Are some SLU Students Dependent on Nicotine? 

The new wave of addiction among young adults seems to be the use of different nicotine products. Why are some of the youths in America addicted to flavored air? Apparently, it’s because these devices create a nicotine buzz, also referred to as a “nic-buzz,” that supposedly makes the user feel a sense of pleasure. However, these devices are highly addictive and the youth that are using them are becoming more dependent on them.  

St. Lawrence University Chemistry Professor Dr. Amanda Oldacre stated, “nicotine is known as a neurotoxin. It effects the brain chemistry and binds to our dopamine receptors, which have a response that increases the dopamine in our system and makes us feel good, essentially.” Students at St. Lawrence who consume different forms of nicotine, whether that means your typical cigarette, e-cigarettes, or a new fad of using nicotine pouches, are becoming more dependent on these devices and are more susceptible to nicotine’s effects.  

Peer pressure, different social circles, and parties where there is alcohol consumption to the point of altering decisions, seem to be reasons as to why young adults use different forms of nicotine, according to Dr. Oldacre. Even nowadays, when the rate of college-aged youth smoking is decreasing, the rates of students using nicotine alternatives is increasing. SLU Associate Professor of Biology Karin Heckman said, “my SYE students conducted a survey of SLU students in the fall of 2018 and learned that 61 percent of respondents had used e-cigs.”  

Alternatively, a form of nicotine consumption that is becoming increasingly popular around campus is called Zynning. A Zyn is a small pouch with flavored chemicals, as well as a high concentration of nicotine inside of them, ranging from three milligrams to six. Those who use this form of consumption will place the pouch inside of their mouths, specifically their upper lips—commonly referred to as “upper-deck-lip-pillows.” Zyns seem to be responsible for more of the dependence that SLU students have on nicotine.  

University of Buffalo professor and nicotine dependence researcher Dr. Gary Giovino commented that “there is a lot of evidence indicating addiction in adolescents.” Dependence can start as early as a month into using any form of nicotine. 

The flavors of nicotine products can also play a role in the person’s ability to quit. Giovino states, “menthol products can be more difficult to quit than regular flavored devices because there is more nicotine being distributed to the lungs.” There are so many assorted flavors of devices, pouches and e-cigarettes, like peach mango watermelon, mango, blue raspberry, and different Zyn flavors include coffee, cinnamon and many more. The different flavors that these products provide become appealing to those who are using them. 

Big companies like Juul, a brand that markets, sells, and distributes e-cigarette devices, offer appealing advertising marketed specifically towards younger generations. “They call it vaping and vape because they want you to think that it is water vapor, but it isn’t, it’s an aerosol mixture of a lot of chemicals,” said Giovino.  

Dr. Oldacre says, “we must educate our students on the effects of nicotine, especially the long-term effects of nicotine use and abuse.” If students do not understand what they are inhaling or absorbing through their gums, then they will not know the long-term effects of using nicotine. It is possible to quit, however, it takes dedication.