Repeated use of nicotine leads the body to become accustomed and adapt to its effects quickly, which significantly increases the risk of dependence. A young person’s developing body is particularly sensitive to the effects of nicotine, and signs of dependence may appear even after limited, irregular use.
Through the lungs – as when smoking cigarettes – nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the brain rapidly. From the oral mucosa – for example when using snus or nicotine pouches – nicotine is absorbed more slowly, but blood nicotine levels remain elevated for a longer period. Menthol acts not only as a flavouring but also as an additive that enhances nicotine absorption.
Nicotine has immediate toxic effects if swallowed or if larger amounts come into contact with the skin or eyes. The high nicotine content of nicotine products, attractive packaging and flavourings may increase the risk of poisoning, especially among children. Contacts to the Poison Information Centre related to nicotine pouches have increased significantly.
The effects of nicotine on the brain and health
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that rapidly affects the central nervous system. It is efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs and the oral mucosa. Nicotine also has acute toxic effects, places strain on the heart and circulatory system, and likely increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
Exposure to nicotine at a young age may cause permanent changes in brain structure and function. These changes can lead to long-term attention deficits and increase the risk of nicotine dependence, anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the use of other substances.
Nicotine disrupts glucose metabolism and reduces insulin sensitivity and may therefore increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. There is evidence that nicotine may contribute both to the transformation of cells into cancer cells and to facilitate the growth and increasing of transformed cells, thereby sustaining the development of cancerous tissue.
Nicotine affects health during pregnancy, both for the mother and the unborn child. Nicotine levels in the fetal bloodstream may be higher than in the mother’s circulation. Nicotine has harmful effects on the brain development of the fetus and the child after birth. Nicotine exposure during pregnancy is associated with the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in youth.
In new nicotine products, such as nicotine pouches and so-called vapes, nicotine levels may be considerably high. Many of these products contain nicotine salts, synthetic nicotine and additives that enhance nicotine absorption or effects. Also in snus, the nicotine levels might be high.
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe, which makes quitting difficult. To promote health, quitting tobacco and nicotine use is always beneficial.
Tobacco and nicotine products
Daily smoking has long been declining, and gender differences in smoking have narrowed, but smoking is still slightly more common among men than among women.
Health Foresight provides insight into possible development trends in chronic diseases and the costs of health services
The service describes how morbidity would develop in the wellbeing services counties in different scenarios related to smoking, alcohol consumption and obesity.
Area-level sociodemographic differences in tobacco availability examined with nationwide tobacco product retail licence data in Finland (Tobacco Control 2024)
Lower area-level sociodemographic composition was mainly associated with higher tobacco availability. Income was the strongest correlate of the tobacco retailer availability.
Reducing the number of tobacco outlets supports smoking cessation
A distance of more than 500 metres from home to a shop selling tobacco increases the likelihood of quitting smoking successfully.