Chapter 21

Tobacco

Chemicals in a Cigarette

4,000 different chemicals – ammonia, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, methanol, acetone, etc.

Why do they add all of these chemicals?

Tobacco smoke is classified a Type A carcinogen – cancer causing agent Type A is the most dangerous

Nicotine

The addictive drug found in tobacco leaves

Stimulant- a drug that increases the action of the central nervous system, heart, and other organs Raises blood pressure, heart rate, and

contributes to heart disease and stroke

Tar

A thick, sticky, dark fluid that is produced when tobacco burns Destroys cilia (tiny hair like structures

that line the upper respiratory system and protect against infection)

Damages alveoli (air sacs responsible for oxygen exchange)

Damages lung tissue making you more susceptible to diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema, and cancer

Long/Short Term Effects of Tobacco What are the long and short term effects

of tobacco use? “Harmful effects”

Pipes and cigars- pg 541 Smokeless tobacco- pg 542 Tobacco- pg 542-544

Carbon Monoxide

Colorless, odorless and poisonous gas

CO replaces oxygen in the blood & deprives cells & tissues of oxygen

Increases risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and hardening of the arteries

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Mainstream smoke: exhaled from

smoker’s lungs Sidestream smoke: smoke from the end

of a burning cigarette Effects:

Headache Irritated eyes Cough Each year 3,000 people get lung cancer as a

result of ETS

Cigars and Pipe Tobacco

Not a safe alternative Contain significantly more

nicotine and produce more tar and carbon monoxide

Increased risk of lip, mouth, and throat cancer

Smokeless Tobacco

NOT a safe alternativeDelivers nicotine and carcinogens at 2-3 times that of 1 cigarette

Cancer of throat, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, & mouth

Smokeless Tobacco and Cancer Contains 28 carcinogens Strongly associated with leukoplakia

—a precancerous lesion of the soft tissue in the mouth that consists of a white patch or plaque that cannot be scraped off.

Associated with recession of the gums, gum disease, and tooth decay.

Oral Cancer-smokeless tobacco

Smoked tobacco

Discoloration of teeth, nails, and skin Chronic Bronchitis – coughing and

mucus secretion Emphysema: disease that destroys

the tiny air sacs in the lungs Lung Cancer: two – three years

before death

Smoker’s Lung

All tobacco products

Heart disease and stroke: nicotine constricts blood flow and causes plaque build-up on artery walls