Parents, Know the Facts! - Nicotine

NICOTINE IS A STIMULANT DRUG THAT SPEEDS UP THE MESSAGES TRAVELLING BETWEEN THE BRAIN AND BODY.

Nicotine is a nitrogen-containing chemical, made by a variety of plants, notably the tobacco plant. Additionally, it is synthesised synthetically. Nicotiana tabacum is the nightshade family member that produces the nicotine found in tobacco plants. The nightshade family includes red peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, and potatoes.

Forms of nicotine: cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco/snuff, electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes).

PARAPHERNALIA

Cigarette papers or wrappers, pipes, bongs, hookahs, holders of smoking materials of all types, cigarette rolling machines, and any other item designed for the smoking, preparation, storing, or consumption of tobacco products.

EFFECTS OF NICOTINE

Nicotine causes a range of effects on both the body and mind. The following effects may be experienced:

Decreased appetite, diarrhoea, gastrointestinal distress, heightened mood, improved memory and alertness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, increased production of saliva and phlegm, nausea, sweating.

WITHDRAWAL

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can begin within 30 minutes of your last use of tobacco and may differ from person to person. These symptoms can include:

Intense cravings for nicotine, tingling in the hands and feet, sweating, nausea and abdominal, cramping, constipation and gas, headaches, coughing, sore throat, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, irritability, depression, weight gain.

LONG TERM EFFECTS

Acute bronchitis, acute myeloid leukemia, asthma, atherosclerosis, bladder cancer, blood vessel disease, cataracts, COPD, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney cancer, low bone density, mouth cancer, pancreatic cancer, peptic ulcer, pneumonia, slowed wound healing, stomach cancer, stroke, throat cancer.

Men may experience more problems with:

Erectile dysfunction, poor sperm quality, sperm defects.

Women may experience more problems with:

Cervical cancer, ectopic pregnancy, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, reduced fertility, low birth weight baby, miscarriage, premature delivery, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).