Nearly 12 million French people smoke daily, reveals this Wednesday a study by Public Health France. And while 60% of them say they want to quit, a substance prevents them from doing so: nicotine. But where does it come from? And what impact does it have on our brain? Europe 1 takes stock.
A coffee, a break with colleagues, a drink with friends and a common gesture for 12 million French people: lighting a cigarette. On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, Public Health France reveals that almost one in five French people smokes daily. Six out of ten smokers say they want to quit their butts for good. But quitting smoking is no small feat. Nicotine is a very, very addictive substance. Where is she from? Europe 1 has looked into the matter.
It was a French chemist, Louis-Nicolas Vauquelin, who discovered nicotine in tobacco leaves in 1809. But this substance is named after Jean Nicot, who introduced tobacco to France and who, in the 16th century, was the first to send tobacco to Queen Catherine de Medici. Nicotine is mainly present in tobacco leaves, but also in those of eggplant or cauliflower.
An addiction similar to cocaine
In our body, once inhaled, nicotine reaches the brain in barely ten seconds. In the pleasure-related area of dopamine, the feel-good hormone is then released. Over time, the body gets used to it and smokers smoke more. Weaning then becomes extremely difficult. Moreover, nicotine would have the same addictive effect as cocaine.
Source: Europe1
I’m a journalist who covers health care news. I’ve been working in the news industry for more than 6 years. I have experience writing for print, online, and television. My work has been published by various news websites and magazines.
