Nicotine is Not the Problem
June 21, 2024 by rstreet.org
Nicotine is Not the Problem
Smoking, not nicotine, is the primary cause of death. Nicotine itself, when delivered through alternatives to smoking like e-cigarettes, carries significantly lower health risks. Research shows potential benefits of nicotine in preventing diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, improving cognitive function, promoting wakefulness, aiding weight loss, and reducing inflammation. While nicotine can trigger addiction, its abuse potential is lower when administered non-combustibly. In healthy adults, risks of nicotine use are akin to caffeine. Different nicotine products vary in risk, with combustible tobacco being most harmful. Encouraging smokers to switch to non-combustible nicotine products is crucial in reducing smoking-related deaths and addressing misconceptions about nicotine use.