Tobacco is also known as cigarettes, bides, cigars, chew, pipe, snuff, dip and smokeless tobacco. Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 different chemicals like arsenic and formaldehyde. The three main components of smoke, all of which affect the human body, are nicotine, carbon monoxide and tar. Smokeless tobacco contains 28 carcinogens and is absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than from smoking.
Nicotine is a colorless, highly volatile liquid alkaloid. When smoked, nicotine enters the lungs and is then absorbed into the bloodstream. When chewed or dipped, nicotine is absorbed through the mucous lining of the mouth.
Effects of tobacco use are:
Increase in heart rate and blood pressure, changes in blood composition and changes in metabolism. Inflammation of gum tissue, tooth decay, receding gums and tooth loss.
Secondhand smoke will cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat to non-smokers and increases the risk for lung cancer from 10 to 30%.
Long term effects are chronic bronchitis, emphysema and recurrent infections in the airways, and cancer of the lungs, mouth, larynx, esophagus and pancreas.
Hudson Health Center Athens, Ohio 45701 T: (740) 593-1660
