nicotine addiction

New age nicotine products like vapes and pouches are gaining popularity among youth, marketed as safer alternatives. However, experts warn of significant nicotine addiction risks, especially for developing brains. Concerns also exist regarding potential lung and cardiovascular damage from e-cigarette aerosols and the discreet, appealing nature of pouches, which can normalize nicotine use and lead to dependence.

World No Tobacco Day highlights the silent, slow progression of tobacco-related diseases, often missed due to painless early signs. Experts emphasize that many cancers are preventable and urge a broader conversation beyond cigarettes to include all forms of tobacco and nicotine use, stressing that breaking dependence is key to health.

Social smoking, often dismissed as harmless, poses significant health risks. Even occasional cigarette use damages the heart and blood vessels immediately, increasing the likelihood of serious conditions. Nicotine's addictive nature means social smoking can quickly escalate into a habit, impacting lungs and overall well-being. Experts emphasize there's no safe level of smoking.

Kicking off on May 26 and running until June 26, Jharkhand's health department is spearheading a proactive campaign to tackle tobacco and nicotine dependence. In line with World No Tobacco Day, this initiative—'Unmasking the Appeal: Counteracting nicotine addiction'—aims to enlighten the public, with a strong focus on youth, about the dangers associated with tobacco use and promote cessation.

Young adults emerge as the largest group seeking help to quit tobacco

Smokeless tobacco, a cheap and accessible addiction, traps millions of Indians in poverty. Despite graphic warnings, products like gutka remain under-regulated, costing mere rupees. This article highlights the urgent need for stricter policies on affordability, availability, and appeal to combat this pervasive public health crisis.

Vaping no longer a fad; a growing public health crisis

Smoking silently harms fertility in men and women, affecting sperm and egg quality, and increasing miscarriage risks. This often goes unnoticed until couples face conception challenges. Even passive smoke poses risks. For women on birth control, smoking elevates serious health dangers. Quitting smoking, supported by exercise and medical guidance, offers a path to improved reproductive health.

New research reveals herbal cigarettes are not a safer alternative to tobacco. Burning any plant, including herbs like basil and mint, produces harmful pollutants and toxic gases comparable to or worse than traditional cigarettes. These emissions can damage lungs and cardiovascular health, debunking the 'natural' and 'chemical-free' marketing claims.

City doctors in Guwahati are raising alarms about the growing health risks of vaping among youth, fueled by the illegal but increasing use of e-cigarettes and hookah. Despite awareness campaigns and bans, online procurement makes enforcement challenging, with many young users believing vaping is a safer alternative, a notion doctors refute due to its harmful and potentially carcinogenic effects.

Docs see patients reporting irritability and loss of drive. The answer may lie in dopamine, the brain’s reward system

Allegations of Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag vaping in a dressing room highlight the growing, illegal use of e-cigarettes and hookah in Odisha. Despite a 2019 ban, easy availability through informal channels, poor enforcement, and low awareness, especially among youth, persist. Experts warn of serious health risks, urging stronger messaging and stricter inspections.

The UK Parliament has passed a landmark bill to create the first smoke-free generation by prohibiting cigarette sales to anyone born after December 31, 2008. This legislation, awaiting royal assent, also grants the government enhanced powers to regulate tobacco and vaping products, aiming to significantly reduce smoking-related deaths and protect future generations from addiction.

India's top drug advisory body recommends restricting over-the-counter access to most nicotine replacement therapies, sparking concerns that it will hinder smokers' efforts to quit. While tobacco products remain widely available, this move could create more hurdles for those seeking quitting aids, potentially impacting public health initiatives.

The UK is implementing a groundbreaking law to effectively ban smoking for future generations by progressively raising the legal age to buy tobacco. This phased approach aims to significantly reduce smoking-related deaths and healthcare costs without impacting current smokers. New vaping regulations are also introduced to protect young people, marking a historic step in public health.