Tobacco Health Risks

Short Term Risks of Smoking

· Reduction in flow of blood and oxygen to the heart
· Rise in blood pressure and heart rate
· Increase in coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue,
and shortness of breath
· Decrease in level of good cholesterol (HDL)
· Foul-smelling breath, clothes, and hair

· Increase in level of bad cholesterol (LDL)
· Thickening of blood, intensifying risk of heart attack
and stroke
· Diminishing sense of taste and smell
· Decrease in body temperature, especially hands
and feet

Long Term Risks of Smoking

· Cancer: Lung, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix,
brain, mouth, breast, throat, and larynx
· Emphysema
· Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
· Stroke

· Coronary heart disease
· Wrinkled skin
· Atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries)
· Chronic bronchitis
· Ulcers
· Infertility
· Tobacco stained teeth and fingers

Effects of Secondhand Smoke

· Same, yet slightly less, long term and short term
risks as smokers
· Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

· Increased risk of asthma, allergies, and ear infections
· Increased risk of bronchitis and pneumonia

Short Term Risks of Smokeless Tobacco

· Gastrointestinal discomfort
· Irritability as levels of nicotine rise and fall
· Changes in blood-sugar levels
· Increase in blood pressure
· Faster heart rate
· Alterations in hormone levels

· Variations in blood thickness
· Narrowing of blood vessels
· Weakened immune system
· Reduced circulation of blood and oxygen
· Halitosis (bad breath)
· Mouth sores

Long Term Risks of Smokeless Tobacco

· Cancer: Mouth, tongue, jaw, throat, larynx
· Tooth decay
· Kidney disease
· Tobacco stained teeth
· Gingivitis

· Variations in blood thickness
· Narrowing of blood vessels
· Weakened immune system
· Reduced circulation of blood and oxygen
· Halitosis (bad breath)
· Mouth sores