Tobacco risks

The tobacco is a plant. Its leaves are smoked, chewed or aspirated to experience a variety of effects.

Tobacco contains the chemical nicotine, which is an addictive substance.
Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals of which at least 70 are known to cause cancer.
Tobacco that does not burn is called tobacco that is not smoked. Including nicotine, there are at least 30 chemicals in non-smoking tobacco that are known to cause cancer.

Knowing the serious risks to health from the use of tobacco can help motivate you to quit. Using tobacco for a period of time can increase the risk of many health problems.

Cardiovascular problems:

• Blood clots and weakening of blood vessel walls in the brain, which can lead to stroke
• Blood clots in the legs, which can travel to the lungs
• Coronary artery disease, which includes angina and heart attack
• Temporary high blood pressure after smoking
• Poor blood flow to the legs
• Problems with erections due to decreased blood flow to the penis

Other health problems or risks:

• Cancer (most likely in the lung, mouth, larynx, nose and sinuses, throat, esophagus, stomach, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, colon and rectum)
• Poor healing of a wound after surgery.
• Pulmonary problems such as COPD, or asthma that is difficult to control.
• Problems during pregnancy, such as babies born with low birth weight, premature delivery, spontaneous abortion and cleft lip.
• Decreased ability to taste and smell.
• Damage to sperm, which causes sterility.
• Loss of sight due to an increased risk of macular degeneration.
• Diseases of the teeth and gums.
• Wrinkles of the skin.

Smokers who switch to non-smoking tobacco instead of quitting still have health risks:

• Increased risk of oral cancer, tongue, esophagus and pancreas.
• Gum problems, tooth wear and decay.
• Worsening of arterial hypertension and angina.

Those who are often close to the smoke of others (passive smoking) have a higher risk of:

• Heart attacks and heart diseases.
• Lung cancer.
• Sudden and severe reactions, even in the eyes, nose, throat and lower respiratory tract.
• Babies and children who are often exposed to indirect cigarette smoke are at risk of:

Asthma attacks (children with asthma who live with a smoker are much more likely to visit the emergency department)
Infections of the mouth, throat, sinuses, ears and lungs
Lung damage (poor lung function)
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult, especially if you are doing it alone.

Seek support from family members, friends or co-workers.
Talk to your health care provider about nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation medications.
Join a smoking cessation program and you will be much more likely to succeed. These programs are offered in hospitals, health secretariats, community centers and work sites.