Chapter 20, Lesson 1 The Health Risks of Tobacco Use
Health Risks of Tobacco Use About 23% of high school students and 10% of middle school students are current smokers About 1/3 of children and teens who try cigarettes become regular smokers About 9.9% of high school boys and 1.2% of high school girls use smokeless tobacco
All forms of tobacco contain chemicals that are dangerous to your health Addictive drug – stimulant Nicotine Tar Carbon Monoxide Smokeless Tobacco Carcinogen Leukoplakia Harmful Effects – long- and short-term Other consequences…
Addictive Drug - A substance that causes physiological or psychological dependence Nicotine - An addictive drug found in all tobacco leaves (used in all tobacco products) Stimulant - A drug that increases the action of the central nervous system, the heart, and other organs ( blood pressure, heart rate) Carcinogen - A cancer-causing substance (same poisonous compounds found in rat poison, paint, and toilet cleaner)
Tar- A thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns (how does this cooperate with your pink, healthy lungs?) Carbon Monoxide - A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas (deprives body tissue and cells of oxygen – how do you breathe?) Smokeless Tobacco - Sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed (sometimes called “spit” – absorbed into blood through mucous membranes) Leukoplakia - Thickened, white, leathery-looking spots on the inside of the mouth; can develop into oral cancer
Short-term and Long-term effects Brain chemistry changes Chronic Bronchitis Respiration and Heart rate increase Emphysema Taste buds are dulled/appetite reduced Lung cancer Bad breath and yellow teeth Coronary heart disease Smelly hair, skin, clothes Weakened immune system
Other Consequences of Tobacco Use Costs to society In U.S., lost work/productivity - about $165 billion/year Cost to individual One pack a day ($4-$11 approx.) for 1 year = ? Legal consequences Selling cigarettes to someone under age 18 is illegal. Using tobacco products on school campus will lead to suspension.
Chapter 20, Lesson 2 Choosing to Live Tobacco-Free
Teens and Tobacco Why do some teens begin to smoke? Actually… falsely think it will help control weight cope with stress seem more mature and independent Actually… …smoking reduces capacity to physical activity (leads to weight gain) …nicotine dependency leads to stress levels …Media influences behaviors; is it glamorous or make you look cool?
Reduced Tobacco Use Among Teens Tobacco Legislation– 1998 legal settlement restricting tobacco advertising aimed at young people; also required to fund ads that discourage smoking No Smoking policies – limited smoking areas (restaurants, airports, public places) Family Values– if parents don’t smoke more than likely you won’t either Positive Peer pressure – healthy role models Health risks – knowledge is power; understanding about diseases and health problems
Benefits of Living Tobacco-Free Better cardiovascular endurance and lung function Improved fitness level and athletic performance Reduced risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke Improved mental/emotional state – not dependent on drug – sense of freedom! Less stress (less worry) More confidence in social situations You look and feel better!!
Chapter 20, Lesson 3 Promoting a Smoke-Free Environment Tobacco Chapter 20, Lesson 3 Promoting a Smoke-Free Environment
Health Risks of Tobacco Smoke Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) – also known as “second- hand smoke” is air contaminated by tobacco smoke mainstream smoke - smoke exhaled from lungs of a smoker sidestream smoke - smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar Which type of smoke is more dangerous? Why?
ETS from cigarettes, pipes, or cigars contain more than 4,000 chemical compounds, 50 of those are carcinogenic (cancer-causing) Second-hand smoke causes about 3,000 deaths from lung cancer each year. ETS causes eye irritations, headaches, ear infections, coughs; it worsens asthma and other respiratory problems and increases coronary heart disease
Health Risks to Unborn Children and Infants Smoking during pregnancy: impaired fetal growth spontaneous miscarriage prenatal death premature delivery low birth weight deformities stillbirth SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) severe asthma attacks, ear infections, respiratory tract infections Nicotine passes through placenta (constricting blood vessels) Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen levels in the blood
Health Risks to Young Children Children of smokers: higher levels of poor overall health more sore throats, ear infections, upper respiratory problems slows lung development (weaker lungs) children learn by example… ETS (second hand smoke)
Creating a Smoke-Free Society Healthy People 2010: reduce tobacco use and related deaths In most states, it is illegal to sell tobacco to teens (under 18 years of age); illegal to smoke in public places Community activities that promote healthy lifestyles Encourage others to avoid tobacco use