Tobacco Category: Stimulants

Also called: smokes, fags, cigarettes.

How it’s used

Nicotine is a stimulant drug (‘upper’). You can smoke tobacco in a cigarette or pipe, chew or sniff it (snuff). It comes from the leaves of the tobacco plant. They contain nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide.

Short-term effects

Increases your pulse rate and blood pressure
Helps you cope with anxiety and stress
You may have less appetite

Long-term effects

The more you smoke, the higher your risk of lung and other cancers, heart diseases, bronchitis, bad circulation and ulcers
For women, smoking while on the pill increases your risk of heart and circulatory problems
Tolerance – you need to take more to get the same effect

Other dangers

Higher risk of getting coughs and chest infections
Chronic breathing problems such as emphysema
Heart attack
Death

If you are pregnant

Smoking during pregnancy increases your risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight baby and cot death.

Addictive

Highly addictive both physically and psychologically, so your body craves it and you feel you can’t cope without it.

Withdrawal

In the first few weeks after you stop you may get cravings and a bad cough. You may be irritable and find it hard to concentrate.

What help is available?

National Smokers Quitline 1850 201 203
Counselling or psychotherapy
Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture
Support from your doctor to withdraw, keep off
Contact the Drugs Helpline 1800 459 459 to find out about options in your area
Visit www.quit.ie

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