Effects+of+Nicotine+on+Health


 * The Effects of Nicotine on Health (Physiological & Psychological)**

The effects of nicotine on health were seen as a concern as far back as 1604. King James of England created an anti-tobacco pamphlet that stated the dangers of tobacco on the lungs and the brain (Hart & Ksir, 2011). This started a long process of making tobacco illegal to use in certain areas and for specific populations. New York City made it illegal for women to use tobacco in the 1908, and by 1920 women could be removed from school or work for smoking (Hart & Ksir, 2011). The first suspicion of smoking casing cancer in the United States came in 1930’s and 40’s but it was not until 1964 that the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office of Health created and released a report stating that there was a definite link between smoking and lung cancer (Hart & Ksir, 2011). As more and more research was conducted about the harmful effects of smoking and cigarettes concerns began to arise about advertising cigarettes as well. In the 1990’s many locations in the Unites States such as airplanes, public buildings, offices, and restaurants, smoking and advertising of smoking was banned (Hart & Ksir, 2011).
 * History:**

On May 31 of 2006 the Smoke Free Ontario Act came into effect in Ontario. This removed smoking from all enclosed public places – bars, schools, sports areas etc (Government of Ontario, 2011). The //Smoke Free Ontario Act// states that the goals of the smoke free legislation is to “help smokers to quit, protecting non-smokers from exposure to second hand smoke, and encourage young people never to start (2006). The act is also an attempt to make stricter rules regarding minors purchasing tobacco. The Act says this is important because tobaccos is the number one cause of preventable death in Ontario, killing over 13000 Ontarians every year (Government of Ontario, 2011).
 * Ontario:**

In Canada there are more than 230000 deaths each year, 17% of these deaths were attributed to smoking, and every day about 100 Canadians die because of a smoking-related illness (Health Canada, 2011). The main types of smoking related deaths in Canada are cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. In 2002 //Health Canada// reported 831 deaths among adults caused by second hand smoke, the main causes being heart disease and lung cancer. Along with this exposure to second hand smoke accounted for 100 infant deaths. The cause of these being Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, low birth weight and short gestation (Health Canada, 2011). There are approximately 45000 deaths a year in Canada of smoking-related causes.
 * Canada:**

The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) in Toronto, Ontario recognizes the physiological and psychological effects of smoking. The physiological effects of smoking are determined by how long a person smokes and the amount they smoke. The physiological effects include lung cancer, increases the risk of cancer (colon, mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder and cervix), chronic bronchitis and emphysema, smoker’s cough, heart disease and stroke, increases risk of medical problems for a woman during pregnancy (miscarriage, bleeding, placenta previa and poor healing, increase risk that the baby will be underweight will die in infancy) (CAMH, 2012). Smoking can cause osteoporosis, increase the risk of digestive problems, more prone to colds, flu, and pneumonia (weak immune system), inability to heal as quickly, clogged arteries (causes poor circulation, leg pain, gangrene, loss of limb) (CAMH, 2012). Physical withdrawal from nicotine causes symptoms including anxiety, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, trouble concentrating, strong cravings, and insomnia. These symptoms may last for weeks after quitting smoking, and trouble concentrating and cravings could last for months (CAMH, 2012).
 * Physiological Effects:**

Psychological effects of smoking are the mood altering effects of the drug, nicotine being the primary reinforcing substance in tobacco (Hart & Ksir, 2011). Many people state that they are unable to quit smoking because it helps them to concentrate and feel relaxed. Dopamine levels in the brain are raised increasing these feelings along with the feelings of pleasure which reinforces smoking and the pleasure associated with smoking (CAMH, 2012). When a person smokes to relieve stressors smoking may become associated with those stressors and reinforce smoking. Feelings of pleasure rely on nicotine to bring these feeling, making it difficult to quit, especially in times of low mood and motivation (CAMH, 2012).
 * Psychological Effects:**


 * Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking**

There are a lot of negative health aspects of starting and continuing to smoke and there are a lot of health benefits to quitting smoking. Some of the adverse effects and negative consequences of smoking can be alleviated.

The overall mortality risk for a smoker is two times higher when compared to a nonsmoker. Though, within five years of quitting smoking, an individuals risk of premature is reduced 50 percent and within 15 years of quitting smoking a former smokers’ risk of premature death is nearly identical to a lifelong nonsmoker (Abrams, 2003).

A smoker’s risk of lung cancer is more than 20 times higher for males when compared to their nonsmoking counterparts and 12 times higher for women. Once an individual has quit smoking for 10 years, the risk of developing lung cancer is reduced between 30 and 50 percent (Abrams, 2003).

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) risks are three times higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. Within one year of quitting smoking, an individual’s risk of coronary heart disease is reduced to half. After 15 years of not smoking and individuals risk of coronary heart disease is similar to a nonsmoking individuals (Abrams, 2003).

When a smoker who suffers from respiratory symptoms including coughing and wheezing quits smoking, these symptoms often will disappear within six months (Abrams, 2003).