Tobacco refers to the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, which are processed into cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff or snus. Tobacco contains nicotine which is very addictive, and more than 4000 chemical compounds, including cyanide, acetone, DDT, carbon monoxide and ammonia.
Tobacco is known to cause more deaths in New Zealand than any other drug. Every year, 4700 people die from smoking-related causes.
At present, it is estimated that 1.1 billion people smoke worldwide, causing 4 million premature deaths every year. By 2030, it is estimated tobacco is likely to kill 10 million people each year and to be the world's leading cause of death.
Slang
Ciggies, Durries, Smokes, Baccy, Tailors, Chop chop
Short-term effects
Smoking tobacco has many negative short-term and long-term consequences. The immediate effects of tobacco include:
Long-term effects
There is a clear link between tobacco and cancer. Many of New Zealand’s 4700 deaths from tobacco are due to cancer. Long-term effects of tobacco include:
Dependence and addiction
Nicotine is highly addictive. 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, many people find it hard to stop smoking.
Nicotine acts on the brain's reward pathways (feelings of pleasure) within ten seconds of inhaling tobacco smoke. However, the pleasurable feeling dissipates within a few minutes, causing the smoker to crave more 'dosing' to maintain the pleasurable feeling and prevent withdrawal.
Overdose
Nicotine overdose is very rare because it is difficult to get enough of the chemical into a person’s system through smoking. However, nicotine is poisonous and if very large amounts are taken overdose is possible. Someone who has had too much nicotine will feel faint and confused, and will experience a rapid drop in blood pressure and breathing rate. This can escalate to convulsions and death from respiratory failure.
Tobacco control in New Zealand is legislated under the provisions of the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 and subsequent amendments. The Act governs where people cannot smoke and regulates the sale, marketing and advertising of tobacco products.
Key points of the law include:
Non-smokeable oral tobaccos (Snus or chewing tobacco) are prohibited in New Zealand, though Snuff (finely ground tobacco powder that is snorted up the nose) is legal, but not commonly used.
Tobacco is the single largest cause of preventable death in New Zealand and is the second-most common recreational drug after alcohol.
People who die from smoking tobacco lose, on average, 14 years of life compared to non-smokers. Tobacco is the only known consumer product that kills half of its users, when used as the manufacturer directs.
New Zealand has initiated many legislative measures for tobacco control.
Recent tobacco trends from 2008 show:
The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. However, we know there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs in a dangerous manner. To help keep communities safe we therefore provide information about proven methods of drug harm reduction.
Because nicotine is a highly addictive drug, it is strongly recommended 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.
The dangers of second-hand smoke are well known. Smoking not only harms your health, but can harm your family, friends, colleagues and people who share a room with you. If you must smoke, smoke outside. Don't smoke where other people congregate or walk past. Avoid setting a bad example by smoking around young people.
The Quitline is a national telephone helpline that provides advice to callers wanting to quit smoking. In addition to support and advice from Quitline advisors, subsidised nicotine patches and gum are available for up to eight weeks. Call the Quit Group 0800 778 778 or visit www.quit.org.nz.
Other forms of treatment include hypnotherapy and acupuncture.
Smoking can significantly harm an unborn child. Smokers’ babies are more likely to be born underweight, premature or stillborn.
The toxins in tobacco smoke will reach the baby as well. An unborn child's heart rate will increase and it will not receive less oxygen nourishment.
Also, children of smoking mothers are more likely to develop asthma, will be more susceptible to coughs, ear infections and respiratory illnesses and are at greater risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (cot-death).
Second-hand smoke refers to smoke that is breathed out by smokers (mainstream smoke) and the smoke coming from a lit cigarette (sidestream smoke). Two-thirds of the smoke from a cigarette is not inhaled by the person smoking the cigarette.
It is estimated that exposure to second-hand smoke causes the deaths of around 350 New Zealanders every year.
Second-hand smoke can increase the risk of developing or worsening some diseases, including lung cancer, emphysema, asthma, heart disease, cystic fibrosis and other cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses.
Children are particularly at risk from harm caused by second-hand smoke because their lungs are smaller and more delicate. Children who are often exposed to second-hand smoke are more susceptible to coughs and colds, and need to stay home from school more often. They are also more likely to need hospital care for ailments and illness. Also, second hand smoke affects behavioural development, reducing language skills, attention spans and academic achievement in children.
Young people exposed to second-hand smoke are seven times more likely to smoke in later life.
There are over 4000 chemicals contained in tobacco smoke, including 40 known cancer-causing substances. Some chemicals found in tobacco include:
A list of relevant links to further information and resources about tobacco:
www.quit.org.nz The Quit Group’s website that offers free telephone support, resources and low cost nicotine patches, gum and lozenges
www.ash.org.nz The website of New Zealand's Action on Smoking and Health, a leading lobby group for tobacco safety.
www.ndp.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexcm/ndp-tobacco-home New Zealand Government's National Drug Policy website's section on tobacco
www.sfc.org.nz The website of New Zealand's Smokefree Coalition, including informational and historical information
www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/tobacco-trends-2008 Ministry of Health research published in 2009. Tobacco Trends 2008: A brief update of tobacco use in New Zealand.
www.moh.govt.nz/tobacco Ministry of Health’s tobacco control information page
www.who.int/fctc/en/ The World Health Organisations Framework Convention on Tobacco Control