We all are aware of the adverse effects of smoking. It impacts the lungs, heart, and brain and causes various problems. Let’s face the fact that cigarettes are harmful to health and this is mentioned on each and every pack of cigarettes. Still, many smokers indulge in buying their deadly pack which can cause health problems. Cigarettes could make you more addicted to smoking because of the nicotine present in it. This addiction starts with the intense cravings for smoke which gradually causes withdrawal symptoms of staying away from it.
Nicotine is harmful to health
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance found in tobacco products. Nicotine is a colorless poisonous alkaloid that is present in tobacco. Tobacco is both addictive and toxic. Tobacco contains about 7000 chemicals and is very toxic. Many of them are poisonous and toxic also known to produce carcinogenic effects.
Poisonous chemicals in cigarettes
The chemical constituent of cigarettes are :
Nicotine Tar Carbon monoxide Arsenic Ammonia Acetone Toluene Methylamine Pesticides Polonium Methanol
Masking cigarette with methanol can make you
People are coming up and ready to experiment with new versions of cigarettes. The current use of Menthol cigarettes is on high and we need special attention. Masking the cigarette with Menthol is not a good idea. Methanol is a chemical compound found in peppermint and similar plants. It is derived naturally or lab-created. The menthol in cigarettes creates a cooling sensation and airways when the user inhales making cigarette smoke less harsh on the throat and airways. But, here it is important to note that this is just a “cooling sensation” with a flavor. Tobacco companies market these methanol cigarettes as “smoother” than regular cigarettes. But, on the other hand, these are more dangerous making you “smoke” more and go overboard with the number of cigarettes.
Methanol cigarettes make you more addicted to the smoking
Cigarettes of any kind, including methanol cigarettes, are harmful to health. Studies have shown that menthol and flavored cigarettes make young people experiment more with cigarettes. Marketing messages that ”menthol cigarettes are healthier versions of cigarettes” are very untrue. In fact, people who smoke menthol cigarettes find it hard to quit the addiction. Special attention should be made to address the marketing of menthol cigarettes among the younger generation who want to go ahead and try new flavors.
An initiative by Food and Drug Administration
The FDA is working towards issuing proposal product standards within the next year to ban menthol as characterizing flavor in cigarettes and banal flavored cigarettes. The authority is to adopt the product standards which is one of the most powerful regulatory tools. The decision is based on clear science and evidence establishing additives and harmfulness of the products that build up with increasing numbers of cigarettes.
The FDA is taking urgent action to curb tobacco products and addiction. There is strong evidence that a menthol ban will help people quit the addiction. Studies show that menthol increases the appeal for tobacco and facilitates progression to smoking regularly especially seen in the younger generation. Tobacco products with menthol are also more addictive and enhance the action of nicotine.