Nicotine: Clouded By The Smoke

Contrary to popular belief during the 1930’s-1950’s, nicotine is addictive. Smokers who use nicotine daily will tell you that this habit is one of the hardest to quit and very costly. Statistics show that teens who smoke in high school will most likely be smoking as adults. They started to ban smoking in offices, restaurants, hospitals and on airplanes. Businesses implemented a “smoke-free policy”. Slogans were made, “Save your lungs, save your life.” Commercials were broadcast with actors showing the hideous effect of smoking on your life.

While nicotine remains addictive despite historical denial, the big tobacco companies knowingly lied in the past. Due to these tobacco companies lying about their products being not harmful they had to suffer some consequences and were made to pay a multi billion dollar settlement to victims that were hurt by tobacco products.

In 1994, the chief executive officers of the leading American tobacco companies all lied under oath. The chairmen of the American Tobacco, Brown and William Tobacco Corporation, Liggett Group Inc., Lorillard Tobacco Company, United States Tobacco Company, R. J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris were dubbed the “Seven Dwarves”. These executives testified that they did not believe that cigarettes are addictive but also stated that they don’t want their own children to smoke. The resurgence of nicotine through vape products poses a very real danger to the current generation, much as smoking did to the older generations.

The company Juul, targeted the younger demographics appealing with devices that look like a USB flash drive and contain fruity flavors in the product.

States legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes without knowing the effects of very high THC levels, is irresponsible. There hasn’t been enough studies done prior to legalization. One issue that is known with the use of marijuana is Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). It seems that marijauna may be able to help with some health issues but can also be the cause of other issues. It appears that the government has one thing in mind and that’s the profit from taxes that they will receive from the sale of legal marijauna.

During the 1950’s -1970’s advertising cigarettes were all over the media via radio, magazines, billboards and television. Tobacco companies were the largest advertisers on television in 1969.

We have come full circle in getting people addicted to products where we will not know the health effects for years to come because of the long-term effects of the vape juice. It had appeared, at one point, where cigarette smoking was not cool. Nicotine is one of the most difficult things in life to quit.

Now with the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana in many states the consequences of mental health issues and the medical issues will be compounded. The dispensaries that distribute marijuana for medical and or recreational use do so without educating the consumer. They are not thinking of the long term effects of the high levels of THC with your cannabinoid system. It can have such adverse effects on a certain percentage of the population. Not all people react the same way to chemical substances. Not all people have an addictive personality. However, we are on a fine line with the government trying to medicate and control us.