Changes

'''Tobacco''' is a plant that contains the [[drug]] nicotine, and products produced from the leaves of that plant for consumption by smoking or chewing. Its recreational qualities were discovered by [[native American]]s and passed on to Europeans after the establishment of [[Jamestown, Virginia|the first permanent English settlement]] in 1607. Tobacco is smoked for a euphoric high that relaxes the individual and provides a calming, social atmosphere. However, studies have shown that tobacco causes many types of respiratory diseases such as [[lung cancer]] and [[emphysema]]. Nicotine is also an addictive substance that is the topic of a large number of debates

'''Tobacco''' is a plant that contains the [[drug]] nicotine, and products produced from the leaves of that plant for consumption by smoking or chewing. Its recreational qualities were discovered by [[native American]]s and passed on to Europeans after the establishment of [[Jamestown, Virginia|the first permanent English settlement]] in 1607. Tobacco is smoked for a euphoric high that relaxes the individual and provides a calming, social atmosphere. However, studies have shown that tobacco causes many types of respiratory diseases such as [[lung cancer]] and [[emphysema]]. Nicotine is also an addictive substance that is the subject of controversy.

== History ==

== History ==

The Native Americans were the first to use tobacco because tobacco only grew in the Americas. Tobacco when consumed in large quantities is a hallucinogen, therefore the Native Americans did not use it recreationally but instead used it as a hallucinogen during religious ceremonies. Tobacco was exported by [[John Rolfe]], (husband of [[Pocahontas]]).  It became known as a [[cash crop]]. The negative effects of tobacco such as [[lung cancer]], [[bronchitis]] and foul breath are widely accepted today.<ref>One of the first papers to recognize that smoking causes lung cancer was published in 1957.[http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/reprint/17/10/981.pdf]</ref> Tobacco companies have genetically modified tobacco plants and added toxic [[chemical]]s to their products to make them more addictive, thus making the modern cigarette much more toxic than the original cultivated plant.

The Native Americans were the first to use tobacco because the plant was native to the Americas. Tobacco when consumed in large quantities is a hallucinogen; therefore the Native Americans did not use it recreationally but instead used it as a hallucinogen during religious ceremonies. Tobacco was exported by [[John Rolfe]], (husband of [[Pocahontas]]).  It became known as a [[cash crop]]. The negative effects of tobacco such as [[lung cancer]], [[bronchitis]] and foul odor are widely accepted today.<ref>One of the first papers to recognize that smoking causes lung cancer was published in 1957.[http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/cgi/reprint/17/10/981.pdf]</ref> Tobacco companies have genetically modified tobacco plants and added toxic [[chemical]]s to their products to make them more addictive, thus making the modern cigarette much more toxic than the original cultivated plant.

== Nicotine ==

== Nicotine ==

Medications containing nicotine are also used to help smokers who are trying to quit.  These are referred to as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).  The idea behind NRT is that it allows smokers to break the behavioral component of their smoking habit (e.g., becoming used to not smoking while driving) while gradually reducing the amount of nicotine in their bloodstream, thus minimizing the effects of physiological nicotine withdrawal.  Several different forms of NRT are available, including a transdermal patch, chewing gum, and nasal spray.  Nicotine has also been found to be a useful treatment for certain physical conditions, though the mechanisms are not well understood.  Smoking has been associated with a lower risk of Kaposi's sarcoma<ref>http://dceg.cancer.gov/pdfs/goedert942002.pdf</ref>.  Nicotine also appears to have therapeutic benefit for individuals with ulcerative colitis and one form of epilepsy.   

Medications containing nicotine are also used to help smokers who are trying to quit.  These are referred to as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).  The idea behind NRT is that it allows smokers to break the behavioral component of their smoking habit (e.g., becoming used to not smoking while driving) while gradually reducing the amount of nicotine in their bloodstream, thus minimizing the effects of physiological nicotine withdrawal.  Several different forms of NRT are available, including a transdermal patch, chewing gum, and nasal spray.  Nicotine has also been found to be a useful treatment for certain physical conditions, though the mechanisms are not well understood.  Smoking has been associated with a lower risk of Kaposi's sarcoma<ref>http://dceg.cancer.gov/pdfs/goedert942002.pdf</ref>.  Nicotine also appears to have therapeutic benefit for individuals with ulcerative colitis and one form of epilepsy.   

Nicotine has been shown in some medical studies to be more addictive than cocaine and even heroin. Tobacco often occurs along with cocaine use because the nicotine in tobacco greatly enhances the euphoria one receives from cocaine.  

Nicotine has been shown in some medical studies to be more addictive than cocaine and even heroin. Tobacco is often used along with cocaine because the nicotine in tobacco greatly enhances the euphoria one receives from cocaine.  

[[Image:Nicotine.gif]]

[[Image:Nicotine.gif]]

'''Cigarettes.'''  Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product.  Approximately one of every five [[American]] adults is a current smoker<ref>Centers for Disease Control (2005).  Cigarette smoking among adults - United States, 2004.  ''Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 54''', 1121-1124</ref>, and about 438,000 Americans die annually due to the effects of smoking; about 38,000 of these deaths are attributed to secondhand smoke<ref>Centers for Disease Control (2005).  Annual smoking-attributable mortality, years of potential life lost, and productivity losses - United States, 1997-2001.  ''Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 54'', 300-303.</ref>.  While the prevalence of smoking has dropped dramatically in the past 50 years, the rate at which the prevalence is decreasing has slowed substantially<ref>Hughes, J. R., & Brandon, T. H. (2003).  A softer view of hardening.  ''Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 5'', 961-962.</ref>  Additionally, the rate of smoking in adolescents and young adults has been increasing since the mid-1990s<ref>Wechsler, H., Rigotti, N., Gledhill-Hoyt, J., & Lee, H. (1998).  Increased levels of cigarette use among college students: A cause for national concern.  ''Journal of the American Medical Association, 280'', 1673-1678.</ref>.  There are nearly 5,000 different chemicals in cigarette smoke, including over 60 [[carcinogens]]<ref>Hecht, S. (2006).  Cigarette smoking:  Cancer risks, carcinogens, and mechanisms.  ''Archives of Surgery, 391'', 603-613</ref>.   

'''Cigarettes.'''  Cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product.  Approximately one of every five [[American]] adults is a current smoker<ref>Centers for Disease Control (2005).  Cigarette smoking among adults - United States, 2004.  ''Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 54''', 1121-1124</ref>, and about 438,000 Americans die annually due to the effects of smoking; about 38,000 of these deaths are attributed to secondhand smoke<ref>Centers for Disease Control (2005).  Annual smoking-attributable mortality, years of potential life lost, and productivity losses - United States, 1997-2001.  ''Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 54'', 300-303.</ref>.  While the prevalence of smoking has dropped dramatically in the past 50 years, the rate at which the prevalence is decreasing has slowed substantially<ref>Hughes, J. R., & Brandon, T. H. (2003).  A softer view of hardening.  ''Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 5'', 961-962.</ref>  Additionally, the rate of smoking in adolescents and young adults has been increasing since the mid-1990s<ref>Wechsler, H., Rigotti, N., Gledhill-Hoyt, J., & Lee, H. (1998).  Increased levels of cigarette use among college students: A cause for national concern.  ''Journal of the American Medical Association, 280'', 1673-1678.</ref>.  There are nearly 5,000 different chemicals in cigarette smoke, including over 60 [[carcinogens]]<ref>Hecht, S. (2006).  Cigarette smoking:  Cancer risks, carcinogens, and mechanisms.  ''Archives of Surgery, 391'', 603-613</ref>.   

'''Cigars.''' Cigars are larger versions of cigarettes, the tobacco leaves are less finely cut and do not undergo as much post-harvest processing or curing. They are rarely (if ever) filtered, and most users do not inhale as deeply as for cigarettes. Cigars are somewhat more socially acceptable to many people, often being reserved for certain special occasions. They are certainly not without health hazards - and share many in common with other tobacco products - but as a consequence of the different method of use, cigar users are relatively more prone to oral cancers.

'''Cigars.''' Cigars are larger versions of cigarettes.  The tobacco leaves are less finely cut and do not undergo as much post-harvest processing or curing. They are rarely (if ever) filtered, and most users do not inhale as deeply as they do cigarettes. Cigars are somewhat more socially acceptable to many people, often being reserved for special occasions. They are certainly not without health hazards - and share many in common with other tobacco products - but as a consequence of the different method of use, cigar users are relatively more prone to oral cancers than are cigarette users.

'''Smokeless tobacco (chewing or dipping tobacco)''' Smokeless tobacco (a form of snuff) is a less commonly used tobacco product, however, this market segment has not suffered as much as that for cigarettes. It is a safer (though not safe) alternative to cigarettes, and tobacco-cessation groups are divided on whether it should be promoted as such (though largely against). It is typically sold in small metal or plastic cans referred to colloquially as "tins", generally containing 1.1oz (34 grams) of chewing tobacco. It usually consists of moistened fermented tobacco with additional synthetic flavorings. The smokeless tobacco market has been involved in a several consolidations recently, with large (primarily cigarette) companies buying smaller manufacturers of smokeless tobacco. It is more like the cigarette market in that there are numerous brands with high visibility, common ones include Skoal (controlling about 30% of the U.S. domestic market), Copenhagen (both owned by the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company), as well as Grizzly and Kodiak (products of the Conwood Sales Company, a subsidiary of RJ Reynolds).

'''Smokeless tobacco (chewing or dipping tobacco)''' Smokeless tobacco (a form of snuff) is a less commonly used tobacco product, however, this market segment has not suffered as much as that for cigarettes. It is a safer (though not safe) alternative to cigarettes, and tobacco-cessation groups are divided on whether it should be promoted as such (though largely against). It is typically sold in small metal or plastic cans referred to colloquially as "tins", generally containing 1.1oz (34 grams) of chewing tobacco. It usually consists of moistened fermented tobacco with additional synthetic flavorings. The smokeless tobacco market has been involved in a several consolidations recently, with large (primarily cigarette) companies buying smaller manufacturers of smokeless tobacco. It is more like the cigarette market in that there are numerous brands with high visibility, common ones include Skoal (controlling about 30% of the U.S. domestic market), Copenhagen (both owned by the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company), as well as Grizzly and Kodiak (products of the Conwood Sales Company, a subsidiary of RJ Reynolds).