The effects of Cigarette & Cigar smoking on the painted wall.
Nicotine is an addictive substance present in tobacco products such as cigarettes, e-cigarettes, hookah tobacco and cigars.
According to Wikipedia, it is “widely used recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic”.
Recently my client’s tenants of three years moved out of the apartment. The lease clearly stated that no smoking was allowed, yet, the house reeked of cigarette and cigarette butts were everywhere.
The tenant had the audacity to inquire about security deposit refund.
Prior to move in, the apartment was freshly painted bright white, new laminate flooring were installed along with new appliances.
Due to the high demand for tenancy, the apartment was immediately rented as soon as vacant.
The hard work was to paint the entire interior whilst figuring out how to get rid of that strong cigarette smell which was deeply embedded in the floors, walls, appliances and even the exteriors.
A remediation specialist had to be called in.
✅Take a look at the image in the blog. There you’ll see a side by side picture of the walls before and after occupancy.
There were brown stains all over the house on every wall and ceiling. This, the elderly neighbor informed us was due to heavy smoking inside for an extended period. The new prospective tenants concurred.
Immediately my mind and thoughts went to “I can’t imagine what their lungs look like”.
✅One of the admission screening required in the hospital is for Nicotine use. Patients must be educated about the detrimental effects of Nicotine use and offered a nicotine patch or another alternative in an attempt to wean them off. Nicotine is considered to be a drug…a stimulant drug.
Common side effects of Nicotine are:
- Decreased appetite. Many women smoke cigarettes in an attempt to remain skinny. (Bad idea)
- Elevated mood (the stimulant effect)
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure and respiratory rate
- Irritability, nervousness, sweating
- Hardening of arteries potentially leading to heart attacks.
- Jitteriness
- Seizures
- Addiction
- Death
The brown oily stains on the wall were due to the oily yellow liquid in the nicotine.
Research says that Nicotine is present in the saliva, urine, blood and breast milk. The toilets in this house reeked of cigarette smell.
The addictive nature of Nicotine alters the brain’s function and leads to craving, Since the pleasure sensation only last for about 2 hours, this leads to more craving to get that rush or high feeling.
Nicotine overdose can lead to death, but it is said that the most dangerous side effect is it’s addictiveness.
This addictive nature of nicotine often leads to a desire for higher doses to get that high.
✅It’s never too late to make the decision to make the decision to stop smoking. If you’re a cigarette, cigar, e-cigarette or hookah user, make the decision to stop 🛑.
It’s not easy, but it’s possible‼️ Change begins with a mindset and a decision to change. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be beneficial. Speak to your medical provider to see what your options are. It’s never too late to try!
Marva Riley, RN Author
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