Nicotine and Tobacco Use The Harmful Effects of Cigarettes

What is in a Cigarette? Nicotine - can cause physical or psychological dependence; is the addictive drug in tobacco leaves Classified as a stimulant, which can increase the action of the CNS. Carcinogens - cancer-causing substance Tar - thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns Carbon monoxide - colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas; can be absorbed more easily than oxygen

Short-Term Effects of Smoking Respiratory System Harmful particles settle in air passages, causes coughing and shortness of breath Peripheral Nervous System Decreases the response level of some reflexes Endocrine System Decreases the levels of the hormone involved in preventing blood clotting Decreases release of fluid from pancreas, increase the levels of sugar in blood Cardiovascular System Increase in heart rate, blood pressure, volume of blood pumped per beat, increase force of heart contractions, narrows blood vessels in skin, narrows veins Central Nervous System (CNS) Changes brain wave patterns (addiction, withdrawal)

Long-Term Effects of Smoking Chronic bronchitis Damage to the cilia in the bronchi, caused by repeated tobacco use Emphysema Destroys the air sacs within the lungs; air sacs become less elastic and make it difficult to breath Lung Cancer Coronary heart disease and stroke; decreased circulation

Preventing Tobacco Abuse Choose friends that do not use tobacco Avoid situations in which tobacco is used Practice and use refusal skills

Risks for Smokers and Non-Smokers Environmental smoke-secondhand smoke Mainstream smoke is the smoke exhaled from the lungs of the smoker Side-stream smoke is the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette

Smokeless Tobacco What is Smokeless Tobacco? Tobacco that can be taken into the body through the nose or mouth. Can produce chemicals that can be absorbed into the body 3x’s faster than a cigarette Leukoplakia - thick, white, leathery-looking spots in the mouth that can develop into oral cancer

Nicotine Substitutes Manufactured forms of nicotine that deliver small amounts of the drug into the system Less use of the substitute is needed over time Nicotine substitutes come in many forms: Gum, patch, nasal spray, prescription pills Without a substitute a smoker may go through withdrawal

Tips to Quit Set a date and stick with it Throw all the tobacco products away Decide on the approach you will take to quit Set short-term and long- term goals Set up a support system Reward yourself

Benefits to Quitting Improved cardio-respiratory endurance Breathe easier Reduce the chance of cancer, heart disease, or stroke Freedom from addiction Save money

Changes in the Body After Quitting Heart rate returns to normal Carbon monoxide levels in blood return to normal Lung function begins to improve Coughing and shortness of breath begin to decrease Risks of cancer and COPD decrease