AKA
Ciggies, cigs, cigarettes, straights, fags, snouts, tabs, darts, baccy, roll ups, rollies
Fag factoid About 12 million people in the UK smoke cigarettes - 26% of men and 23% of women. In England 16% of boys and 25% of girls are regular smokers. 80% of smokers started when they were teenagers. (ASH - Action on Smoking and Health, 2006)
What is it?
Tobacco is the dried, shredded and processed leaves from the tobacco plant. It comes in ready made cigarettes, rolling tobacco and cigars. It is usually smoked. Some people chew tobacco leaves. The main addictive ingredient in tobacco is nicotine. Tobacco smoke contains 1000's of chemicals and some are very poisonous.
How does it make you feel?
Smoking makes you feel slightly energised and a bit calmer than you were before. When you take a drag (inhale) on a fag the nicotine kicks in about eight seconds later.
What are the health effects?
The nicotine found in all tobacco contributes to it being one of the most addictive drugs around. If you have found you can't manage without a fag and want to give up, you can get help through your GP. Set a date for stopping and stop with a friend if you can. You should quit totally on your set day. Giving up smoking may make you feel tired, irritable, a bit depressed and as though there is a big hole in your life. These feelings do pass in time. The doctor can prescribe nicotine patches to help you through the worst. If you don't succeed the first time, keep trying. Most people have more than one attempt at giving up before they manage it. People do give up. In the UK 20% of women and 28% of men are ex-smokers. Long term smoking can lead to lung and heart disease as well as cancer. About half of all regular smokers will be killed by their habit.
The law
Tobacco is legal. Smoking has been banned in public places in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Written by Kate Roach
Last updated July 2007
Further help and advice
TheSite.org entry on tobacco NHS help and support Ash.org.uk
Disclaimer: The BBC cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites
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Kayleigh, 18
I just found out that my dad smokes and has been smokin for about 6 months behind my families back only me and my mum know at the moment. But we are both heartbroken because its a disgusting habit. Smoking doesnt just that person..... it effects everyone. So those of you thinkin about smoking dont. the events after u start are horrible.
Dannielle, 15
I was forced to smoke at a young age and eventually i got addicted!! I hate the fact that i smoke.. its doesnt do me any favours i dont look good nor cool.. so for any of you trying it or not yet addicted stop while you can before its too late..!Trust me you will regret starting
katie, 16
what gets me is that the government knows how bad smoking is for people people yet it doesn't rely do much to help the younger people who smoke and the only reason the government doesn't ban smoking in the first place is because they get too much money from it which makes me sick
Louise , 15
some of my friends show off about the fact that they smoke and think it makes them look good, but me and the rest of my friends think is digusting and that they're stupid to think they look good with it. It makes you look trampy and horrible when your young and smoke.
Kaia, 15
I have never tried Smoking, and never want to. I can't stand being around one nevermind trying it myself. I think it's a disgusting thing, and has serious side-effects. Think of the thick, black tar around your lungs. Throat Cancer? It comes from smoking! If you smoke - give up! If you don't smoke, don't start now. Think of how much money you save too!
Ellis, 16
Ive been smoking for 4 years now about 10-15 a day ive tried to quit 5 times using patches and tablets. Nothing seems to work. You have to have willpower, which i dont have, you cant expect the patches to do it all its half and half. But i made the mistake of not trying hard enough. and i dont think ill be able to quit because i tried so many times. Smoking calms me down, but tbh its mainly a habit, a routine. dont do it.
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