What it is

Tobacco refers to the dried leaves of the tobacco plant, which is processed into cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, snuff or snus. Tobacco contains nicotine, a poisonous alkaloid to which people can become addicted.

Tobacco is a highly-addictive drug and is known to cause more deaths in New Zealand than any other drug. Every year, 4700 people die from smoking-related causes.

At present, it is estimated that 1.1 billion people smoke worldwide, causing 4 million premature deaths every year. By 2030, it is estimated that tobacco is likely to kill 10 million people each year and to be the world's leading cause of death.

Cigarettes: dried tobacco rolled in paper. Smokers can buy pouches of roll-your-own tobacco or pre-made cigarettes, normally sold in packets of 20 or 25. A cigarette is lit at on end, with the smoker inhaling the smoke through the cigarette from the other end.

Cigars: similar to cigarettes, cigars are often larger in size and made with dried and cured tobacco. The wrapping is made out of larger dried leaves of the tobacco plant.

Chewing tobacco: dried and/or cured tobacco which is chewed

Snuff: finely-ground or powdered tobacco, sniffed through the nose

Snus: moist powder that is often pre-packaged into small pouches, placed between the cheek and jaw

Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 chemical compounds, including cyanide, acetone, DDT, carbon monoxide and ammonia.

Slang
Ciggies, Durries, Smokes, Baccy, Tailors, Chop chop