From the Guidelines
Both nicotine and the combustion of tobacco are harmful to health, but the combustion of tobacco is the primary cause of most smoking-related cancers, lung diseases, and other serious health conditions. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1, nicotine is the main addictive substance in tobacco products that keeps individuals using tobacco and continuing their risk for suffering tobacco-related harms. Nicotine poses risks to the cardiovascular system, including causing an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart, and a narrowing of the arteries. However, it's the combustion of tobacco that produces thousands of chemicals, including at least 70 known carcinogens, which are responsible for most smoking-related cancers, lung diseases, and other serious health conditions.
Key Points to Consider
- Nicotine is addictive and can cause cardiovascular problems, but it's not the primary cause of cancer and respiratory diseases associated with smoking 1.
- The combustion of tobacco is the primary cause of most smoking-related cancers, lung diseases, and other serious health conditions.
- Alternative nicotine delivery methods like patches or gums are less harmful than smoking because they eliminate the combustion process, but they still contain the addictive substance and can harm developing brains and contribute to cardiovascular disease.
- The safest approach is to avoid both nicotine and tobacco products entirely, but for those who smoke, switching to non-combustible nicotine products can significantly reduce health risks while addressing addiction.
Implications for Health
The study highlights the importance of understanding the impacts of nicotine on cardiovascular health and nicotine delivery products on children and youth 1. This knowledge can inform further treatment and regulatory approaches to nicotine, ultimately reducing the risks associated with tobacco use. Avoiding both nicotine and tobacco products entirely is the safest approach, but for those who smoke, switching to non-combustible nicotine products can significantly reduce health risks.
From the FDA Drug Label
Stop use and ask a doctor if mouth, teeth, or jaw problems occur irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur you get symptoms of nicotine overdose such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, weakness, and rapid heartbeat you have symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing or rash)
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Harmful Effects of Tobacco
- Tobacco use is a major public health concern and the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide 2
- The devastating link between tobacco products and human cancers results from a combination of nicotine and carcinogens, with nicotine being addictive and toxic but not carcinogenic 3
- Tobacco smoke contains a wide range of toxic vapors and particles that are injurious to both the smoker and those around them, including carcinogens and other harmful substances 4
Role of Nicotine
- Nicotine is addictive and toxic, but it is not carcinogenic 3, 5
- Nicotine exposure has been linked to cardiovascular risk, but the literature suggests that there is no increased cardiovascular risk in consumers who have no underlying cardiovascular pathology 5
- Nicotine has been hypothesized to play a role in disease pathogenesis, particularly in cancer propagation and metastasis, but more research is needed to determine its exact role 5
Combustion of Tobacco
- The combustion of tobacco releases a wide range of toxic substances, including carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and thiocyanate, which can cause detrimental effects on the body 6
- The definition of smoking should include the inhalation of the smoke of burned tobacco, as well as the physical addiction to chemicals like nicotine, and the socio-economic and epidemiologic implications that arise from smoking 6
- The combustion of tobacco is a major contributor to the harmful effects of tobacco, and reducing or eliminating combustion can help to reduce the risks associated with tobacco use 4, 6