The Truth About Tobacco
Table of Contents
Tobacco is one of the most widely used — and most dangerous — substances in the world. While often associated with smoking, tobacco comes in many forms and affects nearly every organ in the body. Understanding its risks is the first step toward protecting your health and supporting others to do the same. Tobacco is a plant that has been used by humans for centuries, originally for ceremonial and medicinal purposes by Indigenous cultures. Today, it is most commonly consumed in the form of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and increasingly, electronic cigarettes (vapes). Despite its widespread use, tobacco is one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease worldwide.
What is Tobacco
Tobacco is a plant whose leaves contain nicotine, a highly addictive chemical. It’s processed and consumed in various ways:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff/snus)
- Hookah/Waterpipes
- E-cigarettes/wapes (contain synthetic or tobacco-derived nicotine)
Why is it Harmfull
Tobacco contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic or cancer-causing.
Health risks include:
- Lung cancer (and many other cancers)
- Heart disease and stroke
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Weakened immune system
- Pregnacy complications and birth defects
Even secondhand smoke can cause serious harm — especially in children.
Nicotine
Nicotine reaches the brain in seconds, triggering a temporary dopamine “reward.” But with repeated use, it causes dependency and withdrawal symptoms like:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Headaches
- Cravings
This makes quitting tobacco challenging — but not impossible.
Quitting Tobacco
Quitting is tough, but many have succeeded — and so can you. The benefits begin within minutes of your last cigarette.
Tips for quitting:
- Identify your triggers and develop alternatives
- Set a quit date and plan ahead
- Seek support (friends, family, or a quitline)
- Use nicotine replacement therapies (patch, gum, lozenges)
- Identify your triggers and develop alternatives
