Finally, tobacco is highly addictive. It is considered mood and behavior altering. Tobacco is believed to have an addictive potential comparable to alcohol,
HEALTH RISKS
There are many reasons to quit using tobacco. Knowing the serious health risks may help motivate you to quit. When used over a long period, tobacco and related chemicals such as tar and nicotine can increase your risk of:
-
Blood clots , which may lead to aneurysms and strokes - Cancer (especially in the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix)
-
Coronary artery disease , including angina and heart attacks - Decreased ability to taste and smell
- Delayed wound healing
-
High blood pressure - Lung problems such as emphysema and
chronic bronchitis - Pregnancy-related problems, including miscarriage, premature labor, low birth weight, and risk for sudden infant death syndrome (
SIDS ) - Tooth and gum diseases
You have the same risks if you use smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff, etc.) for a long time. In addition, smokeless tobacco users have a 50 times greater risk for mouth cancer than those who do not use such products.
SECONDHAND SMOKE
Those who are regularly around the smoke of others (secondhand smoke) have a higher risk of:
- Coronary artery disease
-
Lung cancer - Sudden and severe reactions, including those involving the eye, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract
Infants and children that are exposed regularly to secondhand smoke are at risk of:
- Asthma
- Infections, including virus-caused upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and
pneumonia - Lungs that do not work as well (poor lung function)
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
TIME TO QUIT
There are a lot of ways to quit smoking and many resources to help you. Family members, friends, and coworkers may be supportive or encouraging, but the desire and commitment to quit must be your own.
Most people who have been able to successfully quit smoking made at least one unsuccessful attempt in the past. Try not to view past attempts to quit as failures, but rather as learning experiences.
