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Nicotine belongs to a family of compounds called alkaloids and occurs naturally in several varieties of plants including tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes - but is found at its highest levels in the tobacco plant. We don't add nicotine to our conventional cigarettes and the nicotine in our vapour products is extracted from tobacco leaf.

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Nicotine is a stimulant drug that speeds up the messages travelling between the brain and body. Products such as cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and wet and dry snuff and the dried leaves from the tobacco plant all contain nicotine. Electronic cigarettes do not contain dried tobacco leaves, but they still contain nicotine. Nicotine affects everyone differently, based on size, weight, health, the amount taken, the strength of the tobacco, etc. For people who smoke tobacco products regularly, they will build up a tolerance to the immediate short-term effects of smoking tobacco, and may experience the following effects after smoking: mild stimulation, increase in heart rate, relaxation, coughing, increased ability to concentrate, etc. If a large amount of nicotine is taken the following effects may also be experienced. This includes confusion, feeling faint, seizures, fast breathing, and respiratory arrest.

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Based on this graph, we can see the growing popularity of the use of nicotine. In 2020, the revenue of nicotine in the US alone was $439.7 million and grew to $598.2 million in 2021. This graph also predicts the growing income of nicotine sales in continuing years (2022-2030) which shows that it's predicted to climb rapidly.

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Based off this graph, we can see out of all the addictive drugs listed, tobacco (nicotine) is the most addictive among society. Out of the general population who had ever used this drug, 76% of people got hooked on nicotine. Also, 24% of the general population who ever became addicted got hooked to this drug as well. This graph shows the significance and addictive nature of this drug compared to the other drugs of its kind. Almost 3/4 of the people who use this drug are most likely going to get hooked and become reliant on it.

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Although at times it may seem hopelessly addicting, there are some treatments and way to cope with nicotine addiction. Some of these treatments include, one, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This type of talk therapy can help you recognize the thoughts, situations, and people that trigger your tobacco use. You'll work with a therapist to build strategies that will improve your odds of stopping. Next, there is motivational interviewing. A counselor will help you figure out what's stopping you from quitting and what will inspire you to make healthy changes. They'll also point out gaps between your goals and current behavior. To add, there is also several support hotlines available. Every state offers free telephone help lines with trained counselors who can help you navigate smoking-related stress. You can call once or repeatedly, and your conversation is confidential. The number is 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669). Finally, web, text, or social media-based interventions can be extremely helpful. You can harness your cell phone, tablet, or social media accounts to help yourself quit. These technologies break down geographical barriers, and they're also low-or no-cost.

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As this article discusses, among schools in Michigan, particularly in middle and high schools, vaping has become a major obsession and addiction problem. It gained its popularity around 2018 and 2019 and has remained popular ever since. As the article states, exposure to nicotine in adolescence can affect brain development and prime it for future substance use. While vaping is beneficial for adults attempting to quit cigarette smoking, exposing the young, maturing brain to nicotine can cause lasting, physical addiction. Despite this, teenagers and young adults around the world continue to rely on nicotine as it becomes an epidemic.

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Study (PDF): National Survey Results on
Drug Use, 1975-2022:
Secondary School Students

Nicotine vaping is one of the most common types of substance use for teenagers in 2022, according to results from a national study released today.

Among 8th grade students, 7% vaped nicotine in the past 30 days in 2022, compared to 6% who used alcohol and 5% who used cannabis. Among 10th graders, 14% vaped nicotine in the past 30 days, compared to 13.6% and 12% for alcohol and cannabis use, respectively.

Among 12th grade students, the past 30-day prevalence of nearly 21% for nicotine vaping was below alcohol use at 28% but similar to cannabis at 20%.

The results come from the Monitoring the Future study, conducted annually by a team of professors at the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. The study has surveyed nationally representative samples of adolescents in 8th and 10th grade since 1991 and 12th graders since 1975. It is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is part of the National Institutes of Health, and assesses adolescent use of dozens of substances.

"Many people are not aware just how common nicotine vaping has become among teens," said Richard Miech, principal investigator of the study and research professor at the Institute for Social Research. "Its use increased rapidly in 2018 and 2019, and it has stuck around since then. What began as an epidemic of teen vaping is on its way to becoming endemic."

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug, Miech says, and exposure in adolescence can affect brain development and prime it for future substance use. While vaping has potential to help adults quit cigarette smoking, exposing the young brain to nicotine can cause lasting, physical addiction, he says. Further, emerging evidence suggests that e-cigarettes may come with their own health risks, such as damage to blood vessels.

Additional findings from the 2022 Monitoring the Future study focus on adolescent drug use before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are reported on the NIDA website.

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Nicotine vaping now one of the top forms of substance use among teens

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Nicotine vaping is one of the most common types of substance use for teenagers in 2022, according to results from a national study released today. Among 8th grade students, 7% vaped nicotine in the past 30 days in 2022, compared to 6% who used alcohol and 5% who used cannabis.

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The World Health Organization has begun to urge governments around the world to ban the use of E-cigarettes or any substances containing high levels of nicotine. Although, this may propose a problem for companies producing tobacco and nicotine enriched products, societies health is declining around the world. For example, vapes were banned in 34 countries as of July 2023, according to the WHO, including Brazil, India, Iran and Thailand. But many countries struggle to enforce these kinds of laws or regulations because these products are often available on the black market. On the other hand, 74 countries, mostly in Africa but also including Pakistan, Colombia, and Mongolia do not regulation e-cigarettes at all as of July. In other nations, including key markets like the US and China, governments allow vapes but regulate their use.

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Ackama, Ackama. “Nicotine.” Nicotine - Alcohol and Drug Foundation, 2024, adf.org.au/drug-facts/nicotine/.

Brodwin, Erin. “The Most ‘addictive’ Drugs Probably Aren’t the Ones You Think.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 2024, www.businessinsider.com/most-addictive-substances-2016-5.

“Nicotine Vaping Now One of the Top Forms of Substance Use among Teens.” University of Michigan News, 10 May 2023, news.umich.edu/nicotine-vaping-now-one-of-the-top-forms-of-substance-use-among-teens/.