Tobacco and tobacco products have been a part of civilisation for thousands of years; for all the negative publicity this product has received over the last 30 or 40 years, there actually are several benefits associated with nicotine. This article will discuss some of the risks, as well as some of the benefits, of using tobacco and/or nicotine.

The first known use of tobacco was within the native tribes of North and South America, as a ceremonial substance, but not recreationally. Upon introduction to European cultures, tobacco’s popularity became widespread. For centuries, tobacco was prized for the medicinal properties contained within the leaves. Even today, nicotine is used in many pharmaceuticals, such as medication for those with ADHD. There are several studies currently in progress studying the benefits this substance can provide for treatment of Alzheimer’s of Parkinson’s diseases. Transdermal nicotine patches for are also being explored as a potential treatment for Down’s syndrome.

Since the introduction of a cross-bred strand of tobacco plant that contains twice the amount of nicotine than “regular” tobacco; the tobacco products of today are much stronger than those of times past. However, even anti-smoking advocates are hesitant to exclusively blame tobacco for these diseases; the fault mostly lies in the additives that companies introduce into their products. The negative effects of tobacco and tobacco products have been widely publicised; cancer, emphysema, heart disease and COPD are all diseases associated with smoking. Smoking by pregnant women has also been linked to low birth weight and premature births.