Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ten Details About Tobacco Abuse

Tobacco abuse can have serious health effects over time.


Tobacco is a commonly used addictive drug that is debilitating to the user's health. Tobacco is most commonly used in the form of cigarettes but is also consumed in cigars, chewing tobacco and several other forms. The usage of tobacco damages the user's health in many ways, including significantly increasing the risk of acquiring many types of cancer.


Tobacco Use is the Leading Preventable Cause of Death in the United States


Smoking caused almost 467,000 deaths in the United States in 2005, making it the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The second and third causes of death are high blood pressure and obesity.


Smoking Causes Lung Cancer


According to the National Cancer Institute, 90 percent of lung cancer deaths among men and 80 percent among women are the result of tobacco use.


Tobacco is Addictive


Tobacco contains an addictive drug called nicotine. Nicotine causes long-term brain changes that form an addiction.


Nicotine Does Not Directly Cause Tobacco Health Consequences


While nicotine is an extremely addictive drug, it is only mildly toxic compared to many other chemicals found in tobacco. Agents such as carbon monoxide, cyanide and tar, all of which are found in tobacco, contribute to the risk of cancer and other tobacco-related health complications.


As of 2008, Over 46 Million People Smoked in the United States


As of 2008, there were 24.8 million men and 21.1 million women who smoked in the United States.


There Are Over 4,000 Chemicals in Tobacco


Of the 4,000 chemicals in tobacco, over 100 are known poisons and 63 are known to cause cancer.


Nonsmokers Suffer from Secondhand Smoke


Secondhand smoking is when a nonsmoker inhales the smoke from a cigarette someone else is smoking. In 2008, an estimated 88 million nonsmokers were exposed to cigarette smoke. Frequent exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to the same health problems caused by smoking.


Smokeless Tobacco is Not a Safe Alternative to Cigarettes.


Smokeless forms of tobacco, such as snuff and chewing tobacco, are not safe alternatives to cigarettes. All forms of tobacco contain nicotine and are addictive. Smokeless tobacco can also cause cancer and is just as dangerous as cigarettes.


Adolescents are More Vulnerable Than Adults to Tobacco Abuse


In addition to peer pressure, adolescents are more likely to become addicted to nicotine than adults. Recent studies have shown that adolescents are more likely to become addicted from intermittent smoking than adults. The increased risk of nicotine addiction among adolescents can be traced to biological factors. There may be specific genes responsible for increased vulnerability to nicotine addiction during adolescence.


Men and Women Differ in Smoking Behaviors


Research has shown that men and women differ in smoking habits. Men tend to smoke more cigarettes a day, consume cigarettes with more nicotine and inhale deeper than women. Women are less likely to attempt to quit and are more likely to relapse if they do quit.









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