Cigarettes, despite their scientifically proven addictive and harmful nature, remain legal for substance abuse worldwide. The global tobacco epidemic affects over one billion individuals, resulting in approximately 3.5 million deaths annually or about 10,000 deaths per day. In the United States alone, around 50,000 adults die each year due to secondhand smoke. While a complete ban on tobacco is not feasible due to withdrawal challenges and enforcement issues, it is crucial to persistently pursue efforts aimed at systematically dismantling the tobacco industry through protests, lawsuits, regulations, and educational programs for children.
Tobacco usage has deep historical roots; pre-Columbian Americans utilized it for its perceived special qualities and healing powers. Its origins can be traced back to South American Indians who discovered it as a wild plant around 2000 B.C., incorporating its leaves' smoke into religious ceremonies. Central Ameri
...can civilizations such as the Aztecs and Mayans smoked dried leaves inserted into hollow reed stems. Brazilians later introduced coarse paper which eventually led to the invention of cigarettes.The popularity of cigarettes in the United States increased significantly after the Civil War, thanks to the widespread cultivation of bright tobacco in Virginia and North Carolina. It's worth noting that early on, there was limited awareness about the health risks associated with tobacco use. European doctors initially believed that tobacco had medicinal properties, much like Native Americans did. However, in 1930, German researchers discovered a statistical link between smoking and cancer. Subsequently, Dr. Raymond Pearl from John Hopkins University reported in 1938 that smokers had shorter lifespans than nonsmokers. Although the American Cancer Society began warning people about potential smoking effects in 1944, they acknowledged the lack of concrete evidenc
linking smoking to lung cancer at that time. As public awareness grew, it became widely known that tobacco is addictive, harmful to health, and often fatal. The direct correlation between smoking and health issues has been well-established for quite some time now. In 1952, Readers Digest published an article titled "Cancer by the Carton," which strongly emphasized the dangers of smoking.Major U.S. tobacco companies formed the Tobacco Industry Researchers Council in 1954 in response to increasing health concerns. In 1964, the Surgeon General's Advisory Committee released a comprehensive report titled "Smoking and Health," which solidified the connection between smoking and various health complications. This report spanned 387 pages. The prohibition of smoking on interstate buses and domestic airline flights lasting less than six hours was implemented in 1990. In 1998, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop declared that cigarettes are as addictive as any other drug. Despite widespread knowledge of tobacco's harmful effects, warnings are often ignored.
As public awareness of smoking-related illnesses increases, there is a greater emphasis on educating people about the health risks associated with tobacco use. The addictive nature of cigarettes results from both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms that occur when one stops using them. Nicotine, found in tobacco, is widely recognized as the primary addictive component.
Tobacco smoke contains over 43 carcinogenic substances that can cause various types of cancer such as lung cancer, mouth cancer, larynx cancer, pharynx cancer, esophagus cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer and uterine cervix cancer.Cigarette smoke is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds produced through burning tobaccoThe text highlights the harmful substances present in cigarettes, including tar and various toxic gases. These substances
are inhaled by smokers and can enter the body. Nicotine, despite its less severe withdrawal symptoms compared to heroin addiction, is considered the most addictive substance according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc). Tobacco not only damages the health of smokers but also negatively affects individuals exposed to second-hand smoke. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or second-hand smoke is a growing concern as it is believed to be almost as harmful as directly inhaling cigarette smoke. Non-smokers married to smokers have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. When nicotine from cigarette smoke is inhaled, it quickly enters the bloodstream and affects different parts of the body such as the heart, blood vessels, hormonal system, metabolism, and brain. It has been discovered that nicotine can even be found in breast milk and cervix mucus secretions. Thus, cigarettes pose risks not only to smokers but also non-smokers.It is widely acknowledged that protecting both children and adults from involuntary exposure to second-hand smoke should be a priority. Simultaneously, alternative treatment programs for those who want to quit smoking should also be offered. Despite increased awareness of the risks associated with smoking, consumption continues to rise. Statistics indicate that approximately 50 million Americans smoke cigarettes, resulting in over 400,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. Globally, almost one-third of adults use cigarettes, with men accounting for 47% and women for 12% of smokers. Smoking rates are higher in developing countries compared to developed nations: 48% of men and 7% of women in these countries are smokers, while the percentages are 42% for men and 24% for women in developed nations. These statistics emphasize the significant
societal impact caused by tobacco use as it is recognized as the primary preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Smoking poses substantial health risks to individuals, particularly young people who often start smoking at an early age; astonishingly, 80% of smokers begin before reaching age 21. Research conducted in 1986 revealed that teenagers who started smoking were more susceptible to substance abuse such as cocaine and marijuana. Moreover, there has been a steady increase over time in the number of young smokers.Approximately 4.5 million individuals aged 12-17 currently smoke, compared to only around 1.3 million in 1996.If current trends continue, it is estimated that five million individuals under the age of eighteen will have premature deaths caused by tobacco-related illnesses such as heart attack, stroke, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, and chronic emphysema.Although teenage smoking rates are alarming, it is important to note that they are not alone in this harmful habit.Many adults also smoke cigarettes; Nevada has the highest percentage (30.3%) and Utah has the lowest (15.1%).The age group with the highest overall percentage of smokers (25.9%) is individuals aged 25-44 years old, while approximately 23.4% of smokers are aged 65 years or older.As adults age, they tend to smoke less frequently than when they were younger.Smokers between the ages of 35 and 70 have a death rate three times higher than non-smokers.Starting smoking at a young age without understanding the consequences makes it difficult for many individuals to quit now that they know its addictive nature.Ignoring smoking can have devastating effects.Tobacco companies aim to attract about 5,000 new daily smokers in order to replace the 3,500 Americans who quit smoking
and the 1,200 who die from smoking-related illnesses each day.These companies spend billions of dollars annually on advertising and promotions, effectively attracting around 3,000 new young individuals to become daily smokers. Tobacco companies are aware that nearly all regular adult smokers (89%) started during their teenage years, making teenagers a perfect target for their marketing campaigns. The tobacco industry utilizes appealing images of youth, success, and wealth in their advertisements to appeal to the younger generation and promote smoking as socially acceptable. In cigarette marketing, deceptive terms such as light, mild, clean, fresh, soft, and natural are employed to create a false perception that smoking represents independence, adulthood, popularity while conveying safety and good health. This harmful marketing strategy further strengthens the belief among teenagers that smoking is prevalent, trendy, convenient and affordable through coupons,special offers,glossy ads,and even doorstep delivery of cigarettes. Unfortunately,this profit-oriented approach by the tobacco industry results in children and teenagers becoming addicted to cigarettes at the expense of public health.The need for regulation at local, state, and federal levels is evident. From 1980-1989, there was a significant increase in the number of nonsmoking laws passed by various cities, providing evidence of this need for regulation. By 1989, 44 states had enacted some form of smoking control legislation. However, despite efforts to curb cigarette advertising and promotion since broadcast advertisement was banned in 1971, cigarettes continue to be heavily advertised in the United States after automobiles.
Restricting the availability of cigarettes to minors is crucial for positive public health outcomes related to smoking. It is concerning that approximately 80-90% of regular smokers start at the age of 18, indicating society's indifference towards illegal
sales of addictive tobacco products to children. Although there have been improvements in laws, additional regulations targeting young people must be enforced by the government. This becomes particularly important as more attention is given to the significant number of deaths and illnesses caused by smoking.
Evidence suggests that the tobacco industry intentionally attempted to control or manipulate nicotine levels in their products.Criminal investigators from the FDA have gathered evidence nationwide, exposing covert importation of high-nicotine tobacco from Brazil for use in US cigarettes. These findings have had a lasting impact on society's perception of tobacco. Internal industry documents also admit to selling nicotine as an addictive drug, with Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner, revealing that children were targeted through advertising efforts. Under Kessler's leadership and now as Dean of Medicine at Yale University, evidence revealed that tobacco companies manipulated nicotine levels to addict smokers, specifically targeting minors as new customers. In an interview, Kessler emphasized the significant influence of the tobacco industry and proposed a solution: establishing a non-profit corporation that sells cigarettes without advertising or profit in order to discourage new smokers. Previous approaches have proven ineffective according to him. His ultimate recommendation is packaging cigarettes in plain brown paper with only the brand name and warning label visible. However, this is not where the story ends. In his book, Kessler recalls a White House meeting where President Clinton expressed his fury upon reading internal documents from the tobacco industry and expressed his desire to harm them.Consequently, in 1999, the Clinton Administration took legal action against the tobacco industry for prioritizing profits over health. They were accused of concealing nicotine addiction and smoking-related illnesses
while targeting children through advertising. The industry's decision to hide these risks has both shortened and potentially prolonged lives. Notably, Philip Morris, a key player in the industry who had previously opposed FDA regulations, now recognizes the need for strict FDA regulation to prevent youth smoking. It is clear that this industry knowingly sold addictive tobacco solely for sales purposes.
The American Lung Association offers various nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products as aids to quit smoking. These include over-the-counter options like nicotine patches and gum, as well as prescription options such as nicotine inhalers and nasal sprays. Moreover, there is a new non-nicotine pill available for smoking cessation.
The nicotine patch gradually releases nicotine into the bloodstream by dissolving through the skin in different sizes; larger patches provide more nicotine. Unlike cigarettes, the patch contains less nicotine and lacks harmful tars or toxic gases. Studies suggest that quitting with the patch may be easier than quitting cigarettes due to two reasons: firstly, it provides a consistent level of nicotine in the body which helps satisfy cravings;The American Lung Association offers various methods to help those addicted to tobacco, including the patch, which only needs to be applied once a day. This habit can reduce cravings and the desire for cigarettes. It is important to note that using the patch may cause short-term side effects like headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, weakness, blurred vision, vivid dreams, mild itching and burning on the skin, and diarrhea. The text discusses different options for quitting smoking like nicotine gum and the patch. Nicotine gum helps relieve withdrawal symptoms such as tension, irritability, drowsiness, and lack of concentration. The steps for effectively using
nicotine gum are provided: stop smoking when starting gum therapy; avoid eating or drinking 15 minutes before or while chewing the gum; intermittently chew the gum for 30 minutes to release maximum nicotine; place it between the cheek and gum to absorb nicotine into the cheek lining. It is recommended to sufficiently chew the gum without exceeding 19-15 pieces per day. Daily use of the gum for about a month with gradually reducing the number of pieces chewed helps prevent withdrawal symptoms. After three months, stop using the gum. Additionally, other alternatives like nasal spray and a nicotine inhaler can also assist in quitting smoking.These products, which require a prescription and should be used as directed alongside any other nicotine replacement therapy, include bupropion hydrochloride (zyban), a non-nicotine pill approved by the FDA in 1997. It is crucial to follow doctor's instructions while using these products to ensure effective treatment and prevent potential symptoms if not used correctly.
In terms of regulation, the Supreme Court ruled that despite claims made by the Clinton administration, the FDA lacks authority over tobacco as an addictive substance. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor stated that Congress explicitly forbade the FDA from regulating tobacco products. Therefore, Congressional action is necessary for the FDA to have regulatory power over tobacco.
In 1996, President Clinton supported proposed regulations aimed at restricting tobacco sales to minors and imposing limits on marketing and advertising by tobacco companies. Previously, the FDA claimed it lacked authority to regulate tobacco unless manufacturers made health benefit claims about smoking. However, they changed their stance after discovering evidence of deliberate product design by the industry to satisfy nicotine cravings.
Currently, all fifty
states already prohibit sales of tobacco to individuals under eighteen. The FDA has expanded regulations by mandating stores to request photo ID from anyone under twenty-seven purchasing tobacco.The aim is to limit cigarette vending machine sales to adult-only locations like bars. In 1998, tobacco companies challenged the FDA's authority to regulate tobacco in court. The 4th United States Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the tobacco companies, stating that the FDA lacked regulatory power. Nevertheless, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor recognized the serious public health issue caused by tobacco use, especially among young people. She acknowledged cigarettes as a significant threat and advocated for their complete removal from the market. As a result, the FDA concluded that cigarettes are indeed dangerous and called for their prohibition or strict control to safeguard society. To achieve this goal, more people need to be involved and additional regulations against tobacco sales must be implemented. Bibliography: [insert relevant sources]
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