Negative Consequences of Smoking

FACTS ABOUT TEENAGE SMOKING

• 4 out of 10 students aged 13-15 years old smoke cigarettes.
• Almost one fifth of young Filipinos begin smoking before age 10.
• 70 percent of boys begin smoking by age 20.
• Among Filipino girls, residence in cosmopolitan Metro Manila is associated with
high probability of smoking, and those who were raised with both parents
present were less likely to smoke than those who grew up with a single parent.
• For both genders, those who have close relationships with parents were less
likely to smoke. [Teen Tobacco Epidemic in Asia, 2004]
Introduction
The use of tobacco continues to be a major cause of health problems worldwide. There
is currently an estimated 1.3 billion smokers in the world, with 4.9 million people dying
because of tobacco use in a year.  If this trend continues, the number of deaths will
increase to 10 million by the year 2020, 70% of which will be coming from countries like
the Philippines. (The Role of Health Professionals in Tobacco Control, WHO, 2005)

Cigarette smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, including 43

known carcinogenic compounds and 400 other toxins. These include nicotine, tar, and
carbon monoxide as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, ddt, hydrogen cyanice, arsenic.
Nicotine is highly addictive. Smoke containing nicotine is inhaled into the lungs, and the
nicotine reaches your brain in just 6 seconds.

As a cigarette is smoked, the amount of tar inhaled into the lungs increases, and the
last puff contains more than twice as much tar as the first puff. Tar is a mixture of
substances that together form a sticky mass in the lungs.
 DISEASES
CAUSED BY SMOKING

 SKIN CHANGES

 HEART ATTACK
Heart Attack is caused by Tar in tobacco causing damage to the blood vessels of the
heart

 BRAIN DAMAGE & STROKE

Stroke is caused by Tar in tobacco causing damage to the blood vessels of the brain

 FOOT AND LEG ULCERS

Leg Ulcers are caused by Tar in tobacco blocking the blood vessels to the legs
  LUNG CANCER

Lung Cancer is the most dangerous disease of tobacco smoking. Death is 100% sure.

 OTHER CANCERS

Throat Cancer Mouth Cancer

BENEFITS OF QUITTING SMOKING

 Within 2 days, No nicotine left in the body. Taste and smell are greatly
improved.
  The younger you stop smoking, the more chance you have to benefit later.

 Within 3 days, Breathing becomes easier

 Within 2-12 weeks, Circulation improves

 Within 3-9 months, Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as the
lungs have room for up to 10% more oxygen.

 Within 1 year, risk of heart attack is cut in half

 Within 10 years, risk of lung cancer is cut in half

 Within 15 years, risk of heart attack is the same as a person who never smoked!

 Medium to long-term, Risk of developing lung cancer, other cancers, heart

attack, stroke and chronic lung disease is reduced.

 Medium to long-term, Stopping smoking increases life expectancy. Smokers

who stop before the age of 35 have a life expectancy significantly different from
that of a non-smoker!

Content source: Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for

Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion