Cigarettes and addiction

Cigarette smoke contains a strongly addictive drug called nicotine.

  • Nicotine is as addictive as Heroin and Cocaine, both are Class A drugs.
  • Nicotine starts to affect the brain within 10 seconds of inhaling cigarette smoke.

Nicotine is a drug, which enters the body via cigarette smoke.

When a smoker inhales cigarette smoke, nicotine triggers the release of dopamine, making them think they’re more relaxed (although actually they’re not because their heart is beating even faster). These feelings don’t last long and over time, a person needs to smoke more and more cigarettes to get these feelings back. It is this addiction to the nicotine in cigarettes that makes it so hard for smokers to quit.

Nicotine addiction develops very quickly in children. Children aged between 11 and 16 who smoke one or more cigarettes a week have similar levels of nicotine dependence as adults.

A person who stops smoking will experience withdrawal symptoms as their body adjusts to life without nicotine. These can include strong cravings, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, restlessness; disturbed sleep and decreased heart rate. However the longer-term health and lifestyle benefits far outweigh these short-term effects.

  • How addictive is nicotine? Very addictive. In fact, it is as addictive as heroin and cocaine, both are Class A drugs. Once you're hooked, it's very hard to quit.
  • Why is nicotine so addictive? Nicotine triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, making the smoker feel relaxed (though actually their heart is beating faster). Over time, a person needs to smoke more and more to get those feelings back.
  • Contact ReFresh This stop smoking service for young people in Hull provides free anonymous support. You are four times more likely to quit with professional help. T: 01482 331059 E: refresh@hullcc.gov.uk
  • Be well informed Research and look into the effects smoking has on all aspects of a persons life. It might just put you off for life if you know the harsh truth about smoking.
  • Resist peer pressure If you feel pressured by friends or family members, encourage them to learn more about the effects of smoking, or inform them yourself. It can be hard when people around you are smoking, but those same people will more than likely wish they never started themselves.
  • Myths Don't let people tell you myths about smoking, such as, 'smoking reduces stress'. If you become addicted to smoking, it will actually increase stress.
  • Contact ReFresh This stop smoking service for young people in Hull provides free anonymous support. You are four times more likely to quit with professional help. T: 01482 331059 E: refresh@hullcc.gov.uk
  • Keep focused Put your mind on other things you enjoy doing, such as being creative, sports, fitness etc.
  • Save money Keep a pot of money that you might of otherwise spent on cigarettes and see how much you save, you might be surprised!
  • Cravings & Triggers Avoid situations that make you want to smoke or trigger your cravings. Try and do something else to keep your mind occupied, such as drinking water, telling somebody about the feelings you're having, deep breathing or exercising.
  • Contact ReFresh This stop smoking service for young people in Hull provides free anonymous support. You are four times more likely to quit with professional help. T: 01482 331059 E: refresh@hullcc.gov.uk
  • Jar of Motivation Either write your own, or encourage people around you who want you to quit to write down motivational notes and put them all into a jar. When you feel an urge to go for a cigarette, take a note from the jar instead.
  • What is nicotine? Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that enters the body through inhaling cigarette smoke.
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