Tobacco and Vaping
What is tobacco?
Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum) is a native to tropical and subtropical America and now cultivated commercially across the globe. Tobacco has long been used traditionally, ceremonially, and medicinally by indigenous peoples. Commercially grown tobacco leaves are cured and mainly used for cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, and chewing tobacco.
Tobacco is typically smoked in cigarettes, cigars, pipes and spliffs (tobacco + cannabis). Tobacco can also be chewed as chewing tobacco, snuff, snus and dip. More recently, nicotine pouches are available on the market.
Nicotine is a naturally occurring stimulant found in tobacco plants, which is what gives tobacco products like cigarettes their “upper” properties. Nicotine is also a naturally occurring pesticide.
How many people use tobacco?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2022 49.2 million people in the U.S. are current tobacco users, which is about 1 out of every 5 adults.
What about E-cigs and vapes?
E-cigarettes, vapes, JUULs, Puff bars, etc. all work in just about the same way. They’re typically made up of 4 things:
- a cartridge/reservoir/pod which holds an e-liquid or “juice” containing varying amounts of nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals
- a heating element or atomizer
- a power source – usually a battery
- a mouthpiece
The use of E-cigarettes and vapes has become a lot more common in the past several years. Monitoring the Future, a nationally representative sample of 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students, found that nicotine vaping rates have more than doubled from 2017 to 2019.
Vaping rates have been decreasing amongst youth. University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future study found that while there was a spike in vaping amongst youth from 2017 to 2019, numbers are back down to 2017 levels (21% of 12th graders reporting vape use in the past 12 months).
What are the effects of tobacco use?
Short-term effects of tobacco/nicotine
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Reduced anxiety
- Light-headedness (especially for new users)
- Increased focus
- Decreased appetite
- Feelings of relaxation
Long-term effects of using tobacco/nicotine
Smoking is linked to many health issues. The harmful materials in cigarettes (like tar, carbon monoxide and acetone) put smokers at a higher risk of:
- Heart Disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Lung Cancer (and other types of cancer)
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Cataracts
- Infertility
Because the nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive, users may find it hard to quit. Withdrawal from nicotine can make someone feel anxious or irritable and can cause headaches and sleeping problems.
Why do people use tobacco?
People who use tobacco do so for many different reasons: to experience a sense of relaxation or stress relief, for pleasure, in social situations, or because they enjoy the ritual of smoking.
How do I recognize a problem with tobacco?
Some people can smoke occasionally without becoming addicted. An addiction to tobacco may look like:
- Not being able to stop, despite multiple attempts to quit.
- Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal (shaking hands, irritability, sleep problems) when you try to quit.
- Needing tobacco products to feel “normal” or using in times of stress.
- Feeling an urge to smoke or vape after a meal, movie or class (after long periods where you can’t use).
How do I help a friend who’s having trouble with smoking?
Ultimately, it is up to your friend to decide to quit smoking and that motivation will need to come from your friend, not you. The best thing you can do is be supportive of them and let them know that you are willing to help them find resources if/when they decide to quit. It is very normal for individuals kicking a habit to make multiple attempts at quitting before it sticks, so be patient and encourage them to try again if it doesn’t take the first time.
Smoking and vaping cessation
Perhaps you have reached the point that you are done with nicotine products. Congrats! That is a big step. There are resources out there to help you stick to your goals. Feel free to stop into SHOP to create a plan for how to quit. You can also check out the following resources:
- Cowell Student Health Center – They can assist you with planning to quit, assessing your health, and prescribing medications or cessation aids to assist with quitting.
- Kick It CA – Provides free coaching through the state of California to quit nicotine.
- Escape the Vape – This app can help you set goals and provide daily coaching to quit. It is also free!
- Smoke Free Vets – Are you a veteran? There are resources specifically for you through the VA to quit smoking or vaping.
Smoke-Free Policy
UC Santa Cruz is a smoke-free campus. This includes tobacco and marijuana.