1. Smoking
Myths and Realities
Created by: T.
Truitt MS

2. Reality MYTH #1: Cigarette Smoking is not as dangerous as some
people say.
Reality
Most health experts agree that cigarette
smoking is one of the most serious
causes of death and disability in this
country.

3. Myth #2: Reality Smoking is not something that I
will have to worry about until I’m old.
Reality
There are many immediate and long
term effects of smoking (See the next
few slides about effects on the body).
It can also cost you over $1000/year.

4. Effects of Cigarette smoking:
Immediate:
Hand steadiness decreases
Heart beats faster
Carbon Monoxide in your lungs increases
Temperature of skin goes down
Pattern of brain waves changes
Long term:
Heart Disease
Cancer

5. Other effects of smoking:
Ears: affects nerves and blood vessels in the ears and may lead to hearing loss.
Eyes: Causes the eyes to become red may lead to loss of eyesight.
Mouth: Harms the skin covering of lips, tongue, and throat which could cause food to taste funny. Causes bad coughs and mouth infections.
Nose: Decreases your ability to smell.

6. Continued Effects of smoking:
Skin: Causes temperature of the skin to drop and causes wrinkles on the face to appear quickly.
Lungs: Makes it harder to breathe normally which makes it harder for you to do well in sports.
Heart: Closes off blood vessels making the heart work harder to pump blood through them.

7. Smoking + Quitting= NOT EASY!
Myth #3:
It’s easy to quit smoking.
Reality:
Most people are Unsuccessful at quitting smoking,
even though 1/2 of all smokers have tried to quit
at least once.
Smoking + Quitting= NOT EASY!

8. Myth #4: Reality Most people smoke cigarettes.
Surveys indicate that ONLY 8% of 8th
graders, 16% of 10th graders, and 23%
of 12th graders smoke cigarettes daily.
ONLY 28% of ALL adults smoke regularly.
This means that MOST people DON’T smoke.

9. Myth #5: Reality: Smoking is cool and sophisticated.
Smoking has become socially unacceptable.
Non-smokers are becoming more assertive
regarding their right to breathe clean air due
to the hazards of side stream smoke.

10. My reasons for not smoking:
Have students talk about their own personal
reasons for NOT smoking.