What is tobacco?
Tobacco comes from a plant in the nightshade family. It is a substance that affects the mind. The dried leaves of the plant are processed for consumption; their psychoactive effect comes mainly from the nicotine they contain. During industrial processing, more than 100 additives are also added to the tobacco, including flavorings, sugars, and humectants.
What is nicotine?
Nicotine is found in various plants of the Solanaceae family, primarily in tobacco varieties grown for commercial purposes. As the active ingredient in tobacco, it is highly addictive and causes physical dependence. It is also toxic to the heart and blood vessels, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. It is consumed by smoking cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos; using heated tobacco products; vaping (vapes, puffs, etc.); or in oral form (nicotine pouches, snus, snuff, etc.).
What are the effects of nicotine on the brain?
In humans, nicotine primarily affects the brain and its various nervous systems. When inhaled (as smoke or vapor), it reaches the brain in 9 to 19 seconds; other methods of consumption are significantly slower. In the brain, it stimulates, in particular, the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure. With regular use, the brain becomes accustomed to it and develops a dependence.
What are the effects of nicotine on the body?
Nicotine primarily has a stimulating effect: it triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, a chemical associated with pleasure. Over time, the brain adapts and develops a “tolerance” to nicotine: more is needed to feel the same effects. When nicotine levels drop, dopamine release decreases, and various withdrawal symptoms may appear, such as irritability, difficulty concentrating, or an intense urge to use ( cravings).
Recent studies indicate that nicotine’s toxicity goes beyond the dependence it causes: it also affects the cardiovascular system by causing damage to the inside of blood vessels. It also raises blood pressure and, in the long term, increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.
Good to Know
In Switzerland
The Federal Act on Tobacco Products and Electronic Cigarettes (LPTab) sets the maximum amount of nicotine permitted in these products. For cigarettes, the nicotine release in the smoke is limited to 1 mg per cigarette. Nicotine-containing liquids, on the other hand, are limited to 20 mg/ml. Oral products, such as snus or nicotine pouches, and heated tobacco products, however, are not subject to any maximum nicotine content and may therefore contain much higher levels.