Let's delve into a topic that raises many questions and debates – nicotine. What is this substance, how does it affect our bodies, and what types of nicotine exist? We will also look at how cigarette manufacturers and marketers use nicotine to create attractive offers, and why it is so difficult to break free from this component.

What is nicotine? Why do we so easily fall into its trap?

Nicotine is an alkaloid* found in tobacco that causes strong addiction. Its chemical formula is C₁₀H₁₄N₂. This molecule may seem simple at first glance, but it has a complex mechanism of action on the body. After you inhale cigarette smoke, nicotine enters the lungs and then reaches the brain within seconds through the bloodstream. There, it acts on neurotransmitter receptors, particularly on specific acetylcholine receptors. As a result, dopamine — the "pleasure hormone" — is released.

This dopamine "rush" involuntarily makes you feel pleasure and relaxation, creating the illusion that smoking helps cope with stress or pressure. But this is only temporary relief. The body quickly becomes accustomed to nicotine's effects, requiring more and more to achieve the same effect. Over time, addiction forms and begins to control your life.

Additionally, the brain adapts to the constant stimulation from nicotine and starts producing less of its natural or "own" dopamine, reducing sensitivity to it. This leads to experiencing less pleasure from everyday activities such as eating, socializing, or physical exercise. As a result, a smoker reaches for a cigarette not to gain pleasure but to avoid discomfort from the absence of nicotine. This vicious cycle makes nicotine addiction very difficult to overcome.

*Alkaloids are a group of natural organic compounds that contain nitrogen and have a strong physiological effect on the body.

TYPES

The main types of nicotine for smoking are freebase nicotine, nicotine salts, and tobacco-free nicotine (TFN).

Freebase nicotine

Freebase Nicotine is the traditional form of nicotine found in cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and many vape liquids. This type of nicotine feels harsher on the throat when inhaled, especially at high concentrations. It is a form of nicotine that is quickly absorbed into the body, providing an immediate effect.

Nicotine salts

Nicotine Salts are primarily used in vape liquids. They are easier to inhale as they irritate the throat less, allowing for higher concentrations to be used. This makes them particularly popular among vape users who want to get more nicotine with fewer puffs.

Tobacco-Free Nicotine (TFN) is a synthetic nicotine that is not extracted from the tobacco plant but is chemically synthesized. TFN is purer compared to traditional nicotine as it does not contain tobacco impurities. It is used in some vape liquids where purity and the absence of the distinct tobacco flavor are important factors.

Tobacco-Free Nicotine (TFN)

VAPE VS CIGARETTES

Traditional Cigarettes

Form of Nicotine: In regular cigarettes, nicotine is part of the tobacco, which undergoes combustion during smoking. This process creates numerous chemical compounds, including toxins and carcinogens.

Nicotine Content: The amount of nicotine in cigarettes varies depending on the brand and type of tobacco. Typically, a cigarette contains about 1-2 mg of nicotine, though this can vary.

Delivery Method: Nicotine enters the body through the smoke inhaled during smoking, which is accompanied by the inhalation of many other harmful substances.

Electronic Cigarettes (Vapes)

Form of Nicotine: In electronic cigarettes, nicotine is present in the e-liquid (or vape juice). This liquid can contain varying concentrations of nicotine, typically ranging from 0 to 50 mg/ml.

Nicotine Levels: The nicotine level can be adjusted depending on the e-liquid used. They come in low, medium, and high nicotine concentrations.

Delivery Method: Nicotine in electronic cigarettes is converted into vapor, which is then inhaled. This process is considered less harmful compared to traditional cigarettes, but it still poses significant health risks.

Form of Nicotine: In IQOS and similar heated tobacco devices, nicotine is present in tobacco sticks or capsules that are heated rather than burned. This heating process releases nicotine and other components without combustion.

Nicotine Levels: The nicotine content is similar to traditional tobacco products but can vary depending on the brand and type of tobacco used in the device.

Delivery Method: The nicotine is delivered through the vapor produced by heating the tobacco, which is inhaled. This method is marketed as less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes because it avoids combustion, but it still carries health risks.

IQOS (and Similar Heated Tobacco Devices)

HEALTH

Respiratory System

Chronic Bronchitis: Continuous exposure to tobacco smoke causes inflammation of the airways, leading to persistent coughing and difficulty breathing. This condition can be accompanied by frequent infections, fatigue, headaches, and sleep problems.

Emphysema: This disease is characterized by the destruction of alveoli—air sacs in the lungs—which significantly reduces their ability to absorb oxygen. Lower oxygen levels in the blood can cause persistent fatigue, dizziness, numbness in parts of the body, and even loss of consciousness.

Lung Cancer: Smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer. Carcinogens in tobacco smoke can alter the DNA of lung cells, leading to uncontrolled growth. This can result in chest pain, coughing up blood, and significant weight loss.

Nervous System

Addiction: Nicotine creates a strong dependency that can lead to prolonged withdrawal periods and symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, and nervousness. This can also be accompanied by panic attacks and difficulties with concentration.

Impact on Neurotransmitters: Nicotine alters the brain's chemical balance, affecting dopamine levels and other neurotransmitters. This can contribute to the development of depression and anxiety disorders, leading to depressive thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, reduced motivation, and sleep problems.

Cognitive Functions: Research shows that smoking can accelerate age-related decline in cognitive functions, including memory and learning abilities. It can also induce a constant sense of stress, affecting mental health and potentially leading to headaches, numbness in parts of the body, and problems with concentration.

Cardiovascular System

Increased Blood Pressure: Nicotine constricts blood vessels, causing the heart to work harder and faster to pump blood throughout the body. This reduced blood flow to the brain can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and tinnitus

Atherosclerosis: The toxic substances in tobacco smoke damage blood vessel walls, promoting the formation of cholesterol plaques that narrow blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes. This condition can also be accompanied by chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or even panic attacks.

Increased Risk of Thrombosis: Smoking raises the risk of blood clot formation, which can obstruct blood vessels and lead to serious complications like deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Symptoms may include leg pain, shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, heart attacks or strokes.

MARKETING

The Secret of Marketing: How Tobacco Companies Create Addiction

Tobacco company marketers are true masters of manipulation. They understand human psychology and use this knowledge to trap us into smoking. From glamorous advertising campaigns to movies where the main characters always have a cigarette in hand, the tobacco industry creates an image of smoking as stylish, desirable, and even essential.

In advertisements, smoking is often portrayed as a way to "calm your nerves, " "escape problems, " or "be cool." They play on our fears and emotions, making us believe that a cigarette is the best way to find balance or enhance social status. But the truth is quite different. Smoking is not a symbol of freedom or strength; it is a trap that takes away health and true happiness.

So, let's examine some key aspects of marketing

Unique Packaging

Tactile Sensations: Tobacco companies often choose special materials for packaging that feel pleasant to the touch, such as matte or textured surfaces, adding a sense of premium quality. This tactile element becomes part of a ritual, as smokers begin to associate the feel of the pack with something enjoyable.

Auditory Cues: For example, the sound of opening a cigarette pack or the soft click of a lighter can create a specific ritualistic character. These sounds are reinforced by positive associations.

Opening and Using as an Important Ritual

Packaging Design: Tobacco companies often design packaging to require a specific sequence of actions for opening: lifting the lid, taking out a cigarette, and then inhaling. This process becomes an essential part of the personal ritual, and smokers begin to derive pleasure not just from smoking itself, but also from the preparation.

Tightly Packed Cigarettes: The tight arrangement of cigarettes in the pack also creates a sense of order and system. This ritual can be calming or even enhance the emotional connection to the smoking process, as each cigarette seems to be "in its place."

Ensuring Ritual Accessibility

Personalized Approach

The Psychology of Ritual

Creating a Habit: The ritual associated with smoking contributes to the formation of a habit, and nicotine use is considered one of the strongest addictions, bolstered by marketing efforts. When smoking becomes a ritual, it deepens both emotional and physical dependence. The cigarette pack becomes more than just a container for the product—it becomes an integral part of daily life.

Range of Ritualistic Moments: From the very first moment a smoker grabs the pack to the last puff of smoke, every step can be perceived as part of a ritual. Marketers highlight these "ritualistic" moments to create an emotional connection and further reinforce the sense of control and satisfaction.

Customized Packs: Marketers sometimes capitalize on the desire for individuality by offering cigarettes in unique designer packaging or with personalized messages. This allows smokers to feel that their ritual is special and distinctive.

Creating Small Packages: Tobacco companies produce compact packs for convenience, allowing smokers to keep their ritual readily accessible at all times.

Target Audience

Packaging Design: Bright and attractive cigarette packaging is designed to appeal not only to adults but also to younger audiences.

Flavored Cigarettes: The use of flavors such as mint or vanilla attracts young consumers, as these products seem more appealing and less harmful.

is smoking freedom or deception?

Are we deceiving ourselves by believing that smoking provides us with freedom, style, or calm? Every puff of smoke is both a symbol of independence and a manifestation of dependence. While one might see themselves as the master of their actions, can they truly put down a cigarette without inner trembling? Perhaps this act only appears to be a free choice on the surface, while deeper down, it is the result of an imposed ritual.

Marketing as a Form of Modern Slavery

Marketers—are they truly demonic geniuses of manipulation or just experienced engineers of human desires? They skillfully use psychological techniques to convince us that each time we light a cigarette, we are making a choice ourselves. But is it really our choice if it is driven by external influences and ingrained thought patterns?

The Idea of Ritual

Rituals, since the dawn of humanity, have been a way to structure life and provide meaning to everyday actions. However, in the case of smoking, this ritual becomes artificial, imposed from the outside. It no longer serves our spiritual development but rather reinforces dependence, turning us into prisoners of habits that feed the market.

Genius or Stupidity?

In this context, an important philosophical question arises: where is the line between the genius of marketers and human weakness? On one hand, we might admire how precisely and skillfully manipulation mechanisms influence our subconscious. On the other hand, it also raises doubts about our own wisdom and rationality. Perhaps we are not as independent as we think if we are so easily pushed into actions that contradict our common sense.

Final Thought

So, is every time you smoke an act of self-deception? Smoking may appear as an individual choice, a ritual, or a form of self-expression, but does this "choice" not turn into hidden slavery? Marketing skillfully weaves its threads into our thinking, so the question is not just how genius they are, but also how much we allow ourselves to be deceived.