1. Health Chapters 20 & 21 Notes
Tobacco & Alcohol

2. Tobacco
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the US
Approximately 90% of adult smokers began the habit as teenagers
It’s easier to avoid tobacco use rather than quit later
Tobacco is an addictive drug (substance that causes physiological or psychological dependence)

3. Tobacco Nicotine is the addictive drug found in tobacco leaves
Nicotine is a stimulant (increases the action of CNS, heart, and other organs)
Tobacco is a carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) as it contains tar, CO2, and other poisonous compounds

4. Tobacco Tar is a thick/dark/sticky fluid produced when tobacco burns
Paralyzes and destroys cilia, destroy alveoli, and reduce overall lung function
CO2 is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas
Deprives body tissues/cells of oxygen and increases the risk of high BP, heart disease, and hardening of the arteries

5. Tobacco
Smokeless tobacco can be sniffed through the nose, held in the mouth, or chewed
It is NOT a safe alternative to smoking
Exposure to harmful chemicals is often three times longer with smokeless tobacco
Leukoplakia - thickened/white/leathery spots on the inside of the mouth that can develop into oral cancer

6. Tobacco Short-term effects include… Long-term effects
Brain chemistry changes, respiration and HR increase, dulling of taste buds (appetite reduction), and bad hygiene (bad breath, yellow teeth, and smelly)
Long-term effects
Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lunc cancer, heart disease and stroke, and a weakened immune system

7. Tobacco Other consequences of tobacco use…
Costs to society (~$165 billion in US)
Costs to individuals (~$1,500 annually for “pack-a-day” habit)
Legal consequences

8. Alcohol
Ethanol is the type of alcohol in alcoholic beverages (is both powerful & addictive)
Fermentation is the process by which alcoholic beverages are created (chemical action of yeast on sugars)
Alcohol is a depressant (drug that slows the central nervous system)

9. Alcohol Short-term effects of alcohol use
Slows reaction time, impairs vision, and diminishes judgment
Intoxication - state where body is poisoned by a drug and their physical/mental control is significantly reduced
Alcohol stays in a person’s system until the liver can metabolize it or break it down
Alcohol intoxication varies by person

10. Alcohol
Some factors that influence onset and intensity of alcohol’s effects include…
Body size
Gender
Food (have you eaten recently?)
Rate of intake
Amount consumed
Any medicines you might be taking

11. Alcohol Long-term effects of alcohol use
Damage to brain cells and reduced brain size
Increases BP (leading to heart attacks/stroke)
Buildup of fat cells in liver (~cell death)
Damage to digestive lining of stomach (can lead to ulcers/cancer)
Destruction of pancreas

12. Alcohol
BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is the amount of alcohol in a person’s blood and is expressed as a percentage
BAC depends on the quantity and type of alcohol that was consumed, the rate of consumption, and body size/gender
Any amount of alcohol in the system can cause slow reflexes, reduced ability to judge distances/speeds, increase in risk-taking behaviors, and reduced concentration and increased forgetfulness

13. Alcohol
Binge drinking is consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting
This can lead to alcohol poisoning (a severe and possibly fatal physical reaction to alcohol overdose)
Alcohol acts as a depressant on body organs