SMOKING

TOBACCO

TOBACCO Tobacco is a tall, leafy annual plant, originally grown in South and Central America, but is now cultivated worldwide. There are many species of tobacco and the species Nicotiana tabacum is the specific plant used to produce cigarettes.

TOBACCO Tobacco contains a drug called NICOTINE. Nicotine is the addictive agent in cigarettes and it is the drug responsible for the smoking habit that so many people have.

NICOTINE Nicotine is a central nervous system STIMULANT. Due to its highly addictive properties, it can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include: depression, irritability, anxiety, and craving for more nicotine.

TOBACCO Tobacco smoke contains “tar”, which is the name given to the solid particles found in smoke. About 90 % of the content of cigarettes is plant material, but the other 10 % is a combination of known poisons and cancer- causing substances, called carcinogens.

WHAT’S IN A CIGARETTE? Have you ever wondered what cigarettes are actually made of? Many of the ingredients found in cigarettes are found on shelves in your garages – in fertilizers, pesticides, and other poisons. There are over 4000 different chemicals in cigarettes!

WHAT’S IN A CIGARETTE? At least 50 of the chemicals found in cigarettes can cause cancer (tar, ammonia, carbon monoxide, benzopyrene, etc.). In Canada, approximately 1/3 of all cancer-related deaths is due to lung cancer. Smoking is a major cause of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and lungs.

EFFECTS OF SMOKING

Short-Term Effects Heart rate and blood pressure go up Faster breathing Dizziness Vomiting Reduced fitness and athletic ability

Long-Term Effects Cancer (lung, mouth, throat) Respiratory disease Heart attack Stroke Stomach ulcers

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Tobacco use is the leading cause of PREVENTABLE disease and death in Canada! Smoking can cause heart disease, strokes, and can severely damage blood vessels.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Smoke causes the heart to have to work harder. It decreases the amount of oxygen that is carried in the blood, increases the heart rate and decreases the size of blood vessels. These symptoms can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or sudden death.

Videos “award winning anti-smoking commercial” Y7yfw Y7yfw ctiveness.htmhttp:// ctiveness.htm

ACTIVITY List 5 reasons why teenagers start smoking. List 5 reasons why teenagers might say “no” to smoking.