26% of teens report current tobacco use Over 6.4 million children alive today will die of a smoking related disease

What are the Health Risks associated with tobacco use? All forms of tobacco contain chemicals that are bad for your health Leading cause of preventable deaths and disabilities in US Smoking – linked to lung disease, cancers, and heart disease 90% of adult smokers began as a teen

Health Risks of Tobacco Use Nicotine – addictive drug found in tobacco leaves Makes it hard for people to quit using tobacco Is a stimulant – increases the action of the central nervous system, the heart and other organs Raises blood pressure Increases Heart rate

Poisonous Substances in Tobacco Smoke Carcinogens – cancer causing agent Tar – thick, sticky dark fluid produced when tobacco burns Destroys cilia, alveoli, damages lung tissue Smokers are susceptible to bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, heart disease and cancer Carbon Monoxide – colorless, odorless, poisonous gas In cigarette smoke Deprives body’s cells and tissues of oxygen Poisonous compounds found in paint, rat poison, and toilet cleaner

Pipes, Cigars and Smokeless Tobacco Cigars – contain more nicotine, more tar, and more carbon monoxide than cigarette Cigar and Pipe user at higher risk for cancers of lip, mouth, larynx, throat, lungs and esophagus Smokeless tobacco – tobacco that is sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed NOT a safe alternative to smoking Nicotine and carcinogens absorbed through mucus membranes into bloodstream Amounts can be 3 times that of 1 cigarette Leukoplakia

Short term effects of tobacco Occur immeadiately Brain Chemistry Cravings for tobacco Withdrawal symptoms as quick as 30 minutes after use Increased respiration and HR Physical activity is difficult and endurance is decreased Taste buds dulled Appetite reduced Bad breath Yellow teeth Smelly hair, skin, and clothes

Long term effects of Tobacco Chronic bronchitis Cilia in bronchial tubes damaged, leads to build up of tar causing a chronic cough and mucus secretions Emphysema Air sacs in the lungs are damaged, making it difficult to absorb oxygen Lung cancer Develops when cilia is destroyed and excess mucus cannot be expelled Coronary heart disease and stroke Nicotine constricts blood vessels and leads to build up of plaque in the arteries (arteriosclerosis) Weakened immune system

Other Consequences Cost to society Cost to individuals Legal $167 billion per year for tobacco related illnesses Cost to individuals 1 pack of cigarettes per day = $3500 per year Legal Must be 18 to buy tobacco Cannot bring tobacco or use tobacco at school

Why Teens Use Tobacco Control weight Cope with stress Make them appear mature and independent Influence by the media

Reduction in Teen Use Better recognition of health risks 88% of teens in US do not smoke (up from 65%) Legislation (laws) – make it illegal for companies to direct ads toward teens Limits smoking in public places and businesses Family values – when parents don’t smoke, teens usually don’t smoke Positive peer pressure – friends who do not smoke

Benefits of Living Tobacco Free Better cardiovascular endurance and function Free from dependence on a substance Free from the many health risks associated with tobacco

How to avoid tobacco use Surround yourself with positive influences Reduce peer pressure by staying away from situations where tobacco will be present Prepare your refusal skills Be assertive and confident in your healthy choices

Quitting tobacco use Nicotine withdrawal – process body goes through when tobacco is discontinued Irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, sleep disturbances, cravings for tobacco Nicotine substitutes – products that deliver small amounts of nicotine to the use while they are trying to quit Patches Gum Nasal sprays

Getting help to quit Prepare for the quit day Rid your environment of tobacco products Avoid tobacco trigger situations Get support – make family and friends aware of your goal Get professional help Replace tobacco with healthy behaviors Exercise

Smoke and the environment Nonsmokers who breath in someone else’s tobacco smoke are at risk for health problems Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) – second hand smoke air contaminated with tobacco smoke Causes eye irritation, headaches, coughing Causes 3000 deaths per year Mainstream smoke – exhaled from lungs of smoker Sidestream smoke – smoke from end of cigarette, cigar, or pipe

Risks to unborn children Smoking during pregnancy can seriously harm the developing fetus Risks of miscarriage, premature delivery, low birth weight, deformities , stillbirths Higher risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) Risk for severe asthma after birth, ear infections and respiratory infections

Risks of ETS to young children Higher incidence of sore throats, ear infections, respiratory problems Can slow lung development making the lungs weaker

Examples of Public Service Announcement Posters