nicotine/acholic/tobaco

Nicotine

A chemical commonly found in cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products; highly addictive stimulant.

Leading preventable cause of death in the US

Cigarette smoking.

Percentage of tobacco users who start before age 21

Nearly all tobacco users start before age 21.

Annual death toll from tobacco-related illnesses in the US

More than 480,000 people.

Smoking causes about __________ of deaths in the US each year.

1 out of 5 deaths.

Comparative death rates from smoking

Smoking kills more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, HIV, guns, and illegal drugs combined.

Life expectancy reduction for male smokers

About 12 years.

Life expectancy reduction for female smokers

About 11 years.

Common diseases caused by smoking

Lung cancer, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

Effects of second-hand smoke

Harms non-smokers, increasing their risk for various health problems.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; includes symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing up mucus.

Chronic Bronchitis

Condition where airways produce too much mucus, causing swollen airways and a chronic cough.

Emphysema

Condition where walls between air sacs break down, creating larger/fewer sacs.

Cardiovascular consequences of smoking

Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack.

Cannabis

A plant with a dry, shredded green/brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves, mainly containing THC.

Main active ingredient in cannabis

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which can stay in the body for up to one month.

Short term effects of cannabis

Drowsiness, impaired short-term memory, and reduced ability to concentrate.

Long term effects of cannabis

Paranoia, carbon monoxide and tar in lungs, and increased potential for lung cancer.