A NICOTINE LESSON FOR S.C. TEENS

The common thread between nicotine, cocaine and most other addictive
drugs is their ability to manipulate the brain's dopamine delivery
system, creating actual physical dependency. Although the
intoxicating effect or high produced by a drug can pose an immediate
and substantial risk of harm, a drug's intoxicating properties have
little to do with its ability to addict and create permanent physical
dependency. Cocaine's dependency rate is about 15 percent, while
nicotine's addiction rate is above 75 percent. In other words,
nicotine is five times more addictive than cocaine.

In May 1988, the U.S. surgeon general reported that nicotine was
"highly addictive in the same manner as heroin and cocaine." Thirteen
years later, almost all addiction scientists rank nicotine at or near
the top of the list of the world's most addictive substances. Still,
there is little warning of this fact given to our teens.

Yes, cocaine destroys dreams, health and life, but so does nicotine.
It is the most highly addictive over-the-counter legal drug on the
planet, and it permanently alters the brain.

The amount of nicotine necessary to create dependency varies, but it
can occur within days and after only a few uses. The brain actually
grows permanent new receptors to process increased levels of
nicotine, so as to ensure a steady output of dopamine. Even if users
quit, they are essentially on probation for life. Upon relapse, they
quickly return to their old level of nicotine (--) or higher.

About 85 percent of nicotine addicts became addicted before their
18th birthday. Once dependent, the brain's dopamine circuits (--) not
the user (--) determine mandatory feeding times. When a mild urge is
generated, users have only two choices: They can either smoke and
immediately elevate their falling blood nicotine level, or they can
ignore the command and throw themselves into full-blown nicotine
withdrawal.

Withdrawal symptoms can include intense anxiety, stress, nausea,
headaches, an inability to concentrate, shaking, anger, depression,
difficulty sleeping, general irritability and serious wall climbing.
Although both physical and psychological withdrawal peak at 72 hours,
physical symptoms can persist for up to two weeks, and anxiety
attacks are common for eight to 12 weeks.

The roller-coaster of nicotine highs and lows ranges from the "ahhh"
feeling (which occurs within eight seconds of a puff) to minor
depression as the blood's nicotine level hits bottom. Recent studies
conclude that smoking is generating chronic long-term depression in
teenagers. We've long known that nicotine is the gateway drug, but
we're just now beginning to understand why.

Although not an efficient killer itself, nicotine is normally
delivered through a cigarette, the dirtiest drug delivery device ever
devised by man. Each cigarette spews forth more than 4,000 chemical
compounds and contains 44 known cancer-causing agents.

Nicotine addiction will lead to more than 439,000 deaths in the
United States this year. That's equivalent to 87 years of cocaine
deaths or 26 years of all illegal drug deaths combined. Imagine five
Vietnam War death tolls each year.

Tobacco is the only legally sold product that when used as directed
kills 50 percent of all regular customers. This year alone, more than
200,000 middle-aged smokers will die an average of 22.5 years early.
With such high death rates, the only way tobacco companies can stay
in business is by addicting the next generation.

Nicotine doesn't need to become your problem, but it won't be easy to
stay clear of either. The CDC reports that 41 percent of S.C. ninth-
through 12th-graders are using tobacco.

It is legal in South Carolina for a 10-year-old to carry nicotine, to
use it in public and to addict other 10-year-olds. Bills are pending
in the General Assembly to make teen tobacco possession illegal, but
the tobacco lobby hands out lots of money to key politicians, and we
know what that means.

Mr. Polito, a Summerville smoking cessation instructor, is the
founder of www.WhyQuit.com and Freedom from Tobacco, an on-line
support group.