More people than ALL of the deaths from AIDS, alcohol, other drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicides, and fires COMBINED!!! Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that is not smoked or burned Chewing Tobacco- shredded, twisted, or "bricked" tobacco leaves that users put between their cheek and gum. Snuff-fine-grain tobacco that often comes in teabag-like pouches that users "pinch" or "dip" between their lower lip and gum. All smokeless tobacco causes the user to produce extra saliva, which they will spit out. This is why it is often called “spit tobacco”. Smokeless tobacco contains more than 3,000 chemicals including NICOTINE. The problems with nicotine include: Dangerous carcinogens in smokeless tobacco (there are more than 23!) •nitrosamines — These are the most powerful cancer-causing agents in smokeless tobacco. •Increased heart rate •polonium 210 — radioactive particles that turn into radon •Increased blood pressure •formaldehyde — embalming fluid •Addiction, withdrawal symptoms when not used •cadmium — a metallic element; its salts are poisonous •arsenic — a metallic element which forms poisonous compounds The chemicals in tobacco dry out your skin and cause: •Premature aging and wrinkles by 10 to 20 years •Discoloration of the skin •Damage to the blood vessels The thousands of chemicals in tobacco coat the mouth and can lead to: •Halitosis (bad breath) •Hairy tongue (reduces sense of taste) •Oral cancer (lip and mouth) •Stained teeth (from the tar) •Cavities •Gingivitis (irritation and swelling of the gums) •Periodontis (serious gum disease) Chronic Bronchitis - Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial passages) that recurs and does not permanently go away. EMPHYSEMA- Emphysema damages the alveoli. They become large and hard, and lose their ability to exchange air. With damaged air sacs, you cannot get enough air to breathe, and always feel that you cannot catch your breath. Emphysema has no cure and cannot be undone LUNG CANCER- Lung Smokers also get more colds, coughs, flu, and other illnesses (Like pneumonia) due to their weaker immune system. cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in both men and women. Smoking is the most common cause of this kind of cancer. Unfortunately, lung cancer is hard to cure. The thousands of chemicals in tobacco smoke line the passages of the nose when inhaled and can cause: •Decreased sense of smell •Decreased immunity (cilia bogged down with chemicals in smoke!) •Cancer of the larnyx (voice box) •Cancer of the esophagus Did you know that smoking decreases the bodies ability to absorb calcium? Smoking weakens your bones, and this can cause you to develop a disease called osteoporosis as you grow older. Osteoporosis is when your bones become thin and brittle, and are more likely to break. Smoking also impairs an athletes ability to perform as well. The chemicals in tobacco can cause a rapid heartbeat, decreased circulation and shortness of breath. Smoking also affects the body’s ability to produce collagen, so common sports injuries like those to ligaments and tendons, heal more slowly in smokers. A stroke is a lack of blood flow to the brain, due to a blockage in a blood vessel or bursting of a blood vessel. Severe disability and even death can result from a stroke. Smoking cigarettes is related to high blood pressure and to hardening of the arteries, both of which can cause a stroke. Smoking and mental health problems are linked to each other in complicated ways. Smokers have higher rates of several mental health problems -- including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and drug abuse -- than nonsmokers do. The poisons in cigarette smoke are carried everywhere the blood flows The chemicals in tobacco smoke cause your blood vessels to constrict, or become narrow, which The nicotine in tobacco is a allows less blood through. stimulant drug that increases the heart rate and blood pressure leading to high blood pressure. Nicotine in cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to become narrow, reducing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Smoking can also lead to arteriosclerosis, which increases the risk of a heart attack. An ulcer is a sore or hole in the stomach. Nicotine in cigarette smoke causes extra stomach acid to form. This extra acid can lead to an ulcer. Continued smoking can keep an ulcer from healing. The tar and other carcinogens in tobacco smoke can cause cancer of the stomach Increased risk of colon cancer The chemicals in tobacco smoke, specifically the nicotine and carbon monoxide, reduce the amount of oxygen and other nutrients the baby needs to grow and develop properly. Smoking during pregnancy can cause: •Miscarriage and Stillbirth (Pregnancy ends ) •Preterm labor (Go into labor too early) •Low birth weight (Organs may be underdeveloped, especially the lungs) •Placental Problems •Increased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) Side stream smoke (the smoke that comes from the burning tip of a cigarette) contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including 200 known poisons and 43 carcinogens How is it dangerous to nonsmokers? • Nausea, headaches, dizziness •Trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks •Cause emphysema , cancers, and heart diseases • This is why smoking is BANNED in public places! Children of smokers have more colds, flu, middle ear infections, allergies and asthma than children of nonsmokers do!