Smoking Grade 9 Health: Substance Abuse

What do you already know? True or False 1.Nicotine in cigarettes causes cancer. NICOTINE IS A LIQUID 2.The tar in cigarettes causes addiction. 3.Cigarette smoking can lead to heart disease. 4.Over 1000 people die each day from smoking. 5.9 out of 10 people with lung cancer will die.

6.Being in a smoke-filled room for one hour is the same as smoking one cigarette. 7.Smoking pipes and cigars is less dangerous than smoking cigarettes. 8.Smoking during pregnancy is safe. 9.Cigarette smoking kills more people each year than all the deaths due to AIDS, heroin, crack, cocaine, car accidents, murder, fire, and alcohol combined

10.Nicotine is just as addictive as morphine, heroin and cocaine. 11.Main effect of nicotine is to slow down the cardiovascular system and promote relaxation. 12.Nicotine is used commercially as a weed killer. 13.It takes a while for nicotine to get to the brain.

1. FALSE – Nicotine causes addiction 2. FALSE – Tar causes cancer 3. TRUE 4. TRUE 5. TRUE 6. TRUE 7. FALSE 8. FALSE 9. TRUE 10. TRUE 11. FALSE – Nicotine is a stimulant 12. TRUE 13. FALSE – Nicotine goes directly to the brain, within 10 seconds of inhaling, and causes an immediate reaction How did you do?

What’s wrong with smoking? It’s addictive – 8 out of 10 teens who try smoking get hooked It’s expensive – the average teen smoker spends $1000 / year on cigarettes Only 5% of smokers think that they will be smoking in 5 years, BUT the reality is, 5 years later, 80% of them are heavy smokers It’s harder to find a date – 8 out of 10 guys and 7 out of 10 girls say they would not date someone who smokes

It wrinkles your skin and makes it dry and leathery It causes zits It causes some hair loss It turns your teeth yellow, causing tooth decay and eventual oral cancer It can cause lung cancer and heart disease It gives you bad breath It makes your clothes smell Cont’d…

What is in cigarette smoke? 1. Carbon Monoxide Gas that enters the bloodstream Reduces ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen Causes shortness of breath and may impair vision, hearing and judgment

What is in cigarette smoke? 2. Tar Sticky, resin-like particles that collect in the lungs Coats the lungs air sacs so oxygen and carbon dioxide cannot be exchanged Can produce cancer Each pack of cigarettes = 1 quart of tar

What is in cigarette smoke? 3. Nicotine A stimulant Takes 7 seconds for nicotine to reach brain after a puff Highly addictive

The Nicotine Clock After 10 mins: Just thinking about a cigarette After 20 mins: “I wouldn’t mind a cigarette” After 30 mins: “I want a cigarette” After 40 mins: “I have to have a cigarette soon” After 50 mins: “I can’t stand it! I must have a cigarette NOW!” After 1 hour, has a cigarette: “Cigarettes are so relaxing” Smokers think that cigarettes relax them, but it’s mostly because they are hooked on the drug nicotine

Tobacco Warning Labels In 2000, labeling requirements were changed on cigarette boxes to increase awareness of health problems associated with smoking A cigarette box now must contain: Graphic health warnings Toxic emissions statement Health information messages

Possible Graphic Health Warnings

Toxic Emissions Statement Cigarette boxes are required to print information on the emission levels of six toxic chemicals Nicotine Tar Carbon monoxide Formaldehyde Benzene Hydrogen cyanide

Health Information Message Inside of a cigarette pack, there is an informative message about smoking i.e:

Second-hand Smoke Smoke that is exhaled by a smoker and inhaled by others Contains the same toxic chemicals as the smoke inhaled by the smoker No known safe level of exposure to second- hand smoke and it causes at least 1,000 deaths every year in Canada

Even when the cigarette is put out, second- hand smoke still exists in the environment (your hair, clothes, skin, etc.) Last year, 1.5 million kids were regularly exposed to second-hand smoke Exposure to second-hand smoke is preventable and avoidable – Don’t let it happen to you! Say something!