
Nicotine
Put your brand in front of thousands monthly and support the growth of harm reduction.
Harm Reduction
Smoking tobacco or consuming nicotine can lead to a rapid, insidious nicotine-dependence and quitting can be extremely difficult, with very high rates of relapse. The majority of smokers want to quit but find that they cannot. So, it’s important that you:
Resist peer pressure: Most people are introduced to smoking by friends, often quite young. Remember that you can still go out for a “smoke break” with your friends without actually smoking. If you’re concerned about second-hand smoke or that you’ll be too tempted, skip these altogether.
Don’t start smoking: Smoking tobacco or vaping nicotine might look like a fun shared activity between friends, but it is highly addictive and comes with many serious health risks when done regularly.
Minimise consumption: Nicotine addiction can be a slippery slope, so minimise tobacco consumption as much as you can. A good way to keep smoking to a minimum is by refraining from buying your own pack of cigarettes (although your friends might hate you!). Additionally, try to use as little tobacco in joints with cannabis as possible, and resist the urge to smoke after drinking.
If addicted, quit as soon as possible: Quitting can be difficult but there are many options to get support. Talk to your pharmacist and doctor, and make sure to seek support from friends and family. Different methods work for different people, but some evidence suggests that stopping smoking completely and abruptly is the most effective. Many people fail on their first attempt but go on to kick the habit, so try to not get discouraged. Nicotine replacement therapies can help steadily wean you off of nicotine by slowly reducing your nicotine dependence.
Switch to less harmful nicotine-delivery products: E-cigarettes are safer alternatives to standard cigarettes, while snus and nicotine/patches/lozenges are even safer. It’s good to switch to smokeless tobacco as soon as possible to minimise the health risks.
If you think you may be addicted to nicotine, you can take the Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence. You can also talk to your doctor to find out more about potential interventions and drug treatment services. Nicotine Anonymous is another good resource.
Secondhand smoke: Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke exhaled by a smoker. The smoke burning from the end of a cigarette cigar actually contains more harmful substances than that inhaled by the smoker, as it does not pass through a filter.
Infants and children exposed regularly to secondhand smoke are exposed to a higher risk of permanent harms such as developing asthma, incomplete lung development and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Children who grow up in a household with smokers are more likely to start using tobacco themselves.
Put your brand in front of thousands monthly and support the growth of harm reduction.