Tobacco

Class:
Unrestricted, however it is illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under 16.

Other Names:
Cigarettes, fags, ciggies and tabs.

Effects:
Increases pulse-rate and blood pressure. First time smokers often feel nauseous and dizzy. The drug effect is caused by nicotine, a mild stimulant. The levels of nicotine build up whilst the person is smoking, then drop sharply until the next cigarette. Regular smokers find satisfaction when inhaling. Use of tobacco accounts for at least 100,000 premature deaths in the UK every year and lung cancer is the disease most closely associated with smoking.

What to look for:
Smelly breath and smelly clothing.

Other info:
Approximately 30% of older teenagers smoke about 12 cigarettes per day.

FACT:
Nearly 1 in 5 men and 1 in 10 women smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day. Cigarette smoking is strongly linked with dependence and more people use tobacco than any other drug.

Law:

• It is not illegal to smoke at any age. It is illegal for shopkeepers to sell cigarettes to youngsters who they know are under 16 years of age.