Tobacco smoking

Tobacco smoking is the act of smoking tobacco products, especially cigarettes and cigars. Tobacco smoking is considered a significant cause of human health problems, especially lung cancer, emphysema, and other disorders.

Related Topics:
Tobacco - Cigarette - Cigars - Health - Lung cancer - Emphysema

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The practice of smoking tobacco originated among American Indians in western North America, where tobacco is native. It was adopted by many Europeans following the colonization of the Americas. According to the World Health Organization, it is most common in east Asia, where as many as two-thirds of all adult males smoke tobacco. Because of concern over the health hazards of smoking, the practice has rapidly declined in recent years in the United States, Canada and western Europe.

Related Topics:
American Indian - North America - Europe - Colonization of the Americas - World Health Organization - East Asia - United States - Canada - Western Europe

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Tobacco may be smoked in several forms, the most common being the cigarette, the cigar, and the pipe. Cigarette smoking is by far the most common. Pipes and cigars are less common, and are used almost exclusively by men. The hookah or water pipe is used in the Middle East.

Related Topics:
Cigarette - Cigar - Pipe - Hookah

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In the case of cigarette smoking, smoke is inhaled into the lungs. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which forms a strong physical and psychological chemical dependence (addiction). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nicotine is a "very addictive drug" that can be "as addictive as heroin or cocaine."{{fn|1}} Dependence is strongest when tobacco smoke is inhaled into the lungs and increases with quantity and speed of nicotine absorption.

Related Topics:
Cigarette - Nicotine - Chemical dependence - Addiction - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Heroin - Cocaine

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In recent years and in many countries tobacco advertising has been regulated or restricted. In some countriessmoking bans have come into effect.

Related Topics:
Tobacco advertising - Smoking ban

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