Nicotine and Tobacco

deaths dues to smoking

components of tobacco smoke (lecture)

nicotine content of cigarettes, smoking characteristics affecting absorption

nicotine provided by other forms (chew, snuff, gum, etc.)

metabolism of nicotine; metabolite; half-life

non-tolerant response to nicotine

effects of the active ingredient nicotine on:

    1) the body

    2) behavior/psychological functioning

    3) on the brain (how does it work, brain chemicals affected and how,
        where does it exert its effects)

characteristics of nicotine dependency

withdrawal symptoms

interaction between nicotine withdrawal and use of caffeine

adverse effects on health; number of deaths due to various tobacco-related illnesses

effects of carbon monoxide

effects of smoking on blood vessels, on lungs, on cancer

passive (secondhand) smoke

effects of smoking on fetus (and prolonged effects on offspring)

treatment approaches to nicotine dependency

pharmacotherapy options

    types of nicotine replacement

    buproprion (Zyban) 

    varenicline (Chantix)