We are going to discuss the topic surrounded by many questions and debates, which is nicotine. What exactly is this substance, how does it affect our bodies, and what types of nicotine exist? We will also look at the promouting strategies used by the cigarette manufacturers in order to create attractive offers. Especially, why it is so challenging to break free from this component.

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

Nicotine is alkaloid* found in tobacco that causes strong addiction. Its chemical formula is C₁₀H₁₄N₂. Generally, this molecule looks simple, but it is responsible for difficult chemical processes that take place in our bodies. When you inhale cigarette smoke, nicotine enters the lungs and then reaches the brain through blood within seconds. There it acts on neurotransmitters, particularly on specific acetylcholine receptors. As a result, dopamine, also known as the "hormone of pleasure", is released.

This dopamine "rush" involuntarily makes you feel satisfied and relaxed, creating the illusion that smoking helps to cope with stress or pressure. However, this is only a temporary relief. The body quickly becomes accustomed to aftereffects of nicotine, requiring more and more of it to reach the same pleasure. Over time, addiction is formed and so, begins to control your life.

Moreover, brain adapts to the constant external nicotine stimulation and starts producing less of its natural or "own" dopamine, reducing sensitivity to the hormone. As a result, a person feel less pleasure from basic activities such as eating, socializing, or physical exercise. Therefore, a smoker reaches for a cigarette not to actually be satisfied, but rather to avoid discomfort from the absence of nicotine. This vicious cycle makes nicotine addiction extremely 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 vaping liquids. This type of nicotine feels harsher on the throat when inhaled, especially at high concentrations. Additionally, this form of nicotine is quickly absorbed into the body, providing an immediate effect.

Nicotine salts

Nicotine salts are commonly used in vape liquids. They are easier to inhale as they don`t irritate the throat that much, allowing for stronger concentrations to be consumed. 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 leaves, but is chemically produced. TFN has smaller number of different chemicals compared to traditional nicotine, as it does not contain substances related to tobacco. It is used in some vape liquids where purity of nicotine and the absence of the distinct tobacco flavor are decisive 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.

Method of Intake: Nicotine enters the body through the inhaled smoke during smoking, along with 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 within the range of 0 to 50 mg/ml.

Nicotine Levels: The nicotine level can be adjusted because of the e-liquid used. There might be low, medium, and high nicotine concentrations in vapes.

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

Form of Nicotine: In IQOS and similar devices, nicotine is contained in the special tobacco sticks or capsules, that are heated rather than burned. High temperatures allow for nicotine and other components to be released without combustion.

Nicotine Levels: The nicotine content is similar to traditional tobacco products, but can change because of the brand and type of tobacco used in the device. One tobacco stick usually contains 0,8-1,0 mg of nicotine.

Method of Intake: The nicotine is released by heating the tobacco, not by burning it. This is considered less harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes, because it does not involve 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, resulting in abstinence syndrome and symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, depression, and nervosity. Panic attacks and difficulties with concentration are also common, when you have an addiction.

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 negative thoughts, feeling of hopelessness, declined motivation, and problems with sleep.

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

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 people. From glamorous campaigns to movies, where the main characters always have a cigarette in hand, the tobacco industry creates a stylish, desirable, and even essential image of smoking.

In advertisements, smoking is often presented as a way to "calm your nerves", "escape problems," or "look cool." They use our fears and emotions, making us believe that a cigarette is the best way to find life balance or enhance social status. But the truth is quite the opposite. Smoking is not a symbol of freedom or strength, it is simply 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 an 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 that later require a specific sequence of actions in order to open it. Starting by 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 close arrangement of cigarettes in the pack also creates a sense of order and system. This kind of ritual can calm down or even enhance the emotional connection to the process of smoking, as each cigarette seems to stay "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 the nicotine consumption is considered to be one of the strongest addictions, especially thanks to the market forces. When smoking becomes a ritual, it strengthen both emotional and physical need of the chemical. So, the cigarette pack becomes more than just a container for the product. It becomes an essential part of a daily life.

Variety of “Ritualistic” Moments: From the very first moment when a smoker grabs the cigarette pack, to the last puff of smoke, every step can be perceived as part of a ritual. Marketers highlight these "ritualistic" moments in order to create an emotional connection and further make a stronger feeling of control and satisfaction.

Customized Packaging: Marketers sometimes take advantage of the individual desires by offering cigarettes in unique designer packaging or with personalized messages. This allows smokers to feel that their ritual becomes even more special and distinctive.

Creating Small Packages: Tobacco companies produce compact and convenient packs, allowing smokers to keep their ritual perfectly accessible at all times.

Target Audience

Packaging Design: Bright and attractive cigarette packaging is designed to attract not only adults, but also younger audience.

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

is smoking a freedom or a deception?

Are we deceiving ourselves with beliefs that smoking gives us freedom, style, or calmness? Every puff of smoke is both a symbol of independence and a manifestation of dependence. One might consider themselves as the master of their actions. However, can this person truly just put down a cigarette without inner trembling and doubts? Perhaps, this whole thing only looks like an easy choice, while on a deeper level, it is the result of an imposed ritual.

Marketing as a Form of Modern Slavery

Are we deceiving ourselves with beliefs that smoking gives us freedom, style, or calmness? Every puff of smoke is both a symbol of independence and a manifestation of dependence. One might consider themselves as the master of their actions. However, can this person truly just put down a cigarette without inner trembling and doubts? Perhaps, this whole thing only looks like an easy choice, while on a deeper level, it is the result of an imposed ritual.

The Idea of Ritual

From the dawn of mankind, rituals have served as a way to explain life and provide a meaning for everyday actions. However, in the case of smoking, this ritual becomes artificial, introduced from the outside. It no longer serves for spiritual growth, but rather create bigger addiction, turning us into prisoners of habits to feed the market.

Brilliance or foolishness?

At this point, an important philosophical question arises. Where is the line between the brilliance of marketers and human weakness? On one hand, we might admire the idea of how accurately 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 can be that easily pushed to actions, which go against the common sense.

Final Thought

So, is it an act of self-deception every time you smoke? Smoking may appear as an individual choice, a ritual, or a form of self-expression. However, does this "choice" not turn into obedience? Marketing proffesionals skillfully influence the way we think. In the end, the final question is not just how genius these people are, but also how much society allows itself to be deceived.