Tobacco is said to have over 4000 chemicals, which vary from the different forms that tobacco is administered into the body. For instance, if one smokes cigarettes 92% gaseous substances and 8% wet particulars while one who chews tobacco does not consume tar or carbon monoxide.

The following are some to the contents of tobacco.

1. Nicotine: This is the most addictive substance in tobacco. It is both a stimulant and sedative to the central Nervous system and changes cardiovascular, neural, endocrine and skeletal muscle functions.
2. Tar
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Nitrogen dioxide
5. Ammonia

Effects of nicotine

• Increases heart rate and blood pressure hence restricts blood flow
• Every puff deposits 100% concentrated nicotine in the brain in 8 seconds
• Cigarette smoking is associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, ulcers and an increased incidence of respiratory infections
• It encourages formation of blood clot in the vessels impending blood flow (thrombosis)
• Nicotine worsens heart disease
• In the cardiovascular system, nicotine increases heart rate and blood pressure and restricts blood flow to the heart muscle. The drug stimulates the release of the hormone epinephrine, which further stimulates the nervous system and is responsible for part of the “kick” from nicotine. It also promotes the hormone beta-endorphin, which inhibits pain.
• When a person inhales cigarette smoke, the nicotine in the smoke is rapidly absorbed into the blood and starts affecting the brain within 7 seconds. In the brain, nicotine activates the same reward system, as do other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or amphetamine, although to a lesser degree. Nicotine’s action on this reward system is believed to be responsible for drug-induced feelings of pressure and, over time, addiction. Nicotine also has the effect of increasing alertness and enhancing mental performance.
• Nicotine taken in by smoke takes seconds to reach the brain where it acts as a psychomotor stimulant. It increases alertness, concentration and also makes one less hungry. ‘Nicotine high’ lasts up to 30 minutes if the nicotine is ingested by smoke. When chewed, nicotine is readily absorbed in the body. Its levels accumulate during the day and persist overnight. The abuser is therefore exposed to the nicotine all day.
• Cigarette smoking is associated with coronary heart disease, stroke, ulcers, and an increased incidence of respiratory infections. Ingestion of nicotine results in an almost ‘high’. This is because nicotine is directly absorbed into the blood stream and causes the discharge of the hormone epinephrine from the adrenal cortex. This results in the stimulation of the CNS and other endocrine glands, which, causes a sudden release of glucose leading to stimulation.
• Stimulation resulting from ’nicotine high’ is followed by depression and fatigue when nicotine levels in the blood decrease. The abuser is therefore compelled to take more nicotine so as to return the body functions to ‘normal’. This is a physical addiction experienced by abusers. Nicotine also causes psychological addiction. This is where the abuser feels compelled to take in tobacco even though there are no withdrawal symptoms he is experiencing.
• Stress and anxiety affect nicotine affect nicotine tolerance and dependence. The stress hormone corticostrone reduces the effects of nicotine. More levels of nicotine are therefore required/desired to achieve the desires effects. This results in increase in nicotine tolerance and dependence.

Effects of tar

• Tar has 50 known carcinogens that activate dormant cancer causing cells
• Causes chronic bronchitis and other chest problems
• Increases chance of getting tuberculosis
• Darkens lips, fingertips and teeth
• Coats the tongue and taste buds and leads to loss of appetite
• Causes coronary heart disease

Effects of carbon monoxide

• Shortness of breath thus can cause death especially to athletes
• Induces spontaneous miscarriages, still births, babies of low birth weight and deformities of fetus
• Causes cot deaths due to its suffocative qualities
• Encourages thrombosis

Effect of nitrogen dioxide

• Causes emphysema (progressive thinning of the lung tissue that leads to the rupture of the alveoli
• Lowers immunity system increasing susceptibility to diseases
• Causes sore throat
• Causes bad smell

Effects of ammonia

• Is a toxic gas that causes bad smell