Why is smoking so hard to quit?
There are two aspects related to smoking: the addictiveness of smoking and the withdrawal symptoms that arise when a smoker tries to quit. Nicotine is addictive Nicotine, the drug found in tobacco, is found to be as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Smokers develop a psychological and physiological dependence on this habit-forming drug. • Nicotine gives the smoker pleasurable feelings inducing him to smoke even more. • The regular smoker smokes mainly to maintain the level of nicotine in his body. • Over time, the body develops a tolerance to nicotine, which leads to an increase in the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking cessation causes withdrawal symptoms Reducing the cigarette intake or quitting abruptly causes a break in the steady supply of nicotine to the body, which craves to maintain existing levels. This usually happens in regular and heavy smokers. When a person stops abruptly, withdrawal symptoms occur, including: • Mood swings, irritability, frustration, and anger • Dizzines
