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What are the effects of nicotine on the body?

Nicotine gives the so-called “positive effects” which include:

Enhancement of memory and alertness

Improvement of skills and work performance

Alteration of mood, reduced stress, improvement in “sociability” and even euphoria

However, these effects are fleeting and are far outweighted by negative effects. These include:

Shortness of breath

Chronic cough

Increased heart rate and blood pressure

“Ulcer-like” stomach pains (hunger pains), nausea and diarrhea

Reduction of fertility

Early onset of menopause in women

Tremors, especially in the inexperienced user

Sweating with the smell of nicotine

Others related to gastro-intestinal effects:

Appetite suppression specifically for simple carbohydrates (sweets)

Inability to taste food

Decreased efficiency of food digestion and metabolism

What is second-hand smoke?

Second-hand smoke is smoke exhaled by a smoker and inhaled by other people. Non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more at risk because the particles in the exhaled smoke are smaller. They reach deeper into the lungs of the passive smokers.

The unfortunate non-smoker exposed regularly to second-hand smoke, is prone to specific health risks which include:

Increased risk of heart disease
Increased risk of lung cancer
Increase frequency of respiratory infections and asthmatic bronchitis in infants and children
Chronic irritation of the eyes, nose and throat especially among children. - DOH Philippines