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Nicotine

  • Cigarette
  • Cig
  • Ciggy
  • Smoke
  • Cigars

Nicotine

What is it? A mild central nervous system stimulant.

Also called… Ciggy, cig, smoke.

What does it look like? Cigarettes, cigars, or loose tobacco for rolling.

How is it used? By inhalation (smoking), sometimes by chewing.

Someone might choose to smoke cigarettes or use nicotine to...

  • feel more alert and energized

  • stimulate their senses

  • reduce stress and/or fatigue

  • feel relaxed

However, nicotine can also…

  • increase your heart rate

  • cause restlessness, anxiety, or confusion

  • stain your teeth

  • cause diarrhea or headaches

  • affect your sense of taste and smell

  • leave you feeling short of breath or nauseous

  • cause bad breath

  • make it harder to sleep

  • cause dizziness

Tolerance (needing more nicotine to achieve the same effect) develops quickly, and nicotine addiction can be extremely difficult to overcome. Quitting nicotine can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as general discomfort, increased appetite, anxiety, constipation, anger, depression, intense cravings to smoke, dizziness, fatigue, high blood pressure, insomnia, irritability, headaches, nausea, nervousness, drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, sadness, tremors, and hormonal changes.

If you smoke cigarettes…

  • Make sure you buy them from a licensed retailer and avoid contraband cigarettes.