Smoking Notes…

Tobacco Fun Facts: #1 cause of preventable death More than 4,000 chemicals At least 70 are cancer causing Fresh, processed and smoke contains carcinogens (cancer causing) –There’s the same amount of tobacco in 1 large cigar and 1 pack of cigarettes

Three of the most poisonous chemicals: Nicotine: highly addictive drug found in all tobacco products, in small does it is a mild stimulant, which increases the action of the Central Nervous System Tar: coats bronchial tubes, so cilia can’t protect lungs from respiratory diseases Carbon Monoxide: colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that blocks oxygen from getting into the bloodstream

Short-term Effects: Increase heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, blood sugar levels Makes breath and clothes stink Leaves black specks between your teeth

Long-term Effects: Brain: –Reduces oxygen to the brain Mouth: –Plaque, gum disease, tooth decay, yellow teeth –Receding gums and sores in mouth –Dulls your sense of smell and taste Heart: –Narrows blood vessels, causes arteries to become hardened and clogged Lungs: –Kills cilia in your lungs Skin: –Loses elasticity (wrinkly)

continued… Addiction Chronic Bronchitis (inflammation of airways) Cancers: –Emphysema (lung cancer) –Larynx –Mouth –Pancreas

Mainstream, Side Stream & Secondhand Smoke:

Mainstream Smoke: Smoke that is inhaled through a tobacco product and exhaled by a tobacco smoker

Side Stream Smoke: Smoke that escapes from the tip of the cigarette, cigar or pipe Can be as much as 50% of the smoke from the cigarette

Environmental Smoke (Secondhand Smoke): Combination of exhaled mainstream smoke and the side stream smoke

Dangers of Secondhand Smoke (Pregnancy/Infants): Baby’s can be born physically dependant (because of nicotine) Higher rate of: –Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) –Miscarriage –Premature birth –Low birth weight –Development of learning disabilities –Asthma –Middle ear infections (build up of fluid)

Smokeless Tobacco “Spit tobacco, chewing tobacco, chew, chaw, dip, & plug” Two forms: –Snuff- dip in lower lip and gum –Chewing Tobacco- cheek and gum Smokeless doesn’t mean harmless –Sits in your mouth & suck tobacco juices –Contains fiberglass that cuts gums so nicotine gets into bloodstream

Effects of Chewing Tobacco Bad breath, yellow/brown teeth Mouth sores Cracking and bleeding lips and gums Receding gums (  teeth fall out) Increased heart rate & high blood pressure Cancer (anywhere in the mouth, stomach, esophagus and bladder)

Why in the world do people start smoking? Family and friends Misconceptions Advertising Curiosity/Experiment Rebellion

Tips for Quitting: Decide you CAN do it Get started Change your habits Set goals Get support