Final answer:
The claim that it takes at least a year or two to become addicted to cigarettes is false. Nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive and can cause quick addiction, leading to significant health risks and making quitting difficult.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that it takes at least a year or two after you start smoking to become addicted to cigarettes is false. Nicotine, the psychoactive drug found in tobacco, is highly addictive and can lead to addiction very rapidly. The addictive nature of nicotine is comparable to that of drugs like heroin and cocaine. Studies have shown that nicotine addiction can establish itself relatively quickly after an individual starts smoking.
It's also noted that smoking causes a substantial number of health risks, including an increase in the likelihood of developing various cancers, notably lung cancer. Moreover, smokers have a significant risk of dying earlier compared to non-smokers, and the effects of nicotine addiction complicate the process of quitting. Nevertheless, cessation of smoking leads to considerable reduction in health risks associated with smoking.