Reasons Not To Smoke
-
Hurts your health (lung cancer, lung disease, heart attacks, heart disease)
-
Breath, clothes and hair smell bad
-
Cigarettes are addicting
-
Teeth become yellow
-
Smoking harms others (secondhand smoke) and the environment
- Illegal for minors
- Lack of energy
Nearly 438,000 Americans die each year from tobacco related diseases, with heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases accounting for more than one third of these deaths.
Consequences
What is addiction?
It is when the body physically needs nicotine to feel okay. If you smoke one or two cigarettes a day for four or five days in a row, you can become addicted. Nearly one-third of people who try a single cigarette eventually develop dependence on tobacco.
Why does smoking cause your heart to beat faster?
Nicotine is a stimulant - it elevates blood pressure, central nervous
system functions, breathing, and heart rate.
Does it help to stop smoking?
Yes and right away.
At 24 hours after quitting: the chance of a heart attack decreases.
After 48 hours: nerve endings start regrowing. The ability to taste and smell is enhanced.
After 1-9 months: coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
After one year: risk of heart disease decreases to half that of a smoker.
After 5-15 years: stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.
After 10 years: risk of lung cancer is half that of smokers.
After 15 years: risk of heart disease decreases to that of those
who have never smoked.
Is it harmful to be around people who smoke?
Yes. It causes lung cancer and heart disease. Young children are especially at risk. It can cause respiratory and ear infections and make children with asthma sicker.
How can you tell if someone is addicted to cigarettes?
He or she can't get through a day without smoking a cigarette.
Why does smoking make you dizzy?
When you smoke, you inhale the carbon monoxide from the smoke. Carbon
monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood. The blood then contains a lower
level of oxygen, which is what makes you dizzy.
Name two long-term respiratory problems caused by smoking
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
What is emphysema?
In a healthy lung, small bag-like clusters fill with air. Emphysema causes these bags to break down, so that you're lungs cannot hold as much air.