Is smoking still a problem?
Despite decades of tobacco control efforts, there are still 1.1 billion people who smoke worldwide. Half of all those who smoke will die prematurely and painfully due to diseases directly linked to smoking.
Why can’t people just quit smoking?
Many people successfully quit smoking with no assistance at all. Others quit using nicotine replacement therapy or medicines, although relapse rates are high.
Why is smoking bad for you?
When a smoker lights a cigarette, the temperature at the tip (end) rises to between 700 and 900 degrees centigrade and releases more than 7,000 chemical compounds.
Are e-cigarettes bad for you/is vaping bad for you?
When you compare using e-cigarettes or vaping products to smoking tobacco cigarettes, the science is clear: e-cigarettes or vapes are much safer.
Do e-cigarettes or vaping products have their own health risks?
Nicotine does not cause cancer, nor does it contribute to respiratory diseases. Like caffeine, nicotine is a stimulant drug and it may be that people with underlying heart conditions would be advised against regular use of any stimulant drug.
Will people switch to safer nicotine products instead of smoking?
We estimate that in a decade, the number of people who use safer nicotine products globally has risen to 98 million. This shows how many people want to use these products as safer alternatives to combustible tobacco.
Is there evidence that safer nicotine products can reduce harm at a population level?
There is significant evidence that safer nicotine products can have a major positive impact on consumer choices and public health.
Is nicotine bad for you?
There is no evidence that nicotine itself causes any short or long term harm, although people with heart problems should avoid any stimulant drug.
Does nicotine damage teenagers’ brains?
No. There is no evidence to support the idea that nicotine damages teenage brains. There have been decades of research into nicotine and smoking.
Is nicotine addictive?
It is true that people smoke to consume nicotine. Many people report that nicotine brings them benefits. It can offer relief from stress or help focus attention. This can make it difficult for people to stop smoking.