Understanding Tobacco, Nicotine, and Your Health
Commercial tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death in the United States. Whether you smoke cigarettes, vape, use smokeless tobacco, or are exposed to secondhand smoke, tobacco can have lasting effects on your lungs and overall health.
The good news is that it's never too late to quit. Quitting tobacco at any age can improve your health, reduce your risk of disease, and help you breathe easier.
Whether you're thinking about quitting, supporting someone who wants to quit, or simply looking for reliable information, understanding how tobacco and nicotine affect the body is the first step.
What Is Tobacco?
Commercial tobacco refers to products made from tobacco that contain nicotine, an addictive chemical that makes quitting difficult.
Common tobacco and nicotine products include:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars and cigarillos
- Pipes
- Smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff, dip)
- Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vapes)
- Nicotine pouches and other oral nicotine products
Although these products differ in how they are used, most expose the body to nicotine and other harmful chemicals.
What Is Nicotine?
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found naturally in tobacco plants and added to many nicotine products.
When nicotine enters the body, it quickly reaches the brain and causes the release of chemicals that can temporarily improve mood, increase alertness, and reduce cravings. These effects wear off quickly, causing the urge to use nicotine again.
Over time, the brain becomes dependent on nicotine, making quitting challenging. Nicotine addiction is a medical condition, not simply a lack of willpower.
Fortunately, effective treatments, medications, and counseling can help people successfully quit.
How Does Tobacco Affect Your Health?
Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including dozens known to cause cancer. These chemicals damage nearly every organ in the body.
Tobacco use increases the risk of:
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Lung cancer
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Asthma attacks
- Chronic bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Pneumonia and other respiratory infections
- Diabetes complications
- Pregnancy complications
- Oral disease and gum disease
Smoking also weakens the body's immune system, making it harder to fight infections and recover from illness.
Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking?
While vaping generally expose users to fewer harmful chemicals than combustible cigarettes, they are not risk-free, they are not safe.
Most vaping products contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can affect brain development in adolescents and young adults. Vape aerosols may also contain chemicals that can irritate or damage the lungs.
For adults who smoke cigarettes, completely switching from cigarettes to vapes may reduce exposure to some harmful chemicals. However, using both products ("dual use") does not eliminate the health risks associated with smoking.
If you do not use tobacco, the healthiest choice is not to start using any nicotine product.
What Is Secondhand Smoke?
Secondhand smoke is the smoke breathed out by a smoker and the smoke that comes from the burning end of tobacco products.
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.
Exposure can increase the risk of:
- Asthma attacks
- Respiratory infections
- Heart disease
- Lung cancer
- Ear infections in children
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Creating smoke-free homes, vehicles, and workplaces helps protect everyone, especially children, older adults, and people with lung disease.
What Is Thirdhand Smoke?
Thirdhand smoke is the residue left behind after tobacco smoke clears. It can remain on:
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Carpets
- Walls
- Vehicle interiors
- Bedding
- Children's toys
People, especially infants and young children, can be exposed by touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in particles that remain in the environment.
The best way to prevent thirdhand smoke exposure is to maintain smoke-free homes and vehicles.
Why Is It So Hard to Quit?
Many people try to quit several times before quitting for good.
Quitting can be difficult because nicotine addiction involves both physical dependence and daily habits.
Common triggers include:
- Stress
- Drinking coffee or alcohol
- Driving
- Social situations
- After meals
- Seeing others smoke or vape
Withdrawal symptoms may include:
- Strong cravings
- Irritability
- Increase anxiety/stress
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restlessness
- Trouble sleeping
- Increased appetite
These symptoms are temporary and often improve within the first few weeks after quitting.
Every quit attempt is an opportunity to learn what works and move closer to becoming tobacco-free.
Why Should I Quit?
Quitting tobacco has immediate and long-term health benefits, regardless of how long you've used tobacco.
Benefits include:
- Improved breathing
- Better circulation
- Lower risk of heart disease and stroke
- Reduced risk of lung cancer and many other cancers
- Fewer COPD and asthma flare-ups
- Better response to COPD and asthma treatments
- More energy for daily activities
- Improved sense of taste and smell
- Protection for family members from secondhand smoke
- You'll save money
It's never too late to quit, and your body begins healing almost immediately.
How Can I Quit?
Quitting tobacco is a process, and you don't have to do it alone.
Successful quitting often combines:
- A personalized quit plan
- Behavioral counseling or coaching
- FDA-approved quit medications
- Support from family and friends
- Follow-up with a healthcare professional
If one approach doesn't work, don't give up. Many people make several quit attempts before quitting successfully.
Helping Someone Quit
If someone you care about uses tobacco, your support can make a difference.
Helpful ways to support someone include:
- Listening without judgment
- Encouraging rather than criticizing
- Celebrating milestones
- Understanding that setbacks can happen
- Offering to help them find resources or attend appointments
- Respecting that quitting is a personal journey
Positive encouragement is often more effective than pressure.
Ready to Quit?
Whether you're ready to quit today or simply thinking about it, support is available.
Talk with your healthcare professional about treatment options, medications, and counseling.
Free quit support is available through the New Hampshire Quitline by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visiting QuitNowNH.org.
Remember, quitting tobacco is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your lung health and overall well-being.
