1. 26% of teens report current tobacco use
Over 6.4 million children alive today will die of a smoking related disease

2. What are the Health Risks associated with tobacco use?
All forms of tobacco contain chemicals that are bad for your health
Leading cause of preventable deaths and disabilities in US
Smoking – linked to lung disease, cancers, and heart disease
90% of adult smokers began as a teen

3. Health Risks of Tobacco Use
Nicotine – addictive drug found in tobacco leaves
Makes it hard for people to quit using tobacco
Is a stimulant – increases the action of the central nervous system, the heart and other organs
Raises blood pressure
Increases Heart rate

4. Poisonous Substances in Tobacco Smoke
Carcinogens – cancer causing agent
Tar – thick, sticky dark fluid produced when tobacco burns
Destroys cilia, alveoli, damages lung tissue
Smokers are susceptible to bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, heart disease and cancer
Carbon Monoxide – colorless, odorless, poisonous gas
In cigarette smoke
Deprives body’s cells and tissues of oxygen
Poisonous compounds found in paint, rat poison, and toilet cleaner

5. Pipes, Cigars and Smokeless Tobacco
Cigars – contain more nicotine, more tar, and more carbon monoxide than cigarette
Cigar and Pipe user at higher risk for cancers of lip, mouth, larynx, throat, lungs and esophagus
Smokeless tobacco – tobacco that is sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed
NOT a safe alternative to smoking
Nicotine and carcinogens absorbed through mucus membranes into bloodstream
Amounts can be 3 times that of 1 cigarette
Leukoplakia

6. Short term effects of tobacco
Occur immeadiately
Brain Chemistry
Cravings for tobacco
Withdrawal symptoms as quick as 30 minutes after use
Increased respiration and HR
Physical activity is difficult and endurance is decreased
Taste buds dulled
Appetite reduced
Bad breath
Yellow teeth
Smelly hair, skin, and clothes

7. Long term effects of Tobacco
Chronic bronchitis
Cilia in bronchial tubes damaged, leads to build up of tar causing a chronic cough and mucus secretions
Emphysema
Air sacs in the lungs are damaged, making it difficult to absorb oxygen
Lung cancer
Develops when cilia is destroyed and excess mucus cannot be expelled
Coronary heart disease and stroke
Nicotine constricts blood vessels and leads to build up of plaque in the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
Weakened immune system

8. Other Consequences Cost to society Cost to individuals Legal
$167 billion per year for tobacco related illnesses
Cost to individuals
1 pack of cigarettes per day = $3500 per year
Legal
Must be 18 to buy tobacco
Cannot bring tobacco or use tobacco at school

9. Why Teens Use Tobacco Control weight Cope with stress
Make them appear mature and independent
Influence by the media

10. Reduction in Teen Use Better recognition of health risks
88% of teens in US do not smoke (up from 65%)
Legislation (laws) – make it illegal for companies to direct ads toward teens
Limits smoking in public places and businesses
Family values – when parents don’t smoke, teens usually don’t smoke
Positive peer pressure – friends who do not smoke

11. Benefits of Living Tobacco Free
Better cardiovascular endurance and function
Free from dependence on a substance
Free from the many health risks associated with tobacco

12. How to avoid tobacco use
Surround yourself with positive influences
Reduce peer pressure by staying away from situations where tobacco will be present
Prepare your refusal skills
Be assertive and confident in your healthy choices

13. Quitting tobacco use
Nicotine withdrawal – process body goes through when tobacco is discontinued
Irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, cravings for tobacco
Nicotine substitutes – products that deliver small amounts of nicotine to the use while they are trying to quit
Patches
Gum
Nasal sprays

14. Getting help to quit Prepare for the quit day
Rid your environment of tobacco products
Avoid tobacco trigger situations
Get support – make family and friends aware of your goal
Get professional help
Replace tobacco with healthy behaviors
Exercise

15. Smoke and the environment
Nonsmokers who breath in someone else’s tobacco smoke are at risk for health problems
Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) – second hand smoke
air contaminated with tobacco smoke
Causes eye irritation, headaches, coughing
Causes 3000 deaths per year
Mainstream smoke – exhaled from lungs of smoker
Sidestream smoke – smoke from end of cigarette, cigar, or pipe

16. Risks to unborn children
Smoking during pregnancy can seriously harm the developing fetus
Risks of miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight, deformities , stillbirths
Higher risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
Risk for severe asthma after birth, ear infections and respiratory infections

17. Risks of ETS to young children
Higher incidence of sore throats, ear infections, respiratory problems
Can slow lung development making the lungs weaker

18. Examples of Public Service Announcement Posters