Tobacco Essay Research Paper Tobacco is a

Tobacco Essay, Research Paper

Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves that are smoked, chewed, or

sniffed for a variety of effects. It is considered an addictive substance

because it contains the chemical nicotine.

The tobacco plant is believed to have originated in the Western

Hemisphere. The cultivated species most often grown for North American and

European tobacco products is Nicotine Tabacum. The leaves of the plant are

prepared for smoking, chewing, or sniffing. In addition nicotine tobacco

contains over 45 carcinogens and more than 4,000 chemicals.

Prior to European influence in the Americas, the Indians of Mexico and

Peru used tobacco for the ceremonies, medical purposes and to alleviate

hunger pains during famines. Columbus is credited with introducing tobacco

into Europe. Tobacco use became widely accepted by the Portuguese, Spanish,

French, British, and Scandinavians. Explorers and sailors who became

dependent upon tobacco began planting seeds at their ports of call,

introducing the product into other parts of Europe and Asia.

The colonist introduced tobacco on the American continent in the early

1600’s. It became a major crop and trading commodity of the Jamestown

Colony. Over the years tobacco has been claimed as a cure for a wide range of

ailments with varying forms of administration. Its social importance also

grew over the years, even the point of denoting the “modern women” during the

1st part of the twentieth century.

It was not until the 1960’s, with the introduction of medical research

related to cigarette smoking that the adverse health effects of the tobacco

became widely publicized. Unfortunately, most of the health hazards were only

associated with cigarette smoking. While the number of cigarette smokers in

the United States has continually decreased over recent years the number of

smokeless tobacco users has steadily increased. Since the 1970’s a 15-fold

increase in smokeless tobacco has been noted in adolescents 17 to 19 years

old. This has most likely been related to the emphasis on smoke free

environments, availability, increased advertising of smokeless products, and

the false belief that smokeless tobacco is a safe alternative for those

convinced they should stop smoking but who still want the nicotine effects of

tobacco.

Although over 40 million people in the United States have quit

smoking, about 50 million continue to smoke (about 25% of the population).

Each year, approximately 1.3 million Americans quit smoking. In addition

about two thirds of current smokers report they have never tried to quit.

About 30 to 40% of those who have not tried to quit say they do not believe

that the health risks of smoking will ultimately decrease their risks for

disease.

Young men are at highest risk for using tobacco products but the

incidence in women is increasing. Smokeless tobacco use patterns are higher

within the following occupations; athletes, ranchers, farmers, fishermen,

lumberjacks, and industrial workers, who have jobs requiring hand freedom.

Nicotine has both stimulant and depressant effects upon the body.

Bowel tone and activity increases along with saliva and bronchial secretions.

Stimulation is followed with a phase that depresses the respiratory muscles.

As an euphoric agent, nicotine causes arousal as well as relaxation from

stressful situations. On the average, tobacco use increases the heart rate 10

to 20 beats per minute and it increases the blood pressure reading by 5 to 10

millimeters of mercury (because it constricts the blood vessels). Nicotine

may also increase sweating, nausea and diarrhea because of its effects on the

central nervous system. Nicotine’s effect upon hormonal activities is also

present. It elevates the blood level of glucose and increases insulin

production. Nicotine also tends to enhance platelet aggregation, which may

lead to blood clotting.

The positive effects of nicotine upon the body should also be noted.

It stimulates memory and alertness, enhancing cognitive skills that requires

speed, reaction time and work performance. As a mood-altering agent, it tends

to alleviate boredom, reduces stress, and reduces aggressive responses to

stressful events. It also tends to be an appetite suppressant specifically

decreasing the appetite for simple carbohydrates and disturbs the efficiency

with which food is metabolized. People who use tobacco products frequently

depend upon it to provide these side effects to help them accomplish certain

tasks at specific levels.

With all the information that is out today why do people continue to

smoke. Since 1964, the Surgeon General has warned that smoking is a health

hazard this announcement promoted the U.S. Public Health Service and The

American Cancer Society to publicize the dangers of tobacco smoking, and

offer

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