Effects of Tobacco Use

Nicotine Addictive drug – a substance that causes

physiological or psychological dependence Stimulant – a drug that increases the action of

the central nervous system, the heart, and other organs Raises blood pressure Increases heart rate Contributes to heart disease and stroke

Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette Smoke is a Class A Carcinogen (EPA, 1992) Carcinogen – cancer-causing substance

Tar A thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns

Destroys cilia – tiny hairlike structures that line the upper airways and protect against infection

Damages the alveoli (air sacs) – which absorb oxygen and rid the body of carbon dioxide

Destroys lung tissue More susceptible to diseases like bronchitis, pneumonia,

emphysema, and cancer Carbon Monoxide

A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas It is easier for blood to hold carbon monoxide instead of

oxygen

Tar Coated Lung

Harmful Effects of Pipes and Cigars

Cigars contain more nicotine and produce more tar and carbon monoxide than cigarettes Nicotine in 1 cigar = nicotine in 1 pack of

cigarettes

Increased risk of developing cancers of the lip, mouth, and throat

Harmful Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Smokeless tobacco – tobacco that is sniffed

through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed NOT safe!!! – contain 28 carcinogens Delivers nicotine two to three the amount

delivered by a single cigarette Dips/chew 8 to 10 = smoking 2 packs a day

Leukoplakia – thickened, white, leathery-looking spots on the inside of the mouth that can develop into oral cancer

Cancers – throat, larynx, esophagus, stomach, and pancreas

Short-Term Effects of Tobacco Use

Changes in brain chemistry Increased respiration and heart rate Dulled taste buds and reduced appetite Bad breath and smelly hair, clothes, and

skin

Long-term effects of tobacco use Chronic bronchitis Emphysema Lung cancer Coronary heart disease and stroke

Constrict blood vessels Cuts down on circulation

Plaque build up - Arteriosclerosis

Other consequences Legal consequences Social consequences Financial consequences

Reduced Tobacco Use Among Teens

Antismoking campaigns Tobacco companies fund

Financial cost Societal pressures Family influence

Benefits of Living Tobacco Free Lowers risk of lung cancer, heart disease,

and stroke Improves cardiovascular endurance and

lung function Not dependent on an addictive substance Less stress Helps a person look and feel better

Strategies for Preventing Use of Tobacco

Choose friends who don’t use tobacco Avoid situations where tobacco products

may be used Practice and use refusal skills – “I

statement format skills” Continue to build Developmental Assets

Reasons to give up tobacco use Begin to have health problems Have the desire, will, and commitment It is too expensive Using tobacco can lead to other risky

behaviors Learn the damaging effects

Stopping the Addiction Cycle Nicotine withdrawal – the process that occurs in

the body when nicotine, an addictive drug, is no longer used

Symptoms Irritability, difficulty, concentrating, anxiety, sleep

disturbance, and cravings Nicotine substitute

A product that delivers small amounts of nicotine into the user’s system while he or she is trying to give up the tobacco habit

Nicotine gum/patch

Tips for Quitting Prepare for the day Get support Identify available health-related services Replace tobacco use with healthier

alternatives Change daily behavior Engage in healthful behaviors

Risks for Smokers and Nonsmokers

Environmental tobacco smoke – 2nd hand smoke – air that has been contaminated by tobacco smoke Mainstream smoke – exhaled smoke Sidestream smoke – smoke from the burning

end

Effects on Smoke on Nonsmokers Environmental tobacco smoke contains more

than 4,000 different chemical compounds (43 carcinogens)

Effects Eye irritation Headaches Ear infections Coughing Worsens asthma and other respiratory problems Lung cancer – 3,000 diagnosed/year

Effects on Unborn Children Nicotine passes through the placenta

Constricts blood vessels of fetus Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen levels

Impaired fetal growth Miscarriage Prenatal death Premature delivery Low birth weight Deformities Stillbirths SIDS

Effects on Small Children Tend to have a higher incidence of sore

throats, ear infections, and upper respiratory problems

Double the risk of developing lung cancer

A Smoke-free society Taking steps to prohibit smoking in public

places Non-smoking areas

Benefits of Quitting After 24 hours – your chance of a heart

attack decreases After 48 hours – Nerve endings start

repairing - your sense of smell and taste will improve

Between 2-3 weeks – circulation improves, walking becomes easier, and lung function increases

Benefits of Quitting 1-9 months – you may notice improvements

in these areas – coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath

1 year smoke-free – excess risk of coronary heart disease is reduced to half of that of a smoker

5 years – stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked

Benefits of Quitting 10 years – risk of lung cancer drops to ½ of

smokers 10 years – risk of cancers of the mouth,

throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases

Risk of ulcers decrease

Benefits of Quitting 15 years - Risk of Coronary Heart disease

is the same as those who have never smoked

15 years - Risk of Death is nearly the level of those who have never smoked