Cigarette Smoking Chinauwa Howard HWE200: Introduction to Health and Wellness Instructor: Dr. Mileski April 25, 2016 Know the Risk

Topics of Discussion Major health risks associated with cigarette smoking Smoking cessation aids and many benefits of use Benefits of a smoke-free workplace Behavior change theories Stages of change model

Cigarette Smoke and Your Health Everyone is responsible for their own wellness. Some factors of health cannot be controlled due to unforeseen circumstances of environmental factors. Other factors involving health are merely chosen at free will. The act of smoking cigarettes put people that does not smoke at risk of developing diseases and cancers just as well as the person smoking is at risk.

PREVENTABLE? “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death which account for more than 480,000 deaths in the US, including nearly 42,000 deaths from second- hand smoke exposure”, (CDC - Fact Sheet - Fast Facts - Smoking & Tobacco Use, 2015). Harmful substances that are in cigarettes include nicotine, methane, rat poison, and carbon monoxide. There are over two thousand chemicals and toxins in cigarettes and/or the by-product smoke expelled into the air that are directly linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer. “Nicotine sustains tobacco addiction, a major cause of disability and premature death”, (Benowitz, 2010)

Major Health Risks Associated with Smoking Respiratory diseases Cancer Cardiovascular diseases Gum disease Diabetes Fertility issues in both men and women Premature babies with health issues Ulcers …and many more conditions associated with smoking (Clipart Best, 2016)

(Wasserzug,2012)

Smoking Cessation Aids Nicotine products Nicotine patch gum lozenges inhalers Medications Zyban Champix Behavior modification therapy Support groups Educational meetings Online web-based group sessions (Wasserzug, 2016)

Benefits of Smoking Cessation When you quit smoking your risk of developing heart disease and cancer dramatically decreases if you have not already contracted the disease. Benefits of smoking cessation are: Blood pressure and circulation improves Lungs increase ability of air flow in and out of lungs Everyday activities such as exercise is easier to do 10 to 15 years expectancy is added back to your life compared to someone who never smoked (Anspaugh, Hamrick, & Rosato, 2010, p. 380)

Widely Used Nicotine Cessation Aids Nicotine patch and gum is two of the most widely used cessation aids to help quit smoking. The nicotine patch is applied to the skin such as the upper arm where it slowly release a low dose of nicotine into the body to help satisfy the urge to smoke. The nicotine gum is chewed as regular gum that gives a similar low dose of nicotine. There is a small chance of overdosing on nicotine if these products are misused or abused.

Smoke-Free vs. Non-Smoke Free Workplace Smoke-Free Workplace Clear air free of toxins and harmful chemicals reducing risk of disease and cancer to smokers and non- smokers Save employers about $1000 on company medical insurance and lowers employee premiums Lower risks of unwanted fires Non-Smoke Free Environment Toxic air inhaled increasing risk of disease and cancer to smokers and non-smokers Employer medical insurance is higher which makes employees pay more money in premiums Higher risks of fires caused by people throwing lit cigarettes on ground

Change Your Behavior Your quality of life is not only about you but about the people and pets that are around you on a daily basis. Changing your behavior to plan to face your addiction head on is one of the first steps in to quit smoking. Some behavior changes are: Set a date to plan to quit smoking and do not deviate from the date Take baby steps. Nothing changes overnight so face it one day at a time Change your surroundings and daily routines. Go somewhere different such as the park or the beach and use that time to relax and daydream of future plans after you quit. Keep yourself busy such as doing word problems or chores around the house. This will help you to not think about smoking. Remain positive about the situation. Remind yourself that your life is worth living for and think of the most important person or thing in your life and channel that frustrating energy to quit smoking for that someone or something.

References Anspaugh, D., Hamrick, M., & Rosato, F. (2010). Forming a Plan for Good Nutrition. InWellness: Concepts and Applications, 8th Edition [Mcgraw-Hill Learning Solutions] (8th ed.) Benowitz, N. L. (2010). Nicotine Addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 362(24), doi: /nejmra CDC - Fact Sheet - Fast Facts - Smoking & Tobacco Use. (2015). Retrieved from Clipart Best. (2016). lungs.jpeg [Photograph]. Retrieved from

Conclusion Smoking increase the risk of major health problems such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. People that smoke puts people that does not smoke at greater risk of developing diseases and cancers due to the toxicity of second- hand smoke. Smoking cessation aids includes the patch, gum, medication, and behavior group therapy. Benefits of quitting smoking decrease the risk of developing disease and cancer if it is not already contracted. It is important to have a smoke-free workplace to keep air fresh for people who do not smoke. A smoke-free workplace also reduce medical premiums for the employer and employees working because of decreased risks of failing health and/or unwanted fires in the workplace. You can take the first step in to quit smoking by changing your behavior to fit your needs to live free from smoking to reduce risks and be healthier overall.

References Cont. DrugFacts: Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2015). Retrieved from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) website: products Medical News Bulletin. (2016). IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO QUIT: A LOOK AT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS. Retrieved April 25, 2016, from smoking-cessation-aides/ Medical News Bulletin, J. (2012). IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO QUIT: A LOOK AT SMOKING CESSATION AIDS [Pictograph]. Retrieved from smoking-cessation-aides/