patient education : 92010--Tobacco Use and Its Health Risks

Why do I need to know about the health risks of tobacco use?

• Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the US. It kills up to half of the people that use it. Tobacco is the #1 risk factor for lung cancer. When a person smokes a cigarette they are absorbing nicotine and about 7000 other chemicals as well.

What are the health risks of tobacco use?

• Tobacco use has negative effects on all parts of the body.

Cancer: Tobacco use increases your risk of many kinds of cancer. Smoking is the cause of 80-90% of lung cancer, tobacco use has been linked to 75-85% of head and neck cancers, and about 50% of all bladder cancer deaths can be attributed to tobacco use.

Heart and Blood Vessel Disease: The nicotine in tobacco causes an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide and can decrease the amount of oxygen flowing to your heart and other organs.  Smokeless tobacco more than doubles heart attack risk.

Lung Disease: The chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage your lungs and cause a buildup of dirt and waste products. This can result in a long term cough, infections, and diseases, such as: asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. You are also at higher risk of respiratory illnesses.

Women and Smoking: The risk of heart and blood vessel disease increases with using tobacco and taking birth control. Women may have a harder time of getting pregnant if you use tobacco. Pregnant woman who also use tobacco have a higher risk of miscarriage or having a stillborn baby. Babies born to mothers who use tobacco are at higher risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

Why should I quit using tobacco?

• Your health will improve and your risks for many diseases will decrease.
• Your clothes, breath, and hair will no longer smell like smoke. Tobacco will no longer stain your teeth.
• When you quit, you decrease the health risks to others around you, such as: your children and family members.

What are the health risks of Second Hand Smoke?

• There is no risk free level of exposure from cigarette smoke.
• Nonsmokers who live with a smoker have a 20% to 30% increased risk for developing lung cancer.
• Pets are affected by second hand smoke as well because they are at an increased risk of tumors and cancer.

Where can I go for support and more information?

• Smokefree.gov

Phone: 1-800-784-8669

Web Address: www.smokefree.gov

• American Lung Association

Phone: 1-800-548-8252

Web Address: www.lung.org

• Virginia Quit Line

Phone: 1-800-QUITNOW

Web Address: www.quitnow.net/virginia