Week 3 - Tobacco Use, Dependence & Treatment

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to tobacco use, dependence, and treatment, focusing on health impacts, regulatory aspects, and addiction mechanisms.

Smoking

Ranks #1 in risk factor contributing to mortality in the U.S.

Mortality

Number of deaths caused by various risk factors, with smoking leading to 136,663 deaths in 2019.

Secondhand smoke

Smoke from the end of a burning cigarette and smoke exhaled by the smoker, causing 35,583 deaths annually.

Pack-Year History

A standardized measure of smoking exposure representing the number of packs smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked.

Nicotine

The primary psychoactive component in tobacco that causes addiction.

FDA Regulation

The FDA regulates various tobacco products including cigarettes and e-cigarettes.

Withdrawal symptoms

Physical and psychological symptoms experienced after quitting nicotine, including irritability and cravings.

Health Consequences of Smoking

Includes increased risks for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases.

Quitting benefits

Health improvements associated with quitting smoking, including reduced risk of heart disease and enhanced lung function.

Nicotine Addiction Cycle

The cycle of dependence characterized by fluctuating plasma nicotine concentrations leading to cravings.

Cigarettes

The dominant form of tobacco use in North America, characterized by rapid delivery of nicotine to the brain.

Environmental factors

Elements such as peer and familial influence that increase the likelihood of tobacco use.

Co-occurring conditions

Common mental health issues among smokers, making cessation more challenging.