Smoking

Habitual inhalation and exhalation of smoke from burning tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes) or other plant material, resulting in systemic nicotine exposure and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and malignancy.

Causes / contributing factors

• Nicotine addiction: Neurochemical reward pathway activation

• Psychological factors

  • Stress management

  • Anxiety relief

  • Psychological triggers

• Social and behavioral factors

  • Social conditioning

  • Peer influence

  • Cultural normalization

  • Habit formation