Cigarette Smoking and Neurological Disorders: From Exposure to Therapeutic Interventions

Tobacco smoking is a major global health problem that kills millions of individuals annually and is responsible for many preventable deaths. Cigarette smoke is accompanied by several harmful effects on human health. Tobacco smoke consists of many toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Human beings are exposed to tobacco smoke by smoking or using tobacco products or by inhalation of tobacco smoke from the environment. Nicotine is a major component of tobacco which exerts neurotoxic effects and is responsible for morphological and neurobiological changes in brain resulting in various neurological diseases. Smoking is a major risk factor for many non-communicable diseases. These can be prevented by reducing smoking and introducing lifestyle changes. Moreover, smoking cessation programs are of utmost importance to reduce the risks associated with cigarette smoke. Several behavioural and pharmacological interventions can be adapted to mitigate the harmful effects of smoking. Moreover, limiting the exposure to passive smoke is also of paramount importance to minimize its harmful effects.