Tobacco Use

Cigarette Smoke Cigarettes Contain 4000 different chemicals Contain 43 known carcinogens Cyanide, formaldehyde, and arsenic Also contain poisonous chemicals used in insecticides Paint, toilet cleaners, antifreeze, and explosives

A Toxic Mixture Secondhand smoke is considered a Group A carcinogen –most dangerous class Tar – a thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns Destroys cilia- tiny hair like structures that protect against infection Damages air sacs – absorb O2 and rid the body of C02 Destroys lung tissue – making lungs less able to function Damages lungs = bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, and cancer

A Toxic Mixture Cont… Carbon Monoxide – colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas Found in cigarette smoke Replaces oxygen in blood which remove the tissues and cells of oxygen Increases risk or high blood pressure, heart disease, and hardening of the arteries

Pipes and Cigars Present major health risks Cigars contain significantly more nicotine and produce more tar and carbon monoxide than cigarettes do 1 cigar contains as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes Increased risk of developing cancers of the lip, mouth, and throat

Smokeless Tobacco The two main types of smokeless tobacco in the United States are chewing tobacco and snuff. Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco use can cause cancer, oral health problems, and nicotine addiction. Chewing tobacco comes in the form of loose leaf, plug, or twist Snuff is finely ground tobacco that can be dry, moist, or packaged in sachets

Smokeless Tobacco Continued…. Cancer Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). Smokeless tobacco is a known cause of human cancer; it increases the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity. Oral Health Smokeless tobacco is also strongly associated with leukoplakia—a precancerous lesion of the soft tissue in the mouth that consists of a white patch or plaque that cannot be scraped off. Smokeless tobacco is associated with recession of the gums, gum disease, and tooth decay. Nicotine Addiction Smokeless tobacco use can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence. Adolescents who use smokeless tobacco are more likely to become cigarette smokers.

Teen Tobacco Use Rates of smoking among teenagers are still higher than those of adults Heavily influenced by: TV, movies, advertising, and by what their friends do and say Don’t think much about the future

Teens and Tobacco Nearly all first use of tobacco occurs before high school graduation 54% of high school students had tried cigarette smoking at some point People who do not start using tobacco when they are teens never start using it Almost 90% of adult smokers became addicted to tobacco at or before the age of 18

Teens and Tobacco Continued…… Common health problems teenagers experience including coughing shortness of breath production of phlegm respiratory illnesses reduced physical fitness poorer lung growth and function

Teens and Tobacco Continued…… Only 3 out of 100 high school smokers think they will be smoking in 5 years Studies show - 60 out of 100 will still be smoking 7 to 9 years later Each Day More than 4,000 teens try their first cigarette 2,000 become regular, daily smokers 1000 will eventually die from a smoking-related disease

Teens and Tobacco Continued…… Tobacco users are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs than are nonusers Tobacco Users are also: more likely to get into fights & Carry Weapons suffer from mental health problems such as depression and attempt suicide

There is hope Twelve hours after quitting, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. One year after quitting, your added risk of heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.

There is hope Ten years after quitting, your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s. Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.

In Minnesota In October 2007, all Minnesota workplaces went smoke-free, including bars and restaurants. Fewer young adults (18-24-year-olds) are smoking today. The percentage of Minnesota young adult smokers dropped from 37 percent in 2003 to 28 percent in 2007.

In Minnesota There are now 164,000 fewer adult smokers in Minnesota than in The Minnesota adult smoking rate is at an all-time low of 17 percent below the national average.