Smoking, vaping, alcohol

Smoking:

Definition: a practice in which a substance is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled to be tasted and absorbed into bloodstream

Health Risks:

• Smoking causes 16 types of cancers, including lung, throat, bladder, and stomach cancers

• Leads to DNA damage, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation

• Weakens the immune system, reducing the ability to eliminate cancerous cells

Vaping:

Definition: relates to the use of e-cigarettes/vapes, battery powered devices that use an element to turn a liquid into an aerosol which is inhaled into the lungs

Impacts of vaping:

• Long term health impacts are not known

• Can damage cells and DNA

• Cause irritation and harm to mouth, nose, throat and lungs

Contains nicotine: addictive chemical that impairs brain development and can lead to poisoning, depression and anxiety

Contains carcinogens: things that have the potential to cause cancer such as UV radiation, cigarette and asbestos

Smoking and vaping impacts:

• Cardiovascular disease

• Many forms of cancer such as lung, mouth and stomach

• Prenatal and infant health outcomes, low birthweight, premature death, etc.

• Respiratory conditions

• Back pain and problems

• Increased risk of infection

Smoking can lead to:

1. CVD: reduces oxygen in blood, increased blood pressure and heart rate, atherosclerosis, heart attack and strock

2. Cancer: cells divide, tumours and cancer

3. Asthma: smoking, increases risk of asthma

Alcohol misuse:

Definition: relates to excessive consumption of alcohol and includes alcoholism and binge-drinking

Alcoholism: when a person cannot stop drinking once they have started or has a constant desire to drink alcohol

Binge drinking: in Australia it is defined as consuming more than four standard drinks in one sitting

Impacts of alcohol use:

• Cancer

• liver disease including cirrhosis

• injuries including self-harm

• mental health issues

• prenatal and infant health outcomes including foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, premature birth and low birthweight

• overweight and obesity and associated impacts including cardiovascular disease

Short-term effects:

• Impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing accident risks.

• Can cause alcohol poisoning, which may be life-threatening.

Long-term effects:

• Brain: Slows communication, impairs decision-making, and worsens mental health.

• Liver: Excessive drinking damages liver cells, leading to liver disease.

• Heart: Raises blood pressure, increasing risks of cardiovascular diseases.

• Immune System: Weakens the ability to fight infections.

• Weight Gain: Alcohol’s high energy content contributes to obesity and related conditions (e.g., diabetes).