Nicotine is the one of the many chemicals found in tobacco products and more commonly used in the form of cigarettes. These days other products such as nicotine chewing gum, mouth sprays and patches are also utilised but more frequently as a temporary measure to quit cigarette smoking. These nicotine replacement products deliver a fixed dose to alleviate the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and are rarely used as means to continue the addiction. Although nicotine itself has a host of effects on the body, the dangers associated with nicotine specifically is minimal. However, the wide range of other chemicals in burning tobacco have been implicated in serious disease, including cancer.
Cigarette smoking is a known health hazard. While cigar and other means of tobacco smoking, as in pipes, are not as common as cigarette smoking, the dangers are the same. Some new evidence suggests that tobacco smoking through a hookah (‘hubbly bubbly’) may be more toxic than cigarettes and cigars. Most cigarette smokers are well aware of the dangers and with warnings on the packaging, it is difficult to turn a blind eye to the potentially fatal consequences of cigarette smoking.
The anti-tobacco laws that have come into effect over the past few years in South Africa has undoubtedly inconvenienced cigarette smokers. From having to smoke in designated smoker zones even when outdoors to paying more every year for a pack of cigarettes, these measures have made smokers more aware of the importance of kicking the habit. Inconvenience and an expensive product will at least reduce tobacco usage even if many smokers do not quit. The electronic cigarette that has recently hit our shores has been hailed as the solution for many cigarette smokers, especially the office bound chain smoker.
