Chemistry in Nicole's Daily Life: TAK NAK!!!!! Say NO to CIGARETTES

Once upon a time (actually is just back to the few years ago :P), our government has been work out so many way and also carried out various campaign in order to ban the smoker or to decrease the amount of smoker in our country. The initiative ways include establish ASH Foundation for tobacco control activities in Malaysia, ban the sale of duty free tobacco products, raise the price of the cigarettes, and recently they even think of a brilliant idea that is cigarette packs sold in this country have to display graphic warnings on the dangers of smoking. On May 31, 2008, the Malaysian Minister of Health announced that pictorial warnings would appear on cigarette packages in that country and on September 15, 2008, the 6 required images were gazette. By this “shocking pictures” I think MIGHT JUST make a difference. (Hope it works. Malaysia BOLEH :S).

Those are the new tactic that our government promote
(graphic warnings on the dangers of smoking)

Why those tiny ‘roll’ can endanger human life, act as a killer? Actually cigarettes contain a kind of plant’s leaves which known as Nicotine. Nicotine is an alkaloid that found in the nightshade family of plants (Solanaceae) and it is one of more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke from tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes. It constitutes approximately 0.6–3.0% of dry weight of tobacco, with biosynthesis taking place in the roots, and accumulating in the leaves. One of its functions as an antiherbivore chemical with particular specificity to insects; therefore nicotine was widely used as an insecticide in the past, and currently nicotine analogs such as imidacloprid continue to be widely used. Besides, nicotine, recognized as one of the MOST FREQUENTLY USED ADDICTIVE DRUGS, is a naturally occurring colourless liquid that turns brown when burned and acquires the odour of tobacco once exposed to air. There are many species of tobacco plants; the tabacum species serves as the major source of tobacco products today. (The killer…the killer…)

Cant believe those lovely floral can take away our life T.T

The chemical formula for nicotine is C10H14N2, with a molecular mass of 162.23. In proper nomenclature, nicotine is 3-(1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) pyridine. Nicotine is a hygroscopic, oily liquid that is miscible with water with its base form. As a nitrogenous base, nicotine forms salts with acids that are usually solid and water soluble. Nicotine easily penetrates the skin. Free base nicotine will burn at a temperature below its boiling point, and its vapors will combust at 308 K (35 °C; 95 °F) in air despite a low vapor pressure. Because of this, most of the nicotine is burned when a cigarette is smoked. The amount of nicotine inhaled with tobacco smoke is a fraction of the amount contained in the tobacco leaves.

The molecular formula of Nicotine

In low concentrations (an average cigarette yields about 1 mg of absorbed nicotine), the substance acts as a stimulant in mammals and is one of the main factors responsible for the dependence-forming properties of tobacco smoking. According to the American Heart Association, "Nicotine addiction has historically been one of the hardest addictions to break." The pharmacological and behavioral characteristics that determine tobacco addiction are similar to those that determine addiction to drugs such as heroin and cocaine.

The tiny 'roll' with nicotine inside

Why most of the smoker finds it hard to stop smoking???

1st reason: They are addicted to nicotine as addiction is a Very Serious condition

2nd reason: According to research it helps the brain stimulate a chemical called dopamine where dopamine plays a part in making us feel pleasure.

3rd reason: People who smoke say it makes them feel relaxed, and there's some evidence that nicotine may make them feel more alert.

4th reason: It may help in loss weight

(p/s: In my opinion, I don't think those are reason, for me they look more like excuses… =.=)

The effect: (those who smoke PLEASE PAY MORE ATTENTION HERE!!!!)

--> The lungs are majorly affected. It is estimated that 87 percent of lung cancer cases are linked to smoking.

--> The number of Cancers caused by smoking is on the up, and with 1.1 billion people smoking worldwide, this is only set to rise. Cancer of the mouth, stomach, lungs, kidneys, cervix, esophagus, larynx, rectum and colon are heavily linked to smoking effects.

--> The heart and the circulatory system. The majority of people who from the effects of smoking, will experience respiratory problems, and will often find it difficult to exercise for even short period's time. Thus leaving smokers in pain, often requiring expensive medication.

--> These effects can often attack the reproductive abilities, leaving many sufferers infertile, even from a young age. Female smokers have also been associated with miscarriages as a result.

--> Smoking effects on pregnant women can be very harsh, and generally speaking, the effects within a woman's body, can often lead to complications in the delivery, and may also damage the baby's organs.

--> A smoker's skin will also suffer as a result of smoking. Smoking will also affects the way you look, often causing wrinkles on your face, and the yellowing and staining of your teeth and fingers.

--> Smoking will also affect your appetite, destroying your sense of taste and smell.

--> Second hand smoke can have detrimental effects on the health of those around you, particularly young children.