| Tobacco smoking is
the act of burning dried or cured leaves of the tobacco plant
and inhaling the smoke for pleasure, for ritualistic or social
purposes, self-medication, as well as to satisfy a physiological
dependence on nicotine. Tobacco use by Native Americans
throughout North and South America dates back to 2000BC and
there are depictions of ancient Mayans smoking a crude cigar.
The practice was brought back to Europe by the crew of
Christopher Columbus. Tobacco smoking took hold in Spain and was
introduced to the rest of the world, via trade. Tobacco is an
agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants
in the genus Nicotiana. Tobacco has been growing on the American
Continent since about 6000 BC and began being used by native
cultures at about 3000 BC. It has been smoked in one form or
another since about 2000 BC. There are pictoral drawings of
ancient Mayans smoking crude cigars from 1400 BC.
Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, an addictive stimulant and
euphoriant. The effect of nicotine in first time or irregular
users is an increase in alertness and memory, and mild euphoria.
Nicotine also disturbs metabolism and suppresses appetite. This
is because nicotine, like many stimulants, increases blood
sugar.
Medical research has determined that chronic tobacco smoking can
lead to many health problems, particularly lung cancer,
emphysema, and cardiovascular disease.
Methods
of smoking >>
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Tobacco smoking
Methods of smoking
Health effects
1.
Establishing a link between smoking and health effects
2. Health risks of smoking
2.1 Carcinogenicity
2.2 Effects on the heart
2.3 Smoker's attitudes
3. Passive smoking
4. Somatic and psychological effects
5. Mood and anxiety disorders
6. Health benefits of smoking
Effects of the habit and
industry on society
1. Effect on healthcare costs
2. Tobacco and other drugs
3. Advertising
4. Peer pressure
5. Parental smoking
6. Smoking in movies and television
7. The use of smoking to project an image
Religious views
on smoking Smoking cessation
Legal issues and
regulation
1. Age restrictions
2. Taxation
3. Restrictions on cigarette advertising
4. Package warnings
5. Smoking bans
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