The Health Risks of Tobacco Use (2:39) Click here to launch video Click here to download print activity

The chemicals in all tobacco products harm the body.

addictive drug nicotine stimulant carcinogen tar carbon monoxide smokeless tobacco leukoplakia

Health Risks of Tobacco Use All forms of tobacco contain chemicals that are dangerous to your health. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States.

Health Risks of Tobacco Use Any form of tobacco use, such as smoking, chewing, or dipping tobacco, can cause health problems.   Smoking has been linked to lung disease, cancers, and heart disease.

Health Risks of Tobacco Use About 90 percent of adult smokers began the habit as teenagers.   It’s easier to avoid tobacco use rather than quit later.

Nicotine Tobacco users have difficulty quitting because tobacco contains an addictive drug. Addictive drug A substance that causes physiological or psychological dependence

All tobacco products contain nicotine. The addictive drug found in tobacco leaves

Nicotine Nicotine is a stimulant that raises blood pressure and increases the heart rate. Stimulant A drug that increases the action of the central nervous system, the heart, and other organs

Poisonous Substances in Tobacco Smoke Tobacco is an addictive and toxic drug and a carcinogen. Carcinogen A cancer-causing substance

Cigarette smoke contains tar. A thick, sticky, dark fluid produced when tobacco burns

Tar damages a smoker’s respiratory system by paralyzing and destroying cilia Tar damages a smoker’s respiratory system by destroying the alveoli damaging lung tissue

Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is also in cigarette smoke. It deprives the body’s tissues and cells of oxygen. Carbon monoxide A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas

Pipes, Cigars, and Smokeless Tobacco No tobacco product is safe to use. The dangers of tobacco use are not limited to smoking cigarettes.

Pipes, Cigars, and Smokeless Tobacco Cigarette filters do not protect smokers from more than 50 carcinogens, including cyanide and arsenic, which are in tobacco products.

Pipes, Cigars, and Smokeless Tobacco The smoke from pipes and cigars also causes serious health consequences.   Cigars contain significantly more nicotine and produce more tar and carbon monoxide than cigarettes.

Pipes, Cigars, and Smokeless Tobacco The harmful chemicals of smokeless tobacco are absorbed into the body at levels up to three times the amount of a single cigarette. Smokeless tobacco Tobacco that is sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed

Pipes, Cigars, and Smokeless Tobacco Using smokeless tobacco also irritates the sensitive tissues of the mouth, causing leukoplakia. Leukoplakia Thickened, white, leathery-looking spots on the inside of the mouth that can develop into oral cancer

Harmful Effects of Tobacco Use Tobacco use causes both short-term and long-term damage to your body. Health officials have warned the public about the dangers of tobacco use for several decades.

Long-Term Effects Short-Term Effects Brain chemistry changes. Respiration and heart rate increase. Taste buds are dulled and appetite is reduced. Bad breath, yellowed teeth, and smelly hair, skin, and clothes.

Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects Chronic bronchitis Emphysema Lung cancer Coronary heart disease and stroke A weakened immune system

Long-Term Effects Smokers cause severe damage to their lungs. Compare the healthy lung on the left with the one damaged by tobacco on the right.

Long-Term Effects Nervous System Respiratory System Circulatory System Addiction Stroke Respiratory System Coughing Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer Circulatory System Increased heart rate and blood pressure Hardened arteries, decreased blood flow Heart attack, stroke

Long-Term Effects Excretory System Digestive System Cancer of the bladder Cancer of the kidneys Digestive System Cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus Gum recession, tooth decay, tooth loss Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea Cancers of the stomach and pancreas

Long-Term Effects

Other Consequences of Tobacco Use As well as health risks, tobacco use is costly. Making the decision to avoid the use of tobacco products will safeguard your health.

Other Consequences of Tobacco Use Tobacco-related illnesses cost the United States about $165 billion each year. Costs to Society A person smoking one pack of cigarettes a day will spend about $1,500 a year on the habit. Costs to Individuals Selling tobacco products to minors is illegal. Using tobacco at school can lead to suspension or expulsion. Legal Consequences

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary What is an addictive drug? What is the addictive drug in tobacco? A substance that causes physiological or psychological dependence; nicotine

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary List three types of toxic substances found in cigarette smoke. Why are these substances harmful? Nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide; nicotine causes addiction, tar causes such diseases as emphysema and lung cancer, carbon monoxide deprives the body of oxygen.

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary Explain four ways using tobacco immediately affects your body. Any four: Brain chemistry changes; respiration and heart rates increase; taste buds are dulled; appetite is reduced; users have bad breath, yellowed teeth, and smelly clothes