Risks of tobacco

Tobacco is a plant. Its leaves are smoked, chewed, or sniffed for a variety of effects.

• Tobacco is an addictive substance because it contains the chemical nicotine.
• Tobacco contains more than 19 known cancer-causing chemicals (most are called "tar.")

HEALTH RISKS OF SMOKING OR SMOKELESS TOBACCO

There are many more 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 many health problems.

Heart and blood vessel problems:

• Blood clots and aneurysms in the brain, which can lead to stroke
• Blood clots in the legs, which may travel to the lungs
• Coronary artery disease, including angina and heart attacks
• High blood pressure
• Poor blood supply to the legs
• Problems with erections because of decreased blood flow into the penis

Other health risks or problems:

• Cancer (especially in the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix)
• Poor wound healing, especially after surgery
• Lung problems, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, or asthma that is harder to control.
• Problems during pregnancy, such as babies born at low birth weight, premature labor, miscarriage, andcleft lip.
• Decreased ability to taste and smell
• Harm to sperm, which contributes to infertility
• Loss of sight due to an increased risk of macular degeneration
• Tooth and gum diseases
• Wrinkling of the skin

Smokers who switch to smokeless tobacco instead of quitting tobacco completely still have a number of health risks:

• Increased risk of mouth or nasal cancer
• Gum problems, tooth wear, and cavities
• Worsening high blood pressure and angina

HEALTH RISKS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE

Those who are regularly around the smoke of others (secondhand smoke) have a higher risk of:

• Heart attack and heart disease
• Lung cancer
• Sudden and severe reactions, including those involving the eye, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract

Infants and children who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of:

• Asthma (children with asthma who live with a smoker are much more likely to visit the emergency room)
• Infections, including virus-caused upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and pneumonia
• Lung damage (poor lung function)
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult, especially if you are acting alone. 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.
• Talk to your health care provider about nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation medications.
• If you join smoking cessation programs, you have a much better chance of success. Such programs are offered by hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites.

Goal

Reduce illness, disability, and death related to tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure.

Overview

Scientific knowledge about the health effects of tobacco use has increased greatly since the first Surgeon General’s report on tobacco was released in 1964.

Tobacco use causes:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Lung diseases (including emphysema, bronchitis, and chronic airway obstruction)
• Premature birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, and infant death

There is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes heart disease and lung cancer in adults and a number of health problems in infants and children, including:

• Severe asthma attacks
• Respiratory infections
• Ear infections
• Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Smokeless tobacco causes a number of serious oral health problems, including cancer of the mouth and gums, periodontitis, and tooth loss. Cigar use causes cancer of the larynx, mouth, esophagus, and lung.

Why Is Preventing Tobacco Use Important?

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Each year, approximately 443,000 Americans die from tobacco-related illnesses. For every person who dies from tobacco use, 20 more people suffer with at least 1 serious tobacco-related illness. In addition, tobacco use costs the U.S. $193 billion annually in direct medical expenses and lost productivity.

Healthy People 2020: A Framework for Ending the Tobacco Use Epidemic

Healthy People 2020 provides a framework for action to reduce tobacco use to the point that it is no longer a public health problem for the Nation. Research has identified a number of effective strategies that will contribute to ending the tobacco use epidemic.Based on more than 45 years of evidence, it is clear that the toll tobacco use takes on families and communities can be significantly reduced by:

• Fully funding tobacco control programs.
• Increasing the price of tobacco products.
• Enacting comprehensive smoke-free policies.
• Controlling access to tobacco products.
• Reducing tobacco advertising and promotion.
• Implementing anti-tobacco media campaigns.
• Encouraging and assisting tobacco users to quit.

The Healthy People 2020 Tobacco Use objectives are organized into 3 key areas:

1. Tobacco Use Prevalence: Implementing policies to reduce tobacco use and initiation among youth and adults.
2. Health System Changes: Adopting policies and strategies to increase access, affordability, and use of smoking cessation services and treatments.
3. Social and Environmental Changes: Establishing policies to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, increase the cost of tobacco, restrict tobacco advertising, and reduce illegal sales to minors.

Helping Smokers Quit

Preventing tobacco use and helping tobacco users quit can improve the health and quality of life for Americans of all ages. People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk of disease and premature death. Benefits are greater for people who stop at earlier ages, but quitting tobacco use is beneficial at any age.

Understanding Tobacco Use

Many factors influence tobacco use, disease, and mortality. Risk factors include race/ethnicity, age, education, and socioeconomic status. Significant disparities in tobacco use exist geographically; such disparities typically result from differences among states in smoke-free protections, tobacco prices, and program funding for tobacco prevention.

Emerging Issues in Tobacco Use

From 2009-2010, major advances were made in the campaign to end the tobacco use epidemic, including:

1. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted the authority to regulate the sales, advertising, and ingredient content of all tobacco products marketed in the United States.
2. The Federal Government increased the Federal tobacco excise tax by $0.61 to $1.01 per pack.
3. 25 states and the District of Columbia (DC) had comprehensive smoke-free laws eliminating smoking in workplaces, restaurants, and bars, and 14 States and DC had cigarette excise tax rates of at least $2 per pack.