Published On: Tue, Sep 14th, 2010



What’s Really

Up In Smoke?

Nathan Batalion, Global Health Activist, Healingtalks Editor

(Healingtalks) There have been many illusions and deceptions promoted by the tobacco industry.  Once upon a time my dad used to sell cigarettes in his grocery store. Both my parents smoked and we had little idea of how harmful this really was. The Marlboro Man looked very sexy and that lady on the Virginia Slims packaging. It took us time to learn the real story, past all the deceptions. Thanks goes here to our primary source of information from the Q & A’s of the local  NY State Quit site

Q. Does nicotine cause cancer?

A: NO, Tar in cigarette smoke causes cancer. But nicotine is an addictive drug. It is NOT the nicotine
in cigarette smoke that causes cancer. Nicotine may keep you smoking,
but it is the other bad chemicals in cigarettes that make smoking so dangerous.

Q: If nicotine does not cause cancer, what does?

A: The tar and chemicals in the cigarette smoke vapor cause cancer,
not the nicotine.

Q: Why don’t the cigarette companies just take the tar out of the tobacco?

A: Tar provides most of the  cigarette flavor. Less tar, less flavor!

Tar from a year’s worth of cigarettes

Q: Why don’t the cigarette companies just take the nicotine out of the tobacco?

A: You’d stop smoking and they wouldn’t get your money!

Q: Isn’t it better to switch to a low tar, low nicotine cigarettes?

A: No, even though it they may feel better on your chest, chances are you will puff harder and smoke more of each cigarette to get the nicotine.

Q: I have a hard time quitting smoking. Is there a safer way to get nicotine?

A: Yes, you can get clean nicotine in a nicotine patch, gum, Nasal spray, lozenge, or inhaler; these products don’t have tar.

In a 1994 Hearing before the Subcommittee on Health and the Environment, tobacco company executives swore that nicotine is not addictive. They lied.


Q: Won’t I get hooked on nicotine in the patch, gum, nasal spray, lozenge, or inhaler?

A: Most people find it easy to get off nicotine medicines after a few months. Cigarettes get you addicted by delivering nicotine quickly to your brain. Nicotine in smoke enters your lungs as a vapor and reaches your brain in 7 to 10 seconds. That is why most smokers feel satisfied after one or two drags on a cigarette. Products like the nicotine patch, gum, nasal spray, lozenge, or inhaler deliver nicotine slowly. Nicotine gets absorbed through the skin or through the lining of the nose or mouth.

Q: Does nicotine replacement really work, or is it just another way to get money out of smokers?

A: Nothing will work unless you want it to. Nicotine medications can help by dulling your cravings for a cigarette and are proven to increase your chances of quitting smoking.


What’s up in smoke, what’s in a cigarette, nicotine and tar, nicotine addiction


About the Author


Displaying 1 Comments
Have Your Say

Leave a comment


Free Newsletter