Tobacco Use
A SERIOUS HEALTH RISK!
Tobacco Use
#1 cause of preventable disease and
death in the United States
 Government requires that ALL tobacco
products carry a warning label
 Every day, teens begin to smoke

– IT’S ADDICTIVE
– ….but treatable
Nicotine
Addictive drug- a substance that causes
physiological and psychological dependence.
 Nicotine- addictive drug found in tobacco leaves

– Stimulant- a drug that increases the action of the
central nervous system, the heart and other organs
– Increases blood pressure, increases heart rate,
contributes to heart disease and stroke

Once addicted, people need more and more
nicotine to satisfy the craving!
Cigarette Smoke – A Toxic Mixture

Environmental smoke (secondhand smoke) is
considered a Group A carcinogen (cancercausing agent)
– WORST KIND!

Mainstream smoke
– The smoke exhaled from the lungs of a smoker

Sidestream smoke
– The smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe
or cigar (more dangerous b/c of higher concentration
of carcinogens, nicotine and tar)
Tar
A thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when
tobacco burns
 As tar penetrates the respiratory system, it
destroys cilia (tiny hair-like structures that line
the upper airways and protect against infection)
 Damages alveoli (air sacs), which absorb oxygen
and rid the body
 Destroys lung tissue (making lungs less likely to
function)

– More susceptible to disease
Carbon Monoxide
Colorless, odorless and poisonous gas
 Taken up more readily than oxygen so it
deprives your body of needed O2
 Increases risk of high blood pressure,
heart disease and hardening of the
arteries
 Contains 43 KNOWN carcinogens

Cigars and Pipe Smoking

Cigars contain more nicotine and produces
more tar and carbon monoxide than
cigarettes
– Can contain as much as a PACK of cigarettes

Increases risk of lip, mouth and throat
cancer
Smokeless Tobacco
NOT SAFE!
 Sniffed through the nose, held in mouth or
chewed
 Delivers nicotine and carcinogens at 2-3
times the amount as delivered by a single
cigarette
 Causes leukoplakia
 Cancers: throat, larynx, esophagus,
stomach and pancreas

How it affects the body

SHORT TERM:
– Changes in brain chemistry
– Increased respiration and heart rate
– Dulled taste buds and reduced appetite
– Bad breath and smelly hair, clothes and skin
How it affects the body

LONG TERM:
– Chronic bronchitis
– Emphysema
– Lung Cancer
– Coronary heart disease and stroke
How it affects the body

Nervous System:
– Addiction
– Increased risk of stroke

Respiratory System
– coughing, or “smoker’s hack”
– Increased risk of emphysema, lung cancer
and chronic broncitis
How it affects the body

Digestive System
– Increased risk of cancers
– Increased risk of gum recession, tooth decay
and tooth loss
– Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
How it affects the body

Cardiovascular System
– Increased HR and BP
– Hardened arteries and decreased blood flow
– Increased risk of heart attack

Excretory System
– Increased risk of cancer of the bladder and
kidneys
Other consequences
Legal
 Social
 Financial

What Happens When a Smoker
Quits
Within 20 minutes: blood pressure and
pulse rates drop. Body temperature in
limbs returns to normal.
 Within 8 hours: oxygen levels return to
normal
 In 24 hours: the chance of heart attack
begins to decrease

In 48 hours: nerve endings begin to
regrow. Senses of taste and smell improve
 In 3 days: breathing becomes easier as
lung capacity increases
 Within 2 weeks-3months: lung function up
to 30% better
 Within 1- 9 months: lung cilia grow and
coughing, sinus congestion and shortness
of breath decrease

In one year: the risk of coronary heart
disease is cut in half
 In 5 years: the risk of lung cancer and
cancer of mouth, throat and esophagus is
reduced by 50%. Stroke risk is also
decreased
 In 10 years: the risk of cancer of the
bladder, kidney, cervix and pancreas
decrease

Smoking Aerobics

Write any two factors you know about
smoking.

Write down your two most favorite
physical activities.
Smoking Aerobics

3. Write two feeling words you
experienced when doing aerobics while
breathing through the straw

4. How can smoking affect your two
favorite physical activities you wrote down
in question two?
Group Activity – Anti-Smoking Ad
With your group, create a poster that is targeted
at teens who wish to purchase tobacco products
even though it is against the law.
 What to include:

–
–
–
–
–
Catchy slogan (BE CREATIVE!!!!)
What’s inside??
Harmful effects (Short term and long term)
How it affects smokers and nonsmokers
Benefits of living tobacco free