In 2006 the National Survey on Drug Use and Health stated that about 73 millions people in America, ages 12 and older,had used tobacco within 30 days of the survey. The National Institute on Drug Abuse funded a study in 2007 called Monitoring the Future Study shows that 7.1% of 8th graders, 14% of 10th graders and 21.6% of 12 graders had smoked cigarettes. Many of these kids had also tried smokeless tobacco products in the month of the survey. It is clear that teen smoking is a problem in our country.
Nicotine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. This happens whether the user smokes, chews or inhales the product. The NIDA claims that a smoker usually takes 10 puffs of a cigarette every five minutes that the cigarette is lit. Which ultimately means that about 1.5 packs of cigarettes daily equals 300 "hits" of nicotine daily.
Nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands and releases the hormone epinephrine. This hormone effects the central nervous system and causes an increase in blood pressure, respiration and increased heart rate. Nicotine also effects the pancreas and the level of insulin so typically smokers have chronic elevated blood sugar.
