For thousands of years, people have smoked or chewed the leaves of the tobacco plant, Nicotiana tabacum. Tobacco was first found and cultivated in the Americas, perhaps as early as 6000 B.C.

Following the discovery and colonization of North and South America, the tobacco plant was exported widely to continental Europe and the rest of the civilized world.

Even in its early days, tobacco use was controversial. Some hailed its medicinal properties, but as early as the 1600s, people speculated that there might be a link between diseases like cancer and tobacco use. Since then, modern research methods have provided plenty of evidence to support this link.

What is it about tobacco that so compels people to use it despite all of the evidence of harmful effects? Smoking or chewing tobacco makes people feel good, even mildly euphoric. While there are thousands of chemicals in the tobacco plant (not to mention those added by cigarette manufacturers), just one, nicotine, produces all of the good feelings that draw people back for another cigarette or plug of tobacco.

Tobacco & Nicotine Basics

How Nicotine Works

HowStuffWorks is an online publishing company and a reliable source for clear, unbiased, reliable explanations of how many, many things actually work. How Nicotine Works offers an in-depth discussion of nicotine the drug and how it affects the body and mind.

Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS)

TIPS is a division within the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, one of the centers within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The site provides research, data, reports, educational materials, and guides to help quit using tobacco products.

TTAC: Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium College Tobacco Prevention Resource

The College Tobacco Prevention Resource (CTPR) provides practical information, ideas, and guidance to assist college leaders with planning, implementing, and evaluating effective campus tobacco policies and programs.

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) NIDA Research Report Series: Nicotine Addiction

NIDA brings the power of science to bear on issues of drug abuse and addiction. This NIDA research paper on nicotine addiction provides a thorough examination of the drug nicotine, how it works, medical consequences, and other relevant topics.

Smoking Cessation

Surveys have shown that the majority of smokers - at least 70% and perhaps as high as 90 % - want to stop smoking, yet the successful quit rate remains very low. No more than 20% of those who embark on a course of treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnosis, or acupuncture succeed in abstaining for as long as a year, and only around 3% succeed in quitting using willpower alone. It takes most smokers several (and in some cases many) attempts to quit before they finally succeed.

Quitters Smoking Cessation Program

University Health Services offers a four-week Quitters smoking cessation class free to UT students and for a modest fee to UT faculty and staff.

Quitters uses a systematic, multi-method approach, combining several different techniques that, when used together, have been shown to be much more effective than when used alone. Quitters classes are facilitated by a qualified professional, and class size is limited to ensure individual attention.

Class participants:

• Determine their own individual level of nicotine dependence and its implications for successful smoking cessation
• Use a brand-switching technique that helps break strong habits and reduce withdrawal symptoms
• Explore nicotine replacement therapies and prescription medications to minimize the intensity of withdrawal and increase chances of success
• Practice relaxation techniques to provide a smooth transition from "smoker" to "nonsmoker"
• Discuss effective ways to control cravings and avoid excessive weight gain
• Learn habit-busting coping strategies that help new nonsmokers remain smoke-free

For more information about and a schedule of classes, click the link below

Smoking Cessation Websites

The following websites are all good resources for smokers who want to quit, new non-smokers, and individuals wanting to help a smoker succeed at quitting. They offer helpful tips, information, social support, diversions from cravings, and reinforcement for one of the best decisions a smoker can make - to quit smoking.

QuitNet: Quit All Together

QuitNet is a an excellent resource for smoking cessation information and support. It features a "Q-Gaget" that keeps track of the number of days you have added to your life, the amount of money you've saved, and the number of cigarettes that you have not smoked since you quit. It also offers chat rooms and bulletin boards.

Quit Smoking Support.com

This site provides quit smoking help, support, advice, products, and information, including bi-weekly e-mails with smoking cessation tips, a weekly newsletter, and a chat room.

Smokefree.gov

Smokefree.gov is managed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a department of the National Institutes of Health. NCI is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The site provides an online step-by-step cessation guide, information on local, state, and national telephone quitlines, an instant messaging service, and numerous publications that may be downloaded, printed, or ordered.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women's Health The National Women's Health Information Center

This site is a specialty section of womenshealth.gov, the federal government's primary resource for women's health information. It provides comprehensive health risk and smoking cessation information specifically for women.

Nicotine Anonymous

Nicotine Anonymous is a Non-Profit 12-Step fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all who seek freedom from nicotine addiction, including those already using other cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids. The fellowship offers group support and recovery using the 12 steps as adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to achieve abstinence from nicotine.

University of Texas at Austin Nonsmoking Policy

The University of Texas at Austin nonsmoking policy is detailed in The University of Texas Revised Handbook of Operating Procedures, Part 2. Campus Services, Section A. General Campus Policies, Policy Number: 2.A.2.

The policy, which applies to all faculty, staff, students, and visitors of The University of Texas at Austin, states that smoking is not permitted in any University-owned or leased buildings or vehicles, including hallways, classrooms, offices, restrooms, meeting rooms, indoor or open-air athletic facilities (including Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium, Disch-Falk Field, and the Frank C. Erwin Center), performance halls, and all other spaces in University-owned or leased buildings or vehicles.

Smoking areas are permitted outside University facilities provided that these areas are located far enough away from doorways, windows, and ventilation systems to prevent smoke from entering buildings and facilities. In general, this is at least 20 feet from any gate, entryway, arch, doorway, and common path of travel, air intake or open window.

The entire policy is located on the official website of The University of Texas at Austin.