Lecture 10 - Smoking and Vaping

What is the trend in tobacco product use in the U.S. over the past 70 years?

There has been a significant decrease in tobacco product use.

What are some key factors contributing to the decrease in tobacco product use?

Surgeon General reports, public education, secondhand smoke issues, tobacco company settlements, taxation, alternative nicotine forms.

What is the primary purpose of electronic cigarettes?

They were originally developed as a smoking cessation aid.

What are the primary components of e-cigarette vapor?

Nicotine, flavorings, glycerin, and propylene glycol.

What is the half-life of nicotine elimination?

Approximately 2 hours.

What percentage of inhaled nicotine enters the bloodstream?

70-90%.

What is a major rapid effect of nicotine after inhalation?

Nicotine starts to reach the brain in less than 10 seconds.

Which metabolite is primarily formed from nicotine?

Cotinine.

How do some individuals metabolize nicotine differently?

Some have p450 variants that prolong nicotine half-life.

What are two cognitive effects of nicotine?

Cognitive enhancement and relief from anxiety.

What does nicotine bind to in the brain?

Nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs).

What happens to nAChRs after chronic nicotine use?

They rapidly desensitize, leading to chronic desensitization and nAChR up-regulation.

Name a common nicotine replacement therapy.

Nicotine gum, nicotine lozenge, or transdermal nicotine patch.

What is the function of varenicline (Chantix)?

It is a non-competitive partial agonist at a4b2 nAChRs that satisfies nicotine cravings.

What is a misinterpretation about varenicline?

That it is simply nicotine sold under a newer brand name (it's not).

What is pyrolis?

The formation of new chemicals by burning something, such as tobacco.