Tobacco products are full of many different harmful chemicals. One of the most toxic ingredients they contain is nicotine. What does nicotine do to the human body and what quantities do different tobacco products contain?
The facts about Nicotine:
“Nicotine is a dangerous and highly addictive chemical. It can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart and a narrowing of the arteries (vessels that carry blood). Nicotine may also contribute to the hardening of the arterial walls, which in turn, may lead to a heart attack. This chemical can stay in your body for six to eight hours depending on how often you smoke. Also, as with most addictive substances, there are some side effects of withdrawal. And some e-cigarettes and newer tobacco products deliver even more nicotine than traditional cigarettes. (American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/how-smoking-and-nicotine-damage-your-body).
Breakdown of nicotine in traditional cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches and other smokeless tobacco products (snuff, chew, dip).
1. In an average pack of cigarettes 22-36 milligrams of nicotine is actually inhaled.
2. Vapes or e-cigarettes typically contain 20 -50 mg of nicotine per vape (600-800 puffs). The low nicotine vapes contain a similar amount to that of cigarettes, whereas the higher dose vapes have double the nicotine of cigarettes. With many vape products, it is difficult to tell exactly how much nicotine it contains.
3. Packs of nicotine pouches are sold in varying strengths ranging from 30 – 120 mg per pack. This is delivered in the form of slow release nicotine but with up to 3 times the amount of cigarettes.
4. With smokeless tobacco (snuff, chew, dip), nicotine is absorbed directly into the bloodstream very quickly and can contain as much nicotine as 4 cigarettes in one use/serving.
There are warnings about the harmful and even deadly effects of tobacco products EVERYWHERE we look. They are written directly on the packages of cigarettes, vapes, nicotine pouches and other smokeless tobacco products as well as huge signs posted at the registers and on the front doors of stores that sell them.