History of Tobacco and Its Health Impacts

History of Tobacco

• Originated in Central America, grown for 6000 years.
• Used as medicine by early Europeans.
• Seeds brought to Virginia; first African slaves supported production for British consumption.
• Used as currency in early Colonial times.
• Earliest evidence of toxicity published in early 1800s.
• Cigarettes first made from leftover chewing tobacco.

Key Developments

• 1881: Invention of rolling machine made tobacco accessible, turning a luxury into a staple.
• Common during WWI and WWII.
• Early 1900s: Anti-smoking campaigns began, with Nazi Germany linking smoking to lung cancer.
• 1960s: Surgeon General's warning appears on cigarette packaging.
• 1971: US government banned TV advertising for cigarettes.

Health Risks

• Tobacco contributes to 5 million deaths annually worldwide; the greatest risk is lung cancer.
• Number one preventable cause of death.
• Methylation from tobacco can alter DNA, leading to uncontrolled diseases.

Nicotine Effects

• Highly addictive; binds to nicotinic Acetylcholine receptors, increasing dopamine.
• Peripheral nervous system effects: Increased blood pressure, heart rate, gastrointestinal activity.
• Tolerance leads to cellular desensitization.

Withdrawal Symptoms

• Severe cravings, irritability, anxiety, poor concentration, impatience, increased appetite, weight gain, insomnia.

Prenatal and Postnatal Effects

• Tobacco passes to the fetus, causing addiction and low birth weight; increases risk of addiction in adulthood.
• Smoking bans and smoke-free environments critical for babies.

Secondhand Smoke

• Includes sidestream smoke from lit products and thirdhand smoke on surfaces, both harmful and carcinogenic.

Smoking Cessation

• 1300 Americans die daily from smoking-related causes; 70% want to quit, but only 5% succeed without help.
• Effective methods include counseling and medications, with nicotine replacement therapy options.

Vaping Overview

• Developed in China in 2010; fewer toxins than combustible tobacco.
• Marketing to youth raises concerns about conversion to traditional tobacco use.
• Regulatory issues exist regarding nicotine content.
• No risk from secondhand exposure, but possible pathway to nicotine dependence.