Separating fact from fiction.
Nicotine is a naturally occurring chemical compound. Tobacco plants contain the highest levels of nicotine; however, it is also found in other plants such as tomatoes, potatoes and aubergines, albeit at much lower concentrations. Nicotine can also be produced in a laboratory, which is typically known as synthetic nicotine.
Nicotine contributes to the overall product experience, yet it is not the sole determinant of product satisfaction. Every adult consumer is unique, with individual behaviors and preferences; product satisfaction reflects this individuality. Using tobacco and nicotine-containing products is a complex, dynamic and deeply individual behavior, multifactorial in nature: many adults do so for several reasons other than nicotine, including the sensory, social, tactile, and ritualistic aspects, reasons that may also evolve over time depending on individual circumstances and contexts.
It is essential to recognize that, for many adults who use tobacco or other nicotine-containing products (whether smoked, heated or otherwise), delivering satisfying levels of nicotine is just one of several important product characteristics, in addition to rituals linked to product use, sensory elements associated with specific products, and environmental considerations wherever such products are used, including socializing with other adults users.
Nicotine can enter the body through different routes depending on the intended product use, for instance by inhalation, orally, or via skin absorption. The route of delivery impacts the speed at which nicotine reaches the body’s tissues, including the brain. Nicotine mimics one of the body’s natural chemical messengers, acetylcholine, which cells use to communicate with each other.
Once nicotine has entered the bloodstream, nicotine exerts its effects by binding to specific structures (nicotinic acetylcholine receptors) on the surface of the cells throughout the body’s central and peripheral nervous system. Nicotine is generally considered to be a stimulant, however, depending on the adult consumer and context of use, it may also have relaxant effects. By mimicking the actions of acetylcholine, nicotine’s interaction with the receptors in the brain causes the release or changes in the levels of other chemical messengers (designated as neurotransmitters) including dopamine, glutamate and serotonin amongst others, which contribute to various psychopharmacological effects. These neurotransmitters play an important role in inducing pleasure, enhancing mood, alertness, attention and reducing stress.
Approximately half of the nicotine in the blood is metabolized and eliminated within 2 hours. Complete elimination typically occurs within a maximum of three days, though this varies based on individual factors such as metabolic rate, liver enzyme activity, and frequency or intensity of use.
No.
Nicotine does not cause cancer, including lung cancer. The scientific consensus and evidence indicate that nicotine is not a carcinogen in humans. Moreover, nicotine exposure in consumers who have no underlying cardiovascular diseases does not increase their cardiovascular risk. Additionally, there is no scientific evidence indicating that nicotine can lead to the development of respiratory diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The risk of developing smoking-related diseases results from the repeated and long-term exposure to the numerous and high levels of harmful chemicals primarily created during the burning of tobacco and inhaled in the smoke generated. Tobacco smoke contains over seven thousand chemicals, including nicotine. While around one hundred of these have been classified as causes or potential causes of smoking-related disease, nicotine is not one of them.
Most notably, nicotine is an addictive chemical as its use can in some individuals lead to tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability, and cravings when blood nicotine levels decline. While some individuals experience difficulty when trying to quit, it is important to acknowledge that adult consumers can and do successfully stop using tobacco or nicotine-containing products.
Studies in animals suggest that nicotine exposure in adolescence can negatively affect development during this critical period. Nicotine should therefore only be used by informed adults of legal age. Accordingly, individuals under the legal age should not use any tobacco or nicotine-containing product. Moreover, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use nicotine, as its use during these periods may pose risks to fetal and infant development, according to public health authorities.
Like many substances, nicotine can be poisonous or toxic at high doses, although not at the levels typically obtained by using our commercially available tobacco and nicotine-containing products. Similar to substances that exert mild stimulating effects, nicotine can produce a broad range of short-term and transient physiological effects, including increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and dizziness.
Aside from the risk of addiction, a number of public health bodies and current science indicate that nicotine per se presents little risk to healthy adults, at levels typically obtained in legally available tobacco and nicotine-containing products.