Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Chapter 9 Tobacco 259
moking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United
States. This lesson examines different types of tobacco products, the
physical effects of tobacco use on the body, and the health impact of
being around others who smoke.
Tobacco Products
Tobacco is a plant used for the production of tobacco-related prod-
ucts, such as cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Tobacco leaves contain the
chemical nicotine, an addictive, toxic substance that gives tobacco prod-
ucts their addictive quality. The most common method of using tobacco
is smoking cigarettes. Other methods of tobacco use include cigars, pipes,
hookahs, smokeless tobacco, and electronic cigarettes. Some people believe
that these methods of tobacco use are safer, healthier, or less addictive than
regular cigarettes. The reality is that all forms of tobacco use are associated
with addiction and serious health consequences (Figure 9.1).
S
tobacco
a plant that is used to
produce cigarettes and
other products; contains
nicotine
nicotine
an addictive, toxic
substance present in
tobacco products
Health Risks of Using Tobacco over Time
Nervous System
• Stroke
• Exposure to nicotine during
adolescence is linked to lasting
adverse affects on brain development
• Addiction
Mouth
• Cancers of the mouth
• Gum disease and loss of teeth
• Loss of ability to taste and smell
Eyes
• Vision loss
Lungs
• Lung cancer, chronic
bronchitis, and emphysema
• Smoking during
adolescence–when the lungs
are still growing–may
permanently stunt the growth
of the lungs so they never
perform at full capacity
• More lung infections and
asthma attacks
Cardiovascular System
• Increased heart rate and
blood pressure
• Constricted blood vessels
and buildup of plaque
• Carbon monoxide interferes
with the ability of blood cells
to carry oxygen
• Increased risk of heart
attack or stroke
(nonsmokers who inhale
secondhand smoke have a
greater risk of stroke)
Immune System
• Weakened immune
system, leaving smokers
more susceptible to colds,
the flu, and other illnesses
and diseases
Reproductive System
• Smoking while pregnant
is linked to birth defects
• Infertility
• Impotence in men
Digestive System
• Cancers of the stomach,
liver, pancreas, and esophagus
• Colorectal cancer
Urinary System
• Cancers of the kidney and
bladder
Endocrine System
• Insulin resistance and
diabetes
Appearance and Hygiene
• Bad breath
• Smelly hair and clothes
• Yellow-brown stained teeth
• Stained fingertips and
fingernails
• Premature aging of the skin
(more wrinkles)
• Loss of teeth due to gum
disease
Tobacco use affects the
entire body, and its harmful
effects are not always
reversible.
Figure 9.1