must bear some of the social cost (increased insurance premiums and various tax burdens) of death and disability brought about by the use of tobacco.The tobacco plant is believed to have originated in the Western Hemisphere. The cultivated species most often grown for North American and European tobacco products is Nicotiana tabacum. The leaves of the plant are prepared for smoking, chewing, or sniffing. In addition nicotine tobacco contains over 19 known carcinogens (most collectively known as "tar") and more than 2,000 chemicals.Prior to European influence in the Americas, tobacco was used by the Indians of Mexico and Peru for ceremonies, medicinal purposes, and to alleviate Error! Bookmark not defined. pangs during famines. Columbus is credited with introducing tobacco into Europe. Tobacco use became widely accepted by the Portuguese, Spanish, French, British, and Scandinavians. Explorers and sailors who became dependent upon tobacco began planting seeds at their ports of call, introducing the product into other parts of Europe and Asia.EFFECTSNicotine has both stimulant and depressant effects upon the body. Bowel tone and activity increases along with saliva and bronchial secretions. Stimulation of the Error! Bookmark not defined. may cause Error! Bookmark not defined. in the inexperienced user, or even Error! Bookmark not defined. with high doses. Stimulation is followed with a phase that depresses the Error! Bookmark not defined. muscles. As a euphoric agent, nicotine causes arousal as well as relaxation from Error! Bookmark not defined.. On the average, tobacco use increases the Error! Bookmark not defined. 10 to 20 beats per minute, and it increases the Error! Bookmark not defined. reading by 5 to 10 millimeters of mercury (because it constricts the blood vessels). Nicotine may also increase Error! Bookmark not defined. (Error! Bookmark not defined.), Error! Bookmark not defined., and Error! Bookmark not defined. because of its ...
