1. Nicotine and Tobacco Use
The Harmful Effects of Cigarettes

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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