Substance
Tobacco smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burning tobacco leaves. The substance is primarily used in the form of cigarettes, but it can also be used in other forms, such as pipes, cigars, and hookahs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022), tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death globally, responsible for an estimated 7 million deaths yearly. It is a major risk factor for many diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease.
Street Names
Tobacco smoking is also known by several alternative or “street names,” such as cigarettes, cigs, smokes, butt, and sticks. However, these are not specific to this substance and are commonly used to refer to any form of smoking tobacco. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA, 2022), some people may refer to smoking tobacco as “joints” or “blunts” when they are rolled with other substances, such as marijuana.
Purpose
Tobacco smoking is primarily used for recreational purposes but can also be used for other reasons. People use tobacco smoking for various reasons, such as to relieve stress, to improve mood, to socialize, and as a form of self-medication for conditions such as anxiety and depression (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2019). Additionally, some people use tobacco smoking as a form of weight control, as it can suppress appetite. However, tobacco is legal to use in most countries, but it is illegal to sell tobacco products to minors, and smoking is prohibited in some public places. Illegally, people might use tobacco in other forms, like rolling it with other illicit substances like marijuana; this is referred to as a blunt and is illegal in most countries.
Health Effects
Tobacco smoking has a wide range of systemic and oral health effects. Smoking is a major risk factor for many diseases, including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). It can also cause several other cancers, including those of the larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, bladder, pancreas, and lungs. Smoking also harms nearly every organ in the body, including the heart, blood vessels, lungs, eyes, mouth, reproductive organs, bones, bladder, and digestive system (Eysenck, 2018). It can also cause reproductive health problems, such as infertility and impotence.
Smoking can cause serious oral health problems such as bad breath, yellow teeth, and tooth loss. It also increases the risk of oral cancer and periodontal disease. Moreover, smoking can cause dry mouth, leading to tooth decay and gum disease (World Health Organization [WHO], 2022). Additionally, smoking is a major cause of oral cancer and is responsible for about three-quarters of all deaths from the disease.
Most Prevalent Groups
The use of tobacco for smoking is most prevalent among certain groups of people, including adults and young adults. Studies by World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) show that about 80% of the world’s 1.1 billion smokers live in low- and middle-income countries. In the United States, tobacco smoking is most prevalent among adults aged 25-44, and it is more common among men than women (Eysenck, 2018). Additionally, research by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022) reveals that certain racial and ethnic groups in the United States have higher smoking rates than others. For example, American Indian/Alaska Natives and non-Hispanic whites have higher smoking rates than other racial and ethnic groups.
Resources Available to Aid Users to Quit
There are several resources available to aid users in quitting smoking. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as gum, lozenges, patches, sprays, and inhalers can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2019). Medications such as bupropion and varenicline can help quit smoking (Eysenck, 2018). Many counseling and support programs can help people quit smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2021), telephone quitlines, group counseling, and individual counseling can all be effective in helping smokers quit.
References
American Cancer Society. (2019). Cancer research insights from the latest decade, 2010 to 2020. Web.
Centre of Diseases Control and Prevention. (2021). How to quit. Web.
Centre of Diseases Control and Prevention. (2022). Current cigarette smoking among adults in the United States. Web.
Eysenck, H. J. (2018). Smoking, health & personality. Routledge.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Tobacco, nicotine, and E-cigarettes research report. Web.
World Health Organization. (2022). Tobacco. Web.