Tobacco

drug-info-tobacco
Monday, August 31, 2009

  1. What it is

    Tobacco refers to the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, which is processed into cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff or snus. Tobacco contains nicotine, a poisonous alkaloid to which people can become addicted.

  2. Health effects

    Short-term effects
    Smoking tobacco is a dangerous activity that has negative short-term and long-term consequences. Some short-term effects include:

  3. Dependence, addiction and overdose risk

    Nicotine is a drug with highly addictive properties. When tobacco is consumed, nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream and, over time, will create tolerance and dependence. Despite the well-documented harmful effects to the body, people still choose to smoke.

  4. Law and penalities

    Tobacco control in New Zealand is legislated under the provisions of the Smoke-free Environments Act and subsequent amendments. The Act governs where people cannot smoke and places restrictions on the trade of cigarettes, such as regulations around the sale, marketing and advertising of tobacco products.

  5. Drug trends

    Tobacco is the single largest cause of preventable death in New Zealand and is the second-most common recreational drug after alcohol.

  6. Reducing the harm

    Because nicotine is a highly addictive drug, it is strongly suggested that you never start smoking. Parental smoking and peer pressure are common reasons why young people start smoking, but this is a habit that can kill you.

  7. How to get help

    The Quitline is a national telephone helpline that provides advice to callers who wish to quit smoking. In addition to support and advice from Quitline advisors, subsidised nicotine patches and gum are available for up to eight weeks. Other forms of treatment include hypnotherapy and acupuncture.

  8. Tobacco and pregnancy

    Smoking can do significant harm to an unborn child. Babies are more likely to be born underweight, premature or stillborn.

  9. Second-hand smoke

    Second-hand smoke refers to smoke that is breathed out by smokers (mainstream smoke) and the smoke that wafts from a lit cigarette (sidestream smoke). Two-thirds of the smoke from a cigarette is not inhaled by the person smoking the cigarette.

  10. Links

    www.ash.org.nz The website of New Zealand's Action on Smoking and Health, a leading lobby group for tobacco safety.

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