Tobacco

Tobacco is a plant whose scientific name is Nicotiana tobacco, which is extracted from a substance called nicotine. Its use came about in 1000 BC, the indigenous peoples of Central America, magical-religious rituals with the aim of purifying, address, protect and strengthen the impulses warriors, and believe that it had the power to predict the future. The plant probably arrived in Brazil by the migration of the Tupi-Guarani tribes. From the sixteenth century, its use was introduced in Europe by Jean Nicot, French diplomat came from Portugal, after you have healed a sore leg, so far incurable.

At first, used with curative purposes, through the pipe, spread rapidly, reaching Asia and Africa in the seventeenth century. In the following century came the fashion aspire snuff, which were attributed medicinal qualities, as the queen of France, Catherine de Medicis, used it to relieve their migraines.

In the nineteenth century began cigar use by Spain reaching across Europe, United States of America and other continents, being used for demonstration of ostentation. Around 1840 to 1850, the first two descriptions of men and women smoking cigarettes, but only after the First World War (1914 to 1918) had a consumption boom.

Its use spread throughout the world from the mid-twentieth century, with the help of advanced advertising and marketing, which developed at this time.

From the 60's, were the first scientific reports related to cigarette smoking and illness of today there are numerous studies proving the dangers of smoking to the health of smokers and non-smokers exposed to cigarette smoke. Today tobacco is grown in all parts of the world and is responsible for an activity involving millions of dollars. Despite the evils that caused by smoking, nicotine is one of the most abused drugs in the world.

Effects on the brain:
When the smoker takes a drag, nicotine is absorbed through the lungs, reaching the brain usually in 9 seconds. The main effects of nicotine in the central nervous system are: slight elevation in mood (stimulation) and decreased appetite. Nicotine is considered a mild stimulant, although a large number of smokers report that they feel relaxed when they smoke. This feeling of relaxation is caused by decreased muscle tone. This substance, when used over time can cause the development of tolerance, ie, one tends to consume an increasing number of cigarettes to feel the same effects that were originally produced by lower doses. Some smokers, when suddenly suspend the consumption of cigarettes, they may feel craving (uncontrollable desire for cigarettes), irritability, restlessness, constipation, difficulty concentrating, diuresis, dizziness, insomnia and headache. These symptoms characterize the withdrawal syndrome, disappearing within a week or two. Tolerance and withdrawal syndrome are some of the signs that characterize the condition of dependence caused by tobacco use.

Effects on the body:
Nicotine produces a small increase in heart rate, blood pressure, heart and respiratory motor activity. When a person smokes a cigarette, nicotine is immediately distributed to the tissues. In the digestive system causes a reduction of the contraction of the stomach, making digestion. There is an increase of vasoconstriction and the strength of heart contractions.

Toxicity:
Cigarette smoke contains a large number of toxic substances to the body. Among the major quoted nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar. The intense and constant use of cigarettes increases the likelihood of some diseases such as pneumonia, cancer (lung, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, mouth, stomach, etc.), myocardial infarction, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, stroke ; digestive ulcer, etc.. Among other toxic effects caused by nicotine, we also highlight nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, bradycardia and weakness.

Tobacco and pregnancy:
When the mother smokes during pregnancy, "the fetus also smoke, receiving toxic substances from the cigarette through the placenta. Nicotine causes increased heart rate in the fetus, reducing the weight of the newborn, short stature, and major neurological disorders. The risk of spontaneous abortion, among other complications during pregnancy is higher in women who smoke. During breastfeeding, the toxic substances of cigarette are transmitted to the baby also through breast milk.

Passive smoking:
Smokers are not the only ones exposed to cigarette smoke for non-smokers are also attacked by it, becoming passive smokers.
Pollutants cigarette disperse the environment, causing the non-smoking near or far from smokers also inhale toxic substances.
Studies show that children whose parents smoke have a 3 times higher incidence of respiratory infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis) than children of non-smoking.

General:
Cigarette smoking is widespread in the population. The association of smoking with images of successful people, young athletes is a constant in the media. This type of advertising is one of the main factors that encourage the use of cigarettes. Moreover, programs for tobacco control, are receiving an increasing emphasis in many countries, gaining much of the population.