Tobacco

I. History

  1. nicotine named after French ambassador

  2. smoking primary means of administration

  3. snuffing (sniffing)

  4. tobacco chewing: considered patriotic & American

II. Routes of administration of nicotine

  1. oral administration

  2. nose

  3. lungs

    A. cigarette has 8-9mg nicotine but only 1mg absorbed

    B. depends on depth of inhalation

  4. mouth

  5. skin

III. Distribution & excretion

  1. found in urine, sweat, saliva, & milk

  2. ½ life 30 minutes

IV. Effects

  1. most effect by influencing acetylcholine

  2. muscle tremors

  3. blood vessel constriction in skin

  4. laxative effect

  5. nausea

  6. effects on mood

    A. relaxation is reported

  7. effects on performance

    A. enhance performance in monotonous tasks

    B. driving

    C. memory

V. Tolerance:

  1. tolerance for nausea

VI. Withdrawal: irritable, weight gain, sleep problems, craving

  1. most symptoms gone in 1 month (except craving)

  2. may have to smoke 15 daily

  3. substitution may help, even denicotinized cigarette

VII. Self Administration

  1. high doses cause hallucinations

  2. tobacco chippers

  3. most common after meal

  4. are certain people more likely to smoke?

VIII. Why do people use tobacco

  1. social reasons at first

  2. for reward & to avoid withdrawal

IX. Harmful effects

  1. heart disease

  2. lung disease

  3. cancer

  4. reproduction

  5. environmental tobacco smoke

X. Toxic & lethal dose

  1. 40-60 mg is toxic (60mg has killed people)

XI. Possible benefits

XII. Treatments

  1. behavior therapy

  2. substitution: may not block all withdrawal

 

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