Ch 16 Notes – Tobacco

Section Teens and Tobacco

I.Why Teens Use Tobacco-  Tobacco use has fallen sharply in the last 20 years. Despite all the health warnings some people choose to start smoking. There are positive and negative factors in a teens life that influence them in their decision about tobacco.  a.Influence of Friends  b.Influence of Family  c.Influence of Media

II. Tobacco Products  Nicotine is an addictive chemical in tobacco products. Tobacco plants naturally produce this chemical because it acts as an insecticide to protect the plants’ leaves. No matter how tobacco is used, all tobacco products contain nicotine, cancer- causing chemicals, and other harmful substances.

Tobacco Products a. Products that are Smoke  Cigarettes  Bidis  Kreteks  Cigars and Pipes b. Smokeless Tobacco  Chewing tobacco  Snuff

Section Chemicals in Tobacco Products

I.Nicotine and the Body  Nicotine is a stimulant. These are drugs that speed up the activity of the nervous system. a. Nicotine’s Short-Term Effects  Increased heart rates  Increased blood pressure  Changes in the brain that may lead to addiction b. Nicotine Addiction  People who use tobacco frequently begin to rely on it for feelings of alertness and pleasure.  Studies show it may take only a few cigarettes for some teens to become addicted.

Nicotine and the Body c. Psychological Dependence  Tobacco may become a habit used to cope with stress or become associated with social situations. d. Nicotine Withdrawal – may occur within 30min from their last dose  Headaches, irritability difficulty sleeping, inability to concentrate, intense nicotine cravings

II.Other Dangerous Chemicals -there are over 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke a. Tar – dark sticky substance that forms when tobacco burns. Tar contains many chemicals that are known as carcinogens. Carcinogens are cancer-causing agents.  Leads to stained teeth, bad breath, paralysis of cilia, impaired lung function The average 15 to 20 a day smoker takes about a mug full of brown, sticky tar into the lungs every year

Other Dangerous Chemicals b. Carbon Monoxide – odorless, poisonous gas that binds with hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells in place of oxygen. c. Chemicals in Smokeless Tobacco - are just as dangerous as those in tobacco smoke. There are no safe tobacco products.

Section Risks of Tobacco Use

I.Long-Term Risks  Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the US with more than 400,000 deaths due to cigarettes alone.

II.Respiratory Diseases  a.Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)– smoking over a long period of time and cause irreversible damage to the respiratory system. COPD is a disease that results in gradual loss of lung function. Chronic Bronchitis Emphysema

III.Cardiovascular Disease kills roughly138,000 smokers in the US/yr  heart attack  stroke  circulation problems

IV.Cancer  a.Lung Cancer : leading cause of cancer death  b.Oral Cancer can begin as leukoplakia  c.Other Cancers : esophagus, larynx, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, blood

V.Secondhand Smoke = mainstream smoke + sidestream smoke  a.Dangers of Secondhand Smoke: Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke can cause cardiovascular disease, many respiratory problems, and cancer.  b.Avoiding Secondhand Smoke- laws now prohibit or restrict smoking in many public places and workplaces

VI.Tobacco Use and Pregnancy  a.Low birth weight  b.Miscarriages  c.Premature births or still births  d.Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Section Saying No to Tobacco

I.Avoiding Tobacco Use  Sticking to your decision not to use tobacco involves being able to say no clearly and with confidence.

II.Benefits of Quitting  a.The health benefits of quitting tobacco use begin immediately and continue throughout life  b.Society also benefits every time a tobacco user quits.

III.Tips for Quitting  a. The most important factor in successfully quitting tobacco is a strong personal commitment. List reasons why… Throw away tobacco products Change your daily routine Tell your friend and family Avoid being around those that smoke Put aside the money you save Pick up a new healthy habit

Tips for Quitting b.Get Help: American Lung Association American Cancer Society Local workshops or support groups c.Nicotine Substitutes a product that helps with withdrawal symptoms and contains nicotine, but not the other harmful chemicals found in tobacco.