Getting high on tobacco can easily lead to dangerous situations as the user loses control over their actions.
Causes of Tobacco Intoxication
Tobacco, scientifically known as nicotiana rustica L, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the tobacco genus (nicotiana) with a very high nicotine content. For a long time, Vietnamese people have had a habit of using tobacco leaves for smoking.
However, many people, especially beginners, have experienced tobacco intoxication.
A person under the influence of tobacco will experience loss of balance, and if they are not seated securely, they can easily fall. Additionally, tobacco users may exhibit symptoms such as foaming at the mouth, nausea, and severe discomfort. There have been numerous cases where individuals have fallen, sustained injuries, or even died due to losing control of their actions while intoxicated from tobacco.
The cause of tobacco intoxication is the high nicotine content in the smoke, which stimulates the central nervous system, causing a feeling of intoxication. The severity of intoxication varies depending on the individual’s health condition.
For a long time, Vietnamese people have had a habit of using tobacco leaves for smoking.
Other Dangers of Smoking Tobacco
Not only does smoking tobacco cause intoxication, but it can also lead to serious long-term health effects for both the smoker and those around them.
Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases
Tobacco smoke contains dangerous elements that can cause myocardial infarction, angina attacks, and cerebrovascular accidents.
Tobacco smoke is partially filtered through water in the pipe; however, the water soon becomes saturated and cannot retain nicotine anymore. A single drop of nicotine is enough to kill a horse, which means that toxins in tobacco smoke, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, gradually accumulate and leave traces on blood vessel walls, causing arteries to narrow and potentially block blood flow.
Causing Respiratory Diseases
Tobacco contains varying nicotine levels that can reach up to 16%, much higher than regular cigarettes (approximately 1%-3%), significantly affecting the respiratory system of both active and passive smokers. When burned, tobacco produces 56 different toxic substances, the most dangerous of which is benzopyrene. Tobacco smoke contains many polonium – 20 radioactive particles emitting alpha particles.
These toxins increase the risk of respiratory diseases in both tobacco smokers and those exposed to its smoke. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), harmful compounds in tobacco can lead to bronchitis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Additionally, tobacco smokers are at a higher risk of developing throat cancer, esophageal cancer, colon cancer, among others. Moreover, tobacco can easily lead to addiction and loss of appetite.
What to Do When Someone is Intoxicated from Tobacco?
If you encounter someone who is intoxicated from tobacco, you should place them in a cool, well-ventilated area, and then gradually help them sit up, giving them small sips of water to help them regain consciousness. Tobacco intoxication can easily lead to fatal outcomes if there is no sober individual present to assist.
Especially if symptoms such as seizures or foaming at the mouth occur, and there are no signs of recovery from intoxication, you should quickly take them to the nearest medical facility for emergency care.
Whether smoking tobacco or cigarettes, both are harmful to health. Therefore, it is essential to quit smoking tobacco and cigarettes to protect the health of oneself and those around.
