ABUSES TO LIFE PROCESSES

TOBACCO

http://www.tobacco-news.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/cigarette-packaging.jpg

What is tobacco?

• It is a plant in which the leaves are dried are used to make cigarettes.

• There are more than 4 000 toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke. The smoke from the cigarette mostly contains substances which are harmful to the body. The most harmful substances include tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide.

tar

nicotine

carbon monoxide

Tar

• It is a sticky and brown substance.• It coats and damages the lungs which

eventually cause emphysema and bronchitis.

Emphysema

• A lung disease that reduces the ability to exhale.

Bronchitis

• Inflammation of the bronchial tubes. The lining of the breathing tubes swell and becomes narrower, thus promoting the secretion of inflammatory fluids

Nicotine

• It is an addictive drug.• One of the effects of nicotine is that

it increases the heart rate. This can lead to heart attack.

Carbon monoxide

• It is a major component in cigarette smoke.• It is a poisonous gas.• It decreases the ability of the blood

to absorb oxygen from the lungs. Less oxygen is carried throughout the body.

• If a pregnant mother is smoking, there is a higher chance for the baby to be born underweight, premature, or with cleft lip and palate.

Underweight baby

Premature baby

Infant with cleft lip and palate

Who are passive smokers?

• They are people who breathe in cigarette smoke.

How can we stop people from smoking?

• Educate people on the harmful effects of smoking.• Put health warnings on cigarette

packets.• Stop tobacco companies from

advertising in magazines and televisions.

Summary• Tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide are

among the harmful chemicals present in cigarette smoke.

• Among the effects of active and passive smoking are emphysema, bronchitis, heart attack and baby might be born underweight, premature or with cleft lip and palate.

• There are ways to refrain people from smoking.