JOURNAL Sometimes it is easy to tell if someone is a smoker. List 5 characteristics a smoker possesses.

TOBACCO

What is tobacco?? Tobacco is a plant that grows in warm and humid climates. The leaves of the tobacco plant are dried and aged for 2-3 years and then mixed with a lot of chemicals.

What is in Tobacco??? Nicotine -an addictive drug found in tobacco leaves and products. Addictive - capable of causing the user to develop intense cravings It takes nicotine 7 seconds to reach the brain and cause stimulation. The feeling lasts for 30 minutes after cigarette is done.

What is in Tobacco??? Tobacco and tobacco smoke contain approximately 4,000 chemicals. Over 200 of them are known to be dangerous to humans. The following 3 are the most dangerous.

What is in tobacco cont…. Tar dark, thick, sticky liquid that forms when tobacco burns. Tar leaves behind a residue that destroys Cilia-tiny hair like structures that protect the lungs. Tar also destroys air sacs in the lungs, making breathing very difficult. This can lead to emphysema, other lung diseases, and cancer.

JOURNAL List 5 reasons why you think people smoke.

What is in tobacco cont…. Carbon Monoxide - A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that forms when tobacco burns. Carbon monoxide passes through the lungs and into the bloodstream. It reduces the amount of oxygen the blood cells can carry. This will weaken muscles and blood vessels which can lead to a heart attack and stroke.

Cigarettes Forms of Tobacco: The most common form of tobacco Cigarette smokers are at risk for emphysema, heart disease, cancer, infertility, and stroke. 5.6 trillion cigarettes are produced by tobacco companies each year, amounting to nearly 900 cigarettes for every man, woman and child in the world.

Cigars Contain the same dangerous substances as cigarettes but in larger quantities. 1 large cigar is equal to 1 pack of cigarettes (20) Cigar smokers are 4-10x more likely to contract cancer of the mouth, larynx (voice box) and esophagus. They are also at a high risk for heart disease.

Pipes Uses loose tobacco Pipe smokers are more likely to contract cancer of the lip, mouth, and throat.

Chewing Tobacco (Smokeless Tobacco) nicknames are chew, spit, or snuff. Smokeless tobacco has been linked to cancer of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, stomach, and pancreas. It also stains the teeth, causes tooth loss and gum disease. Many people believe chewing tobacco is safer then cigarettes because the user does not inhale. NOT TRUE!!!!!!

Specialty Cigarettes Bidis- flavored unfiltered cigarettes from India. Bidis contain pure tobacco with 7 times the nicotine and 2 times the tar as regular cigarettes. Cloves- cigarettes from Indonesia. Cloves contain tobacco and ground cloves.

Tobacco and Appearance: premature wrinkles yellow teeth yellow fingernails raspy voice smoker’s breath clothes and hair smells like smoke. frequent coughing cracked lips