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Nicotine Fact Sheet

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Nicotine Fact Sheet

What is Nicotine?

Nicotine is an addictive chemical found in tobacco plants¹

Forms

Smoke products

Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, bidis and kreteks (clove cigarettes), & hookahs or water pipes¹

Smokeless products

Chewing tobacco, snuff, dip, snus, dissolvable products (lozenges, orbs, sticks, and strips)¹

Vaping/electronic-cigarettes

E-cigarettes, e-cigs, electronic nicotine delivery systems, vaping devices, or JUULing¹

How Nicotine works

Nicotine works by increasing the levels of dopamine and producing a "feel-good" effect¹
When nicotine is consumed via smoking, it enters the bloodstream and then the brain²
When nicotine is consumed in a smokeless form, it enters the body through mucous membranes in the mouth and then enters the bloodstream and brain¹

Short term health effects

Addiction, bad breath, coughing, fatigue and decreased energy, faster breathing, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, reduced senses of taste and smell, shortness of breath^1,3

Long term health effects

Addiction, certain cancers (e.g., lung, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, & bladder), chronic bronchitis and emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), exacerbation of asthma symptoms, heart disease, heart attack, vascular disease, aneurysm, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, and impaired immune function²

Withdrawal

Symptoms

Strong urges or cravings
Feeling irritated, jumpy, or restless
Decreased concentration
Difficulty sleeping
Increased appetite
Weight gain
Feeling anxious, sad or depressed⁴

Given the symptoms of withdrawal, a person may need medical supervision to ensure their safety during the process.⁵

Addiction treatment

Therapeutic interventions: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), & Mindfulness²
Medications: Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), Bupropion, & Varenicline²

References

Acknowledgments

This fact sheet was developed by the Oregon State University Coast to Forest team, a collaboration of the College of Health, OSU Center for Health Innovation and OSU Extension Service Family & Community Health program. We would like to thank the H 310 Health Field Experience students for their contributions.

For more information and to explore local resources, check out the Coast to Forest County-Specific Resource Guides.