People who smoke tobacco tend to form a habit, which is a behavior pattern from frequent repetition. A smoking habit turns into an addiction or a physical dependence that becomes challenging when you attempt to quit. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 46 million people smoke in the United States. In addition, the CDC notes that cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death.
History
Nicotine dates back to Native Americans, who cultivated tobacco plants and smoked the leaves for medicinal and ceremonial purposes. The term "nicotine" derives from Jean Nicot, a French diplomat who popularized the use of tobacco in the mid-15th century. In 1612, John Rolfe, an Englishman from Virginia, cultivated the first commercialized tobacco crop.
Significance
Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals, such as tar, carbon monoxide, nitrosamines and acetaldehyde, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, with nicotine being the primary culprit of a smoking habit. Nicotine increases the levels of dopamine in the brain's reward pathway that regulates feelings and pleasure. Long-term effects of nicotine include brain changes, leading to an addiction.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that a decreased level of both monoamine oxidase A and B increases dopamine levels and may be a contributor to your smoking habit. In addition, acetaldehyde stimulates the properties of nicotine to facilitate tobacco addiction.
Considerations
If you have a smoking habit, finding situations that coincide with smoking and like-minded people is common, such as breaks at work, having a drink and socializing with friends, especially when co-workers or friends smoke too. According to the CDC, an excess of $96 billion is spent annually on health care costs, and a reported $97 billion a year is estimated for loss of work productivity, which causes a total economic burden of more than $193 billion per year.
The National Comorbidity Study reported that 41 percent of all Americans with psychiatric disorders smoke. In addition, the group with psychiatric disorders accounted for 44.3 percent of all cigarette smokers in the United States.
Health Problems
Nicotine is a stimulant that can increase your blood pressure, respiration and heart rate. Smoking tobacco increases your potential risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and respiratory disorders. In addition, smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of complications, such as pre-term delivery and stillbirth, while secondhand smoke may cause low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Smoking Cessation
Nicotine is a psychoactive drug that produces dependence, and cessation may require repeated attempts, according to the CDC. An increase in irritability, anxiety and appetite are common withdrawal effects you may notice when you stop smoking. If symptoms persist, seek a consultation with a health care professional to help you break the habit.
