TOBACCO
Tobacco is the primary substance in products such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco. It contains nicotine, which is the psychoactive substance responsible for the stimulating effects of tobacco consumption. It is suggested that nicotine may be a more addictive substance than heroin. Independently, nicotine is not extremely harmful, however, toxic substances such as tar and carbon monoxide are also released when tobacco is burned. Immediate effects of tobacco consumption include a feeling alert, happy or relaxed, coughing, dizziness, increased heart rate, reduced appetite, and tingling/numbness in fingers and toes.
Tobacco Use Statistics
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In 2017-18, just under one in seven (13.8%) Australians or 2.6 million adults were daily smokers, while a further 1.4% of people also reported smoking, they did so on a less than daily basis
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Among EDRS participants, smoking remains very common, with 9 in 10 participants recently smoking cigarettes in 2018
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While the overall smoking rate remains high, there has been a decline in daily smoking, with less than half of recent smokers being daily smokers in 2017 and 2018, compared with 60% or more in 2014-2016
Seeking help?
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Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS)
24 hour free call on 1800 250 015
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Free Alcohol and Drug Counselling Online
www.counsellingonline.org.au
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Lifeline
24 hour free call on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au
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Mental Health Services Helpline
1800 332 388
For More Information
Harm Reduction
