Choosing a Nicotine-Free Present and Future

Nicotine is highly addictive—more addictive than caffeine or cannabis. Even small amounts of nicotine can lead to dependence, especially for youth. Young people are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction as their brains are still developing. A few puffs of a cigarette or vape, or trying someone’s Zonnic pouch, could lead to lifelong addiction.

Nicotine reaches your brain in just 7 seconds, releasing dopamine (the “feel-good” chemical). But the feel-good effects fade fast, leaving you craving more nicotine. Over time, your body gets used to having nicotine regularly, and your cravings become stronger and more frequent, creating a cycle of nicotine addiction.

Learn more about nicotine addiction on our Learn About Nicotine page.
 

Nicotine affects every system in the body. Nicotine raises your heart rate and blood pressure and can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases like heart disease and stroke. Nicotine may also increase your risk of certain types of cancer and of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Nicotine use is especially harmful for young people, as their brains are still developing until around age 25. Exposure to nicotine during this critical period can cause lasting damage to areas of the brain responsible for attention, memory, learning, and impulse control. It may also worsen symptoms of ADHD, depression, anxiety, and other challenges related to mental well-being and learning in young people.

Did you know? Nearly 1 in 4 youth in BC have tried vaping by Grade 10. Early exposure significantly increases the risk of long-term nicotine addiction.

When pregnant people use nicotine, it can affect the health of their developing baby. Nicotine may increase the risk of low birth weight, developmental delays, and other complications in babies. Nicotine use by either parent can also be toxic to the reproductive system, affecting fertility and making it more difficult to conceive.

It is hard to avoid nicotine when it is all around you. If your friends or colleagues vape, your favourite celebrity smokes, or there’s a store selling nicotine pouches near your school, you’re more likely to try a nicotine product.

Young people are especially vulnerable to social pressure and are wired to take risks and experiment as their brains are still developing. When youth are repeatedly exposed to nicotine products and see them as normal, they’re more likely to try them and risk lifelong nicotine addiction. 

Examples of normalization include:

• Watching parents, siblings, or other role models smoking or vaping
• Seeing celebrities or influencers use nicotine on social media
• Seeing nicotine products in their favourite shows or movies
• Youth-friendly packaging of products like nicotine pouches and vapes

Youth can also get addicted to nicotine more easily than adults. 9 out of 10 people who smoke regularly started when they were young. In Canada, one third of youth aged 15-19 have tried vaping. Early exposure to nicotine significantly increases the risk of addiction.

Nicotine use is an equity issue. The nicotine industry has spent decades perfecting how to target socially and economically disadvantaged populations. They have used targeted ads, giveaways, ambassadors, and event sponsorships to hook people in these populations on their products: 

• 2SLGBTQ+ communities, portraying nicotine use as part of queer identity or community belonging
• Indigenous populations, often linking nicotine use with cultural imagery or values*
• People with mental health or substance use challenges, promoting nicotine as a tool to “take the edge off” or relieve symptoms

*It’s important to note that traditional and ceremonial uses of tobacco in many Indigenous communities are sacred and distinct from commercial nicotine products. Our focus here is on preventing harm from industrially produced and marketed nicotine products that target disadvantaged populations.

One of the tobacco industry’s most damaging messages is that nicotine helps with stress. For years, nicotine products have been marketed as a way to “unwind,” “focus,” or “calm your nerves.”

Plus, nicotine’s effects on your body (faster heart rate, higher blood pressure) actually increase stress in your body.

The tobacco industry has used this false claim to target people experiencing trauma, discrimination, or challenges to their well-being, encouraging them to use nicotine as a form of stress relief. Understanding this cycle can help you break free from it and explore healthier, more sustainable ways to manage stress. Read more about managing stress on our Mental Health page.