Smoking

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Smoking

Smoking (/ˈsmoʊkɪŋ/) is the process of inhaling and exhaling the smoke produced by burning a substance, usually tobacco, in a rolled paper or a pipe. It is primarily practiced as a route of administration for recreational drug use because the combustion of the dried plant leaves vaporizes and delivers active substances into the lungs where they are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and reach bodily tissue.

Etymology

The term "smoking" originated from the Old English smoca, which means "to emit smoke". It was first used in the context of inhaling smoke from burning substances in the late 16th century.

Related Terms

  • Tobacco: A product prepared from the leaves of the tobacco plant by curing them. It contains the alkaloid nicotine, which is a stimulant, and harmala alkaloids.
  • Nicotine: A stimulant and potent parasympathomimetic alkaloid that is naturally produced in the nightshade family of plants.
  • Cigarette: A narrow cylinder containing psychoactive material, typically tobacco, that is rolled into thin paper for smoking.
  • Cigar: A rolled bundle of dried and fermented tobacco leaves made to be smoked.
  • Pipe smoking: The practice of tasting the smoke produced by burning a substance, most commonly tobacco, in a pipe.
  • Secondhand smoke: Also known as environmental tobacco smoke, it is the smoke that fills enclosed spaces when people burn tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
  • Smoking cessation: The process of discontinuing tobacco smoking.

Health Effects

Smoking has significant health effects and is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. It is a major risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking also increases the risk of many other types of cancer, as well as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking cessation is the process of discontinuing tobacco smoking. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, which is addictive and can cause dependence. Therefore, the process of quitting often involves periods of withdrawal symptoms.

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