Know the Score - Info & Advice on Drugs In Scotland

Nicotine

Category: Stimulant/depressant

Also known as: (Contained in tobacco) fags, ciggy

What it looks like and how it's taken: Cigarettes, pipes, cigars, loose tobacco, chewing tobacco. Is smoked or chewed.

Immediate effects: Acts fast, first increasing alertness then producing a sense of relaxation.

Risks:

Short term: Nicotine addiction can develop quite rapidly and regular smokers often feel anxious and irritable if unable to smoke. Smoking can restrict growth in young people.

Long term: Other chemicals in tobacco cause lung cancer and stomach diseases, heart disease, circulation problems, wrinkled skin and premature ageing.

Legal status: It is illegal for retailers to sell tobacco to anyone under 18.

Associated paraphernalia: rolling papers, filters.

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