How Much Nicotine is There in a Cigarette?

Lots of people want to know the amount of nicotine in a cigarette, and the reasons are plenty. The cigarette can be considered as a 'chemical volcano', because it is harmful and slow in its effect like a volcano.

There are many harmful chemicals in it, like nicotine, cyanide, acetone, lead, chloroform, carbon monoxide, arsenic, etc., and the list is just too big. However, among all these harmful chemicals in a cigarette, one of the most harmful and life-threatening is nicotine.

Nicotine is naturally found in tobacco. One drop of purified nicotine on the tongue can kill a person. The concentrated form can be used as a potent insecticide. One can now definitely imagine what effect it must be causing on the body of a person who smokes. It acts as a stimulant, and chewing or inhaling it makes people feel good and euphoric.

Inhaling it through a cigarette is the worst of all the addictions. Long back, people used to hail nicotine for its medicinal properties, however, its use was always controversial. There is an obvious relation between cancer and nicotine, and it is absolutely correct to call it a slow poison.

A normal-sized cigarette contains a harmful percentage of this chemical, and smoking is the most common way of getting it into the body. It directly harms the nervous system when it enters the brain through the blood cells, so it is the root cause behind various diseases like cancer, heart, lung, and liver disorders.

The content of nicotine in a cigarette is generally measured in a unit called mg (milligram). Its content varies as per the brand of cigarette. It has been found that an average-sized cigarette in the US contains 9 mg of nicotine.

However, as the cigarette is burned and smoked by the person, out of this amount, only 1 mg or less than it is ingested into the person's body. This amount is not that dangerous, but if a person is a heavy smoker, the consequences can be fatal.

The nicotine and other chemicals then enter the body in the form of smoke, and within a few seconds they are in the brain. It can also enter the body through the mucous lining of the mouth and the nose, and through the skin as well. One cigarette is definitely not going to cause permanent damage to the person, but its regular use can be detrimental. 

Smoking - it is easy to start but very difficult to leave. The amount differs as per the brands and amount of nicotine added. But generally, the percentage is around 2 to 3 percent (considering all the contents) or higher.

Nicotine is an antidepressant, and if taken in large doses, can lead to many harmful effects. Its effects include the following:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Increase in blood pressure
• Changes in the heart rate
• Narrowing of blood vessels
• Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, flatulence, and dyspepsia

If one is a chain smoker, quit smoking for the best. Even if there are no visible side effects, remember that it is a slow poison, and one is aware what a poison does to a living being.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.