Tobacco Use Prevention

Tobacco and Your Health
  • Using tobacco products is related to over 24 diseases and conditions. It has a negative effect on nearly every organ of the body and reduces overall health.
  • Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death from certain cancers, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
What is Second-hand Smoke?
  • Sidestream smoke from the end of a burning cigarette, cigar or pipe.
  • Mainstream smoke is inhaled by the smoker first, then exhaled into the air.
  • Second-hand smoke contains the same 4000+chemicals that are inhaled by a smoker.
  • About 50 of the chemicals are associated with, or are known to cause cancer.
Health Effects of Second-hand Smoke
  • Non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke have increased risk of getting lung cancer, heart disease, or respiratory problems.
  • Children, especially infants, are at risk from the effects of second-hand smoke.
  • Babies breathe more quickly and take in more harmful chemicals. Babies exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies living in a smoke-free home.
  • Babies and children exposed to second-hand smoke have more frequent coughs, pneumonia, bronchitis, croup and ear infections and are more likely to develop asthma.
  • Smoking in a closed-in space, like a car, increases the concentration of harmful chemicals.
Talk to your kids about tobacco
  • If your kids reach the age of 20 without smoking, chances are they will never start.
  • As parents, you can influence whether or not your children smoke. At school, kids learn about the dangers of smoking. From their friends, they may feel pressure to smoke. But parents can bring smoking down to a personal level.
  • You can talk about your own experiences with smoking or not smoking, and what smoking means to you. And you can listen to what it means to your kids. Most of all, you can provide loving guidance to help your children decide not to smoke.
Quitting Smoking
  • It's the best thing you can do for yourself and your family.
  • Your local Northwestern Health Unit office can provide self-help resources to help you quit smoking.
  • Smokers' Helpline is a FREE, confidential telephone service for easy access to a trained Quit Specialist who will work with you to develop a "Quit Plan". Call 1-877-513-5333.
  • Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT) like nicotine patch, gum or inhaler can double your chances of successfully quitting! They also help to reduce cravings and withdrawl symptoms. Talk to your pharmacist about the NRT program that is right for you.
  • Even pets can be affected by second-hand smoke. They don't just inhale the chemicals; the smoke particles are also trapped in their fur and ingested when they groom themselves.
More Resources on the Web