TOBACCO is the dried leaves of the plant that grow in many parts of the world. The main active ingredient is nicotine.

Most TOBACCO used in this country comes from America and is sold as cigarettes. Cigars and pipe TOBACCO are made from stronger, darker TOBACCO. Snuff is powdered TOBACCO that is sniffed up the nose.

HISTORY

The first recorded examples of TOBACCO smoking were from the Mexican Maya civilisation in about 500 AD. It was first brought to England in the second part of the 16th century by Sir Walter Raleigh. Many Europeans made extravagant claims about the use of TOBACCO to cure a variety of diseases and ailments. Initially smoking TOBACCO for pleasure was confined to the wealthy classes but its use gradually spread.

In the early 1600s King James and the clergy came out strongly against smoking TOBACCO and regarded it as immoral and a health risk. Rather than attempting to completely ban it the King raised the duty on its importation. Other countries took a more draconian view. TOBACCO smoking could be punished by death in Persia or China and by other less drastic, but nonetheless severe physical penalties in Russia and Turkey.

From the late 17th century to early 19th century snuff replaced pipe smoking as the main way TOBACCO was used in England. Cigar smoking also became more common.

It was not until the 1960s that TOBACCO smoking was associated with health problems. Until that time TOBACCO products were often seen as health enhancing and a good way or relaxing. Smoking was even advertised by famous sportsmen.

Health warnings led to a fall in TOBACCO consumption in developed countries, increased tax on TOBACCO products, controls on advertising, low tar varieties and bans on smoking in public places. It has also led to new products and schemes to help people stop smoking including smoking cessation groups, nicotine patches and chewing gums.

Also, it has been revealed that the TOBACCO companies knew for many years before it became public knowledge that regular smoking was closely linked to cancer. This has led to a number of court cases in the USA from those seeking compensation from the TOBACCO companies.

THE LAW

It is not illegal to buy, possess or use TOBACCO products. Selling TOBACCO products to children aged under 16 years old is an offence. Under the Children and Young Persons (Protection from TOBACCO) Act 1991 maximum fines for selling to under 16s were increased from £400 to £1000. Retailers who sell TOBACCO products have to prominently display a notice about not selling to children and local authorities have to monitor retail outlets which sell TOBACCO products.

TOBACCO products are not allowed to be advertised on television and the TOBACCO industry has also entered into agreements which regulate TOBACCO advertising. This voluntary code includes not associating advertising with masculinity, femininity, sexual success, achievement and courage and not aiming cigarette sales at young people.

EFFECTS/ RISKS

TOBACCO smoking involves the inhalation of tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide and other gases. Nicotine is a stimulant drug which increases pulse rate and blood pressure. Regular smokers often find smoking combats anxiety and stress, helps concentration and alleviates boredom. Some also find it suppresses appetite. First time users often feel sick, dizzy and suffer headache.

Tolerance develops quickly to the effects of nicotine so more is needed to get an effect. Most people who smoke become dependent and feel restless and anxious if they try to stop. Very few people find they can just have the occasional cigarette. They tend to either smoke a number a day or not smoke at all.

Regular, long term smoking greatly increases the risk of a number of serious diseases including lung and other cancers, heart diseases, bronchitis, bad circulation and ulcers. About 110,000 people die prematurely in the UK each year through smoking related diseases.

Women who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy tend to give birth to babies of smaller birth weight. Smoking whilst taking oral contraceptives ('the pill') increases the risk of heart and circulatory problems.

Recent research has also shown that smoking can damage non-smokers who inhale TOBACCO fumes. 'Passive' smoking has been claimed to cause several hundred deaths in the UK each year and to greatly increase the risk of asthma amongst children whose parents smoke.

(info courtesy Drugscope)