Tobacco Facts

Forms of tobacco:

Cigarrettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuf, and chewing tobacco

The main ingredient:

Tobacco is a plant that is dried and then mixed with highly toxic (carcinogens) additives like ammonia, formaldehyde, tar, toluene (paint thinner). The active ingredient nicotine is highly addictive.

Why People May Use Tobacco

Relax/Stress relief
Social connection or making new connections
Coping mechanism
Boredom
Curiosity

Impact of Use

Academic Impact

Difficulty concentrating unless you've had a "fix".

Social Impact

Arguments with family & friends over use
May not be attractive to potential dating partners.
Financial problems
Difficulty coping with stress without smoking
Socially unacceptable in many settings.

Physiological Impact

Changes in brain chemistry
Respiratory illnesses (chronic cough, phlegm, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung infections)
Smoking has been directly linked to lung cancer, emphysema, heart disease and many other illnesses.
Compromised immune system leading to prolonged time in recovering from cold or flu
Breathing becomes labored leading to difficulty walking long distances or exercising.
Nicotine is highly addictive and may be difficult to stop.