Wellness Chapter 20 Tobacco Lesson One The Health Risks of Tobacco Use

Health Risks In Tobacco

Before beginning this chapter, think about these questions In what ways does tobacco harm your body? What are the consequences of tobacco use? Why should you avoid secondhand smoke?

All forms of tobacco contain chemicals that are dangerous to your health

Advertisements for tobacco products often feature healthy, attractive people

Medical studies have shown that tobacco use is the leading cause of PREVENTABLE death and disability in the United States.

Teens and Tobacco Use About 23 percent of high school students and 10 percent of middle school students are current smokers. About a third of children and teens who try cigarettes become regular smokers. About 10 percent of high school boys and 1.5 percent of high school girls use smokeless tobacco.

Tobacco is an addictive and toxic drug. Tobacco smoke contains tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide as well as several carcinogens. It also contains the same poisonous compounds found in paint, rat poison and toilet cleaner. The dangers of tobacco are not limited to smoking cigarettes. Smoking pipes, cigars, e- cigarettes and smokeless tobacco can be just as dangerous and in some cases in more deadly.

Tobacco uses causes both short-term and long-term damage to your body. Short-term brain chemistry changes respiration and heart rate increase taste buds are dulled and appetite is decreased Bad breath, yellowed teeth, and smelly hair, skin and clothes.

Long Term Chronic bronchitis Emphysema Lung cancer Coronary heart disease and stroke Weakened immune system

SMOKING

As well as health risks, tobacco use is costly. Costs to society: Tobacco-related illness costs the US about $165 billion each year. Costs to individuals: A person smoking ONLY one pack of cigarettes a day will spend about $1500 a year on the habit. Legal consequences: Using tobacco products on school property may lead to suspension or expulsion.

Lesson 2 Choosing To Live Tobacco Free Some teens are influenced by peers or the media to use tobacco, but many who start want to quit. More teens recognize the health risks associated with tobacco use and are avoiding using tobacco products. The CDC reports that 77 percent of high school students nationwide do not smoke.

Several factors have contributed to this trend Tobacco legislation: In 1998, tobacco companies and 46 states reached an agreement that restricts tobacco advertising. No-smoking policies: Legislation restricts smoking in public places and businesses. Family values: If parents don’t smoke, kids probably won’t smoke. Positive peer pressure: Teens who don’t smoke act as role models. Health risks: More teens understand the dangers of tobacco use.

Strategies For Avoiding Tobacco Surround yourself with positive influences. Reduce peer pressure by staying away from situations where tobacco may be used. Be prepared with refusal skills and practice in advance what you will say if someone offers you tobacco.

Getting Help To Quit Tobacco Use Prepare for the quit day. Get support and encouragement from family and friends. Access professional health services and seek advice from a doctor. Replace tobacco use with healthy behaviors.

Lesson 3 Promoting A Smoke-Free Environment Tobacco smoke can harm non-smokers. Secondhand smoke (ETS) from cigars, cigarettes and pipes contain more than 4,000 chemical compounds and more than 50 of those are cancer-causing carcinogens. Secondhand smoke causes more than 3,000 deaths from lung cancer every year.

Health Risks To Unborn Children, Infants and Young Children. A pregnant mother should avoid tobacco to protect the fetus. ETS or secondhand smoke is especially harmful to infants and young children. Children of smokers are more likely to be in poor health than children of non-smokers. Children of smokers tend to have higher incidence of sore throats, ear infections and upper respiratory problems. Children who live with smokers tend to have weaker lungs. ETS or secondhand smoke slows lung development.

Creating A Smoke-Free Environment it is illegal to sell tobacco to teens under the age of 18, and it is illegal to smoke in public places. Most companies have policies concerning smoking. Many companies prohibit smoking on the job, while others have designated smoking areas. Some companies will not hire new employees who smoke and give current employees a certain period of time to quit.