Nicotine products

Nicotine, an invisible but powerful trap

Nicotine is an alkaloid derived mainly from the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum). It is a powerful neurotoxin with psychotropic and stimulating effects in humans. It is mainly consumed by inhalation in tobacco products (cigarettes, vaping products), but other forms of consumption have emerged in recent years, such as chewing tobacco and nicotine pouches.

It is the nicotine contained in these products that is responsible for addiction.

Regular consumption leads to increasing tolerance in users, forcing them to increase the dose to satisfy their craving. This mechanism perpetuates a cycle of addiction.

There are numerous direct health effects: increased heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure, increased risk of heart attack, damage to the coronary arteries.

Increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Toxicity to the foetus in pregnant women.

In young people whose brains are still developing, the effects are even more worrying: memory impairment, attention, mood and sleep disorders, decreased energy and increased risk of multiple addictions.