding the mist”
For e-cigarettes: “Vape pens”, “E-cigs”
Technical names:
Nicotiana Tabacum, the tobacco flora.
Nicotine, the chemical ingredient.
Nicotania Rustica (strong tobacco)

4. Why do People Start Using Tobacco?
Attractiveness in the Media
For 90s generations, cigarettes were a staple of looking cool in the media.
For more modern times, vapor (vaping) is more common.
Both of these smoking methods contain Nicotine.
Stress-relief
Nicotine has positive effects on mood, and can lessen anxiety for some.
Peer pressure
Substance use has been used historically as a staple of socialization.
The pressure to be “in” with the crowd can be convincing enough to try it for the first time.

5. Is the Drug Addictive? YES
Tobacco is addictive because of its chemical component Nicotine, which:
Causes a surge of endorphins within the brain
Increases dopamine
How addictive?
Of all attemptees, only 6% a year will succeed
US CDC: it takes 8-10 serious attempts for users to quit

6. Route of Administration
Oral
Chewing Tobacco
Dissolvable Tobacco (Tobacco “lozenges”)
Smoking
Nasal
Snuff (dry form of smokeless tobacco)

7. Legal and Social Issues Surrounding the Drug
It is prohibited to smoke:
within 20ft from the opening of a building
in many public places such as parks, beaches or amusement parks
in a vehicle with a child (under the age of 18) present

8. Effects of Tobacco on the body
Tobacco is not only harmful to your lungs. The effects of tobacco can lead to many diseases such as:
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease):
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Refractory asthma
Various Cancers:
Lung, upper respiratory tract, cervical cancers (primarily smokers)
Stomach Cancer (primarily from chewing tobacco users)
Larynx, mouth, throat, pancreas, kidney, and bladder (both using types)
Reproductive Damage:
Abnormal sperm cells, impotence (men)
Menstrual disorders, early menopause, and difficulties with pregnancy
Heart/ Blood Vessel Problems:
Hypertension
Heart attacks
Higher chance of stroke (blocked blood vessels)

9. Additional Information
History of tobacco
First patent for cigarette rolling machine was in September 1880, and could produce 120,000 cigarettes in a day-- Bonsack
Arising issues with vapor substances
New toxins
Australia's stance
It's considered more addictive than heroin!
Additional Information
Effects regarding pregnancy
Increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and defects of the mouth and lip
Increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)