If you or anyone close to you smokes cigarettes, you are probably well aware that smoking is a habit, one that takes some effort to break. Through inhalation the chemical components of cigarettes are injected into your lungs, your bloodstream and then your brain. Learning some of the facts about tobacco may encourage you to break the habit in order to lead a healthier life.

Nicotine Is Habit Forming

Nicotine, one of the main chemical components of tobacco, is a habit-forming drug that draws the smoker into both a physical and a psychological partnership with cigarettes. Once he or she has learned the mechanics of smoking-and it definitely is an acquired technique taking conscious effort on the part of the novice smoker-the smoker may begin to rely on cigarettes for what he believes to be stimulation, relaxation or stress relief. The body becomes chemically addicted to nicotine and the more one smokes, the more difficult it is to quit.

More Chemicals

The average cigarette generally contains about 8.4 rniligrams of nicotine and 15 milligrams of tar. Tobacco smoke also contains as many as 4,000 other naturally occurring gases, particles, and compounds including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen cyanide, traces of arsenic, and carcinogens.

Other Sources Of Nicotine

Cigarettes are considered the most harmful form of tobacco use because cigarette smokers usually inhale deeply. But pipes and cigars hold risks of nicotine addiction as well. Chewing tobacco and snuff can also cause cancer, gum disease and erosion of the teeth.

Physical Effects

When inhaled, nicotine stimulates the central nervous system. All of the chemicals in a cigarette move to the brain through the bloodstream in eight seconds, causing a sharp rise in blood pressure and heart rate, constricting of the blood vessels, and reducing sensitivity to pain and stress. Chronic smokers often have impaired senses of taste and smell, less physical stamina, and a poorer execution of motor tasks. Smoking is among the major causes of heart disease and lung cancer and is the primary cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema. A smoker's skin ages and wrinkles prematurely and female smokers have a higher incidence of unsuccessful pregnancies, stillbirths. and lower-weight babies.

Companion Habits

As you become more physically addicted to tobacco, you will develop other habits that reinforce the role of cigarettes in your daily routine. You may not even realize this is happening. A cup of coffee may trigger a move  towards a cigarette. You  may light up before you  begin a phone conversation  Lighting up is often associated with  with common everyday activities, such as a cup of coffee, answering the phone, or driving or before starting your car.  These become similar to conditioned reflexes and show that the physical and the psychological go hand in hand in promoting and furthering addiction.