The active ingredient in this product is nicotine, a clear to pale-yellow oily liquid that is a natural ingredient of tobacco. Tobacco smoke also contains smoke solids, called tar, and the gases carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Puffing brings a smoke-air mixture into the mouth. Inhaling moves it to the lungs, where nicotine contacts blood. Circulating blood brings nicotine to the brain.
Some brain cells have a chemical nature that causes nicotine from blood to attach.
This changes how chemical-electrical connections between these and other brain cells work. The effects have been described as pleasure, reward, a better mood, stimulation, increased attention and improved performance at some tasks. These effects come fast. Starting at the puff, nicotine arrives at the brain in about ten seconds. That is faster than if it were injected in a vein.