Unraveling the Deception: The Real Danger Lies in Smoke, Not Nicotine, Unveiling the Truth Behind Tobacco-Related Deaths
Busting the Nicotine Drop Myth: A Closer Look at Smoking's Harmful Components
For decades, society has been bombarded with the ostensible fact that "a drop of nicotine kills a horse." Yet, as reported by Zakon.kz, this statement, widely utilized in anti-smoking campaigns, is nothing more than a fabrication, traced back to unscientific data from the early 20th century.
Pharmacologist Bernd Mayer, in his work "How much nicotine kills a person? Common misconceptions about the lethal dose or the results of questionable self-experiments in the 19th century," exposed the sham behind this misinformation. Essentially, the myth was born from isolated, uncritically reproduced self-experiments, later regurgitated without question for millions. Remarkably, Soviet anti-smoking propaganda even depicted the lethal drop of nicotine killing rabbits, with the myth evolving over time, transforming rabbits into horses. In the 1959 comedy "Spring Violins," a character offering a cigarette humorously quips, "But keep in mind - a drop of nicotine kills a horse." Since then, the misconstrued, ironic response to anti-smoking propaganda has morphed into a perceived "medical fact."
"The dose makes the poison"
This adage by medieval Swiss physician Paracelsus applies universally. Nicotine is not the culprit in smoking-related ailments. It is not a carcinogen and causes dependence but does not bring about the harmful effects of smoking directly. The true peril stems from the constant bodily influence of combustion products found in cigarette smoke, such as tar, carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and other hazardous compounds.
Cardiologist, MD, PhD, and independent accredited expert in cardiothoracic surgery, Kuat Abzaliev, has highlighted that nicotine replacement therapy has been safely utilized by people for years, as nicotine isn't responsible for the harmful effects of smoking.
Scientific studies reveal that the toxic aerosol produced by a single cigarette contains over 7,000 chemical compounds, 250 of which are toxic and 69 are carcinogenic.
Alternative Solutions
Recent research published in The Journal of Internal and Emergency Medicine compared the toxicological effects of smokers and users of heat-not-burn products, nicotine patches, and gum. Unexpectedly, the levels of toxic substances in the body of the latter group were on par with those who have completely ceased smoking.
The fight against tobacco smoke should focus not only on restrictions but also on discovering less harmful alternatives. In this light, heat-not-burn products — with their aerosol being 95% less harmful than tobacco smoke — present a promising step forward in the battle against smoking.
Cardiologist and doctor of medical sciences Kuat Abzaliev emphasizes the need to target the combustion process, not nicotine, in our fight against tobacco smoke. As it stands, the harmful nicotine drop myth persists as a glaring example of a widespread misconception about the hazards of smoking.
Cigarette Smoke: A Toxic Cocktail
Cigarette smoke's concoction of chemical compounds presents a significant threat to human health. Here are some of the key ingredients and their contributions to smoking-related diseases:
- Nicotine: Highly addictive, nicotine poses risks but is not directly responsible for smoking-related diseases. Its addictive nature, however, persists exposure to other perilous chemicals in tobacco smoke.
- Carbon Monoxide: This substance, found in cigarette smoke, can reduce oxygen delivery to tissues, potentially exacerbating cardiovascular conditions and increasing the risk of heart disease.
- Carcinogens: Harmful chemicals like benzene, acrolein, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in cigarette smoke and are known carcinogens. They increase the risk of cancer by causing DNA mutations.
- Free Radicals and Oxidative Agents: These chemicals lead to oxidative stress, which can damage tissues and increase the risk of various conditions.
- Particulate Matter: Ultrafine particles in smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of respiratory diseases like COPD and lung cancer.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): These hazardous substances, including benzene, can cause health problems.
The toxic mixture of chemicals in tobacco smoke is responsible for the high incidence of smoking-related health issues, making smoking the leading cause of preventable deaths and diseases worldwide.
- The persistent myth that a drop of nicotine can kill a horse, often used in anti-smoking campaigns, is rooted in fraudulent data from the early 20th century.
- According to pharmacologist Bernd Mayer, this myth stems from uncritically reproduced self-experiments in the 19th century, a finding exposed in his work, "How much nicotine kills a person?"
- Cardiologist Kuat Abzaliev highlights that nicotine replacement therapy, though containing nicotine, has been proven safe for those looking to quit smoking.
- Recent research shows that using heat-not-burn products, nicotine patches, or gum yields similar levels of toxic substances in the body compared to those who have completely stopped smoking.
- The deadly cocktail of chemicals in cigarette smoke, including carcinogens, carbon monoxide, free radicals, and particulate matter, contribute significantly to smoking-related diseases like heart disease, cancer, COPD, and lung cancer.
- In the battle against tobacco smoke, it's crucial to focus on reducing the harmful combustion process, not just targeting nicotine, to promote health and wellness, mental health, nutrition, fitness-and-exercise, and minimize the risks of medical-conditions and cancer.
