The American Cancer Society (ACS) states that nicotine is as addictive as heroin or cocaine and, when smoked for a long time, results in both a physical and an emotional dependence. When inhaled by smokers, the smoke is inhaled deeply into the crevices of the lungs, and the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream. This, along with the addiction, causes some serious effects.
Increased Tolerance
Nicotine, while causing pleasant feelings for those who smoke, also acts as a depressant according to the ACS. When pleasant feelings erupt from within, they cause a craving for more cigarettes. The depressant effect then interferes with the ability of brain cells to receive information from one another. These two effects combined result in a smoker smoking more cigarettes to obtain those feelings that once were achieved with a fewer number of cigarettes.
Cancer
Because of the addiction to smoking that nicotine causes, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), perhaps one of the most serious effects of nicotine is cancer. As the ACS explains, most people know that smoking can cause lung cancer. It is, however, responsible for a variety of other cancers as well. These include but are not limited to mouth and throat cancer, kidney cancer, cervical cancer, cancer of the esophagus and stomach cancer.
Social Issues
State Health Facts states that as of 2008, 36 states have a ban on public smoking. This includes bars, restaurants and taverns. Because of these bans, some smokers do not participate in the same social activities they once enjoyed,because they are unable to bring their habit with them, explains the Mayo Clinic. This can seriously impede time spent with family and friends or celebrating special occasions with loved ones.
Inability to Quit
Mark Twain is quoted as saying, "Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times."
This does not just apply to one of the best-known American authors but also to anyone who has subjected themselves to nicotine. The Mayo Clinic states that one of the effects of nicotine is the inability to quit smoking after several attempts. This is due to the withdrawal symptoms many experience, because of the addiction to nicotine. The ACS states that while nicotine affects everyone differently, someone who smokes on a regular basis can expect the nicotine to remain in the system for three to four days after the last puff was taken.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Perhaps one of the reasons leaving nicotine behind is so difficult is because of the withdrawal symptoms it produces. The ACS explains that it is these symptoms that cause smokers to begin smoking again, as the craving for nicotine overcomes them, leading them back to the source again.
When you try to stop providing your body with nicotine, its source of pleasant feelings, you may experience mood swings, problems concentrating, depression and difficulty sleeping or you may become easily frustrated or angry. These may be accompanied by nausea or an increased appetite.
Cost
Smoking is an expensive habit, as pointed out by the ACS. The site recommends multiplying how much you spend each day on cigarettes, and then multiplying this amount by 365, the number of days in a year. This tells you how much you are actually spending on cigarettes each year.
If you need to be enticed to quit, multiple that amount by 10 (10 representing the next 10 years), and then ask yourself how many vacations you could take or what car you buy yourself.
If you decide to quit based on cost alone, a number of community programs are available to help you on your journey, not to mention your physician, who can help you by prescribing you medication that is marketed specifically to stop cravings and help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
