Nicotine, which is found in all tobacco products, is the most addictive  substance of all. Smoking is by far the single greatest cause of disease and premature death in America today, and is responsible for more than 430,000 deaths each year from various forms of cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema. Nearly 25% of adult Americans smoke, and 3,000 children and adolescents become regular users of tobacco every day.

Despite these statistics and an overwhelming amount of preventive and educational information as to the harmful effects of tobacco, smoking is still seen as a less harmful and more socially acceptable alternative to alcohol and other drugs on the spectrum of addictive substances. The tobacco industry has been hugely successful in purveying this myth and promoting their interests, and let’s face it; they’ve got a very effective product to market. Cigarettes are an inexpensive, legal, and easy way to self medicate depression or anxiety, they don’t impair functioning (they can actually increase productivity and concentration) and they seldom kill their victims with short term use.

Like any other chronic substance use disorder, however, smoking and other tobacco addictions create more problems than they solve as they progressively begin to control decision making, compromise judgement (exposing children),  affect relationships, and slowly debilitate health and functionality.