1. How does smoking cause you to feel a "buzz"?

The vaporized gas from the drug burning is inhaled into the lungs, which goes to the blood stream. When this happens, it contaminates the blood with the drug, and this contamination spreads to the brain quickly. As soon as it hits, the brain sets off neurotic reactions that cause the body to feel good. This is because there are chemicals in the brain that are similar to it, the drug, that cause happiness and a good feeling. These are called dopamines and endorfins. These are natural chemicals released at the correct times, when its deserved, but not the drug. It's fake. These things are just so you can "feel good" while you become addicted and buy more for the good feeling.

2. What do all the other ingredients in cigarettes and cigars do? What are their purposes?

Well, there are many hundreds of chemicals and other ingredients involved in the cigarettes. There are reasons for many of these, which tobacco companies try to conceal. Like acetone, a horrible chemical to be inhaling, for instance. They don't give reasons for why they put them in there, but we suspect it may be there to help keep addiction levels up. We have ammonia and propilene glycol, chemicals that help your body take in more nicotine, the most active ingredient in tobacco, and these for sure cause the addiction to be stronger. The others are yet to be explained, but are definetely bad ingredients, that cause all kinds of diseases. Benzoaprine, for instance, is a highly dangerous and powerful cancer-causing carcinogen. All these chemicals are horrible on the body, these are trashing the body, so don't ever try it... you'll do yourself a big favor.

3. What type of prevention tips would you recommend?

First of all, if you can, stay away from it completely. This is far and away the best way to do it. There are malls, restaurants, and movie theaters, ect... that are smoke free. Aim for those types of public places, and you'll avoid second hand smoke. Also, if you have friends that smoke, which you probably do or will when you get a little older, in the low twenties, then just say that you don't smoke. They'll probably accept it. If you don't smoke already, which you said you didn't, (I don't, that's good:)then try your best to stay away. Too many people die from it to make it at all worthwhile. It isn't like it's worthwhile anyway, but still. So keep away from it. Another thing, don't just think to yourself that you won't be asked at some point, so have at least something ready.


Professor of behavior science and psychiatry, Ph.D. Phillipe Cunningham
(843) 876-1800 business phone