What it is

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