Tobacco Smoking tobacco in any way (cigarettes, cigars, hookah) is bad for your health. Large companies use the media to persuade people into thinking that smoking is cool and okay, but it can lead to cancers, other diseases, and even death.

Chemical Found In: carbon monoxidecar exhaust tarmaterial to make roads arsenicrat poison ammoniacleaning products hydrogen cyanidegas chamber poison cyanidedeadly poison acetonenail polish remover butanecigarette lighter fluid DDTinsecticides formaldehydeto preserve dead bodies sulfuric acidcar batteries cadmiumused to recharge batteries freondamages earth's ozone layer geranic acida fragrance methoprenea pesticide maltitola sweetener not permitted to be used in foods in the U.S. There are over 4,000 different chemicals in tobacco smoke What’s in a Cigarette?

Why do People Smoke? Why To look “cool” or more mature As an experiment Relieve stress But in Reality… Smoking can cause premature aging and cancers. That’s not cool!! Even experimenting is dangerous because smoking leads to addiction Studies show stress levels of smokers are actually higher than non-smokers

Why do People Smoke? Why Weight control But in Reality… People who smoke gain just as much weight as non-smokers over the years. Smoking among people who are already overweight can lead to increased health risks. Bottom Line: The nicotine in cigarettes is addictive and a hard habit to break

Why Stop Now? Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of preventable death Smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, the most common cancer among men and women in the US People who smoke are 6 times more likely to have a heart attack than non-smokers

Q UITTING & H EALTH Within: – 20 minutes your blood pressure will drop to normal – 8 hours your oxygen levels are normal – 48 hours sense of taste and smell are back – 1 year your risk for heart attack is half – 5 years risks of stroke is back to a non-smoker – 10 years risk of lung cancer is back to a non-smoker – 15 years your risk for heart attack is back to normal

Q UITTING – Many different ways: o On your own (COLD TURKEY) o Educational counseling o Group o Individual o Online o Hypnosis o Stress-management training o NC Quitline: QUIT-NOW – Nicotine Placement Therapy o Patch o Gum o Lozenge o Inhaler (need a prescription) o Nasal spray (need a prescription) Many different ways: – Medications o Bupropion o Varenicline – While some may stop smoking for a short period of time, many return to smoking within 6 months – Follow-up sessions are helpful – Having support from family and/or friends is also very important

Ready to Quit? The Center for Wellness has resources to help you quit smoking Students may see a Health Educator to discuss a quit plan, withdrawal symptoms, and nicotine replacement products. Visit the website: