ABSTRACT
The tobacco industry markets and sells tobacco, a harmful substance that causes disease and death across the world. This chapter outlines how the industry came to have and then maintain its influence. Today it sells smoking, smokeless and heated tobacco products which harm health, contribute to inequalities in health and cause early death. The chapter outlines some of the psychosocial reasons for consuming tobacco and the role of nicotine, an addictive substance, but one which can be helpful in the short term when trying to quit using tobacco. The chapter discusses the pros and cons of non-tobacco products such as vaping with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and nicotine-replacement therapy. The chapter concludes by providing a time-line of the health benefits which come from giving up tobacco, including nicotine, altogether.
