Republic of the Philippines

Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

HEALTH 8
Quarter 4 – Module 4A Prevention of
Substance Use and Abuse

Prepared by :
Mr. Cris Briones and Mr. Jendel L. Monreal
 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

GATEWAY DRUGS : CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOL

At the end for the lesson, the students will be able to :

a) define what are gateway drugs;

b) identify the types of gateway drugs; and
c) illustrate the ways of preventing the abuse of gateway drugs through a poster
slogan.

INTRODUCTION

The term “Gateway Drug” is used to describe any drug that a non-drug user might try out
that can lead to the consumption of a more dangerous drug. Cigarettes and alcohol are “gateway
drugs”. Gateway drugs are legal drugs that are readily accessible. People who abuse more
dangerous drugs such as marijuana and shabu often start from cigarette smoking and drinking
alcohol. Since cigarettes and alcohol are readily available and generally accepted in our society,
many people use them for various purposes. Teenagers are especially vulnerable because they are
curious and risk-takers.

According to the study done by the National Youth Commission (NYC), 2 out of 5
Filipino teenagers aged 13 to 15 years old, smoke cigarettes ([Link], March 16, 2012).
Furthermore, in a study conducted by an anti-tobacco group in the year 2011, ten Filipinos die
every year of tobacco-related diseases (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sept. 19, 2011). Health experts
explained that the continuous increase in cigarette use and alcohol consumption by Filipino
teenagers is due to its very cheap price.

Many pro-health groups asked the government to increase taxes from cigarette and
alcohol companies. In response, President Duterte signed Republic Act 11467 imposing
additional excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol products including ecigarettes ([Link], Jan.
23, 2020). Prices on cigarettes increased up to 500% while alcohol increased approximately 50
php per liter. Banning of sale of tobacco and alcohol products is enforced for minors.

THE DANGER OF SMOKING CIGARETTES

Tobacco is a tall, leafy plant,
originally grown in South and Central
America, but now cultivated throughout
the world. There are many species of
tobacco but “Nicotiana tabacum” or
sometimes called “common tobacco” is
preferred for producing present day
cigarettes.
According to the World Health
Organization, tobacco smoking and
chewing is the second leading cause of
death around the world. It is responsible
for the death of one in ten adults
 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

worldwide, approximately reaching

about 5 million deaths in a year. It is
estimated that the death toll will rise to
10 million each year, by the year 2020.
Every time a cigarette is lit, smoke is emitted. There are three type of smokes produced
by cigarettes namely:

1. Mainstream Smoke - refers specifically

to the smoke that a smoker directly
inhales.
2. Second-hand Smoke – the smoke that
comes out of the lighted end of a
cigarette or pipe. It is also a smoke that
has been exhaled, or breathed out, by the
person smoking This is also called
sidestream smoke or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). This is more dangerous as
it exposes and harms adults and children that are non-smokers near the person
smoking.
3. Third-hand Smoke – smoke that settles or left for a long time on clothes, sofa,
beddings, pillow, carpet, car seat and other objects. This smoke also called “residual
tobacco smoke (RTS)” settles along with dust and can last for months. This smoke
still contains harmful chemicals and carcinogens. This is even more dangerous as it
exposes and harms everyone even if the smoking person is no longer around.

HEALTH EFFECTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKING

 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

Smoking can cause diseases and harms nearly every organ of the body. The
illustration above are pictures from cigarette packaging. The Philippines government issued
an Order on May 24, 2010, which required graphic health warnings on all tobacco packages.
This is to discourage smokers and would-be smokers to smoke. The major disease that is
caused by smoking are classified as follow:
1. Cancer – refers to diseases where abnormal cells divide out of control and invade other
tissues or organs. Most cancers are named for the organ or type of cell in which they start.
For example, lung cancer begins in the lung and oral cancer begins in the mouth.
2. COPD – (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) refers to a group of diseases that cause
airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. COPD includes emphysema; chronic
bronchitis and asthma.
3. Heart Disease – this includes several types of heart conditions and blood vessel disorders.
The most common type is coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease),
which is the narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to the heart. Also includes
atherosclerosis, the hardening of the artery.
4. Pregnancy complications – smoking during pregnancy increases the risk for pregnancy
complications including miscarriages and birth defects.

There are major components of cigarette smoke - tar, nicotine, and carbon
monoxide. Tar contains most of the cancer-causing and other harmful chemicals found in
tobacco smoke. When tobacco smoke is inhaled, the tar can form a sticky layer on the inside
of the lungs. This damages the lungs and leads to lung cancer and COPD. Nicotine is the
addicting component of cigarette smoke. This is the reason why most cigarette smokers can’t
quit smoking. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas. Lack of oxygen
in cells forces the heart to work harder to distribute oxygen around the body. Carbon
monoxide is a major contributor to heart disease, including heart attacks and atherosclerosis.

THE DANGER OF ALCOHOL

Alcohol is a colorless, bitter-tasting substance that humans have been consuming
since the ancient times. It comes from plants that underwent fermentation. Fermentation is
the process of extracting alcohol from a plant or fruit. An example of fermented alcohol is a
beer. A beer is extracted from grains. On the other hand, wines are from grapes and other
fruits. There are three types of alcohol: isopropyl, methanol and ethanol. Isopropyl and
methanol are used in laboratories and are poisonous and fatal if taken. On the other hand,
ethanol is also called the beverage alcohol. This is what humans consume that intoxicates and
alters the nervous system.
 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

THE ALCOHOL PATH

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL DRINKING

When alcohol enters the bloodstream, it goes in all the parts of the body. The main
effect of alcohol drinking reflects on a person’s central nervous system (CNS). The CNS
control’s one’s mental processes, memory, speech, learning, and decision making. It also
affects a person’s senses, feelings, movement and breathing. The amount of alcohol that
entered in the bloodstream at a certain period can be measured in percentages through blood
alcohol concentration (BAC) or most often called blood alcohol level (BAL). A BAC of 0.05
percent means there is 5 parts of alcohol per 10,000 parts of blood in the body. A 0.3-0.5
percent BAC could lead to coma, brain damages and even death.
 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

ACTIVITY #1 : START IT UP!!!!!

INSTRUCTIONS: Study the editorial cartoon and describe the picture. Do you agree what the
picture intends to tell you ? Why?

ACTIVITY #2 :Why do teenagers Smoke?!!!!!

INSTRUCTIONS:Answer the following questions.
 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

ACTIVITY #2 :Why do teenagers Smoke?!!!!!

INSTRUCTIONS: Copy the diagram below in your health notebook and compete the
required information.

ASSESSMENT 1
INSTRUCTIONS: Read each item correctly and answer the following questions
honestly.

1. What does the term "gateway drug" refer to?

A) A drug that is illegal but easy to access
B) A drug that leads to the use of more dangerous substances
C) A drug that only affects teenagers
D) A drug that is legal but harmful
2. What is one major reason Filipino teenagers are more likely to smoke and drink
alcohol?
A) They have a higher income to afford these products
B) Cigarettes and alcohol are relatively cheap
C) They have limited access to other recreational activities
D) They are encouraged by health experts to try them
3. What is Republic Act 11467 about?
A) It bans tobacco and alcohol sales for minors
B) It increases the taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and e-cigarette products
 Republic of the Philippines
Ramon Teves Pastoral Memorial Dumaguete Science High School

C) It imposes restrictions on advertising for health products

D) It provides free healthcare for smokers and drinkers
4. Which type of smoke is described as the smoke emitted from the lit end of a cigarette
or pipe?
A) Mainstream Smoke B) Second-hand Smoke
C) Third-hand Smoke D) Environmental Tobacco Smoke
5. What is the second leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health
Organization?
A) Heart disease B) Cancer
C) Tobacco smoking and chewing D) Alcohol poisoning
6. Which of the following is a major health condition caused by smoking cigarettes?
A) Asthma
B) Diabetes
C) COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
D) Stroke
7. What is the primary addictive component found in cigarette smoke?
A) Tar B) Carbon monoxide
C) Nicotine D) Methanol
8. Which type of alcohol is the substance that intoxicates and alters the nervous system
when consumed?
A) Isopropyl alcohol B) Methanol
C) Ethanol D) Butanol
9. What does a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.3-0.5 percent indicate?
A) The person is sober and unaffected
B) The person might experience mild dizziness
C) The person could experience coma, brain damage, or death
D) The person will have normal functioning
10. What is the main danger of third-hand smoke?
A) It affects only the smoker's lungs
B) It can harm both smokers and non-smokers even after the person is no longer
around
C) It only affects children
D) It has no harmful effects