The Facts About Tobacco

Nicotine Naturally occurring addictive substance Enters bloodstream and travels to the brain in less than 10 seconds. Effects brain cells responsible for memory and mood control. Stays active for minutes.

Nicotine Immediate Effects Increases heart rate Blood vessels constrict Lower skin temperature “Head rush” Long-Term Effects High blood pressure Blockage of blood vessels Reduced effectiveness of immune system Wrinkling of skin

Cigarettes Lighter-colored leaf used in America Combined with “tobacco sheet” Various additives added Nicotine is extracted and added back in controlled amounts for consistency

Cigarettes 95% in U.S. are filtered. “Lights” have filter vents to dilute smoke with fresh air, but these are blocked by fingers or lips. Menthol produces a cool, numbing sensation in the throat.

“Refreshing” Chemicals in Tobacco Smoke Nicotine – bug spray Ammonia – window cleaner Formaldehyde – preserves dead bodies Cyanide – rat poison Acetone – fingernail polish remover Methanol – rocket fuel Carbon Monoxide – car exhaust

Spit Tobacco Chewing Tobacco Loosely packed, bricks, ropes Leaves cut in strips Wad placed between cheek and gum towards back of mouth Dip Leaves cut very fine Pinch placed between lower lip or cheek and gum

Chemicals in Spit Tobacco Nicotine - Addictive drug Polonium 210 – Nuclear waste Formaldehyde – Embalming fluid Nitrosamines – Cancer-causing chemicals Cadium – Found in car batteries Lead – Nerve Poison

Spit Tobacco Not a Safe Alternative Each tin or package has as much nicotine as 30 – 40 cigarettes. Spit has 10 times the amount of nitrosamines found in cigarettes.

Cigars and Pipes Media influence and social acceptance have made them popular again. Contain the same deadly chemicals and nicotine as other forms of tobacco. Most chemicals and nicotine are absorbed by the lining of the mouth and throat.

Cigars and Pipes Pipe tobacco is often combined with sugar, honey, and other flavorings to enhance its taste and smell. The secondhand smoke from one cigar equals the amount from three cigarettes. The carbon monoxide released from a cigar is 30 times higher than a cigarette.

Bidis, Beedies, Beadies Contain crushed tobacco leaves hand- rolled in Tendu leaves. Sold in different flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, cinnamon, and chocolate. Sell for 10 cents a pack in India and considered “poor man’s cigarette”; cost around $3 in the U.S. and are considered “trendy”.

Bidis, Beedies, Beadies Contain up to 8% nicotine compared to 1%-2% in American cigarettes. Unfiltered bidi releases 3 to 5 times more tar than regular cigarettes. Bidi smoke contains more chemicals such as ammonia and carbon monoxide than regular cigarette smoke.

Bidis, Beedies, Beadies In 1999, 2.4% of middle school students and 5% of high school students are current bidis smokers. --(MMWR, January 2000)