Tobacco and diseases

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Slide 1

Tobacco

and its dangers

Slide 2

Tobacco smoke

Tobacco smoke contains about 1000 chemicals, many of them being harmful

Smoking kills 12 times the number of people killed in road accidents

It contains nicotine which is addictive

Tar is a black sticky substance that forms in the moist lungs

Tar contains 17 chemicals (carcinogens) that are known to cause cancer

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that stops red blood cells from carrying oxygen around the body

Slide 3

Heart disease

Heart disease is 3 times more common among smokers

Smokers have more chance of a heart attack (when the heart stops working)

Slide 4

Healthy, clean lungs

A healthy lung looks like a pink sponge

The air sacs give the lungs a large surface area for gas exchange to take place

This ensures that enough oxygen gets into the blood and around the body

Slide 5

Lung cancer

Cancers of the lungs, mouth, gullet (oesophagus), and the bladder are caused by chemicals called carcinogens in tobacco smoke

9 out of 10 people who die from lung cancer are smokers

Slide 6

Emphysema

Emphysema is a lung disease caused by tar.

Lung tissue is destroyed and large holes develop which blow up like balloons.

Breathing becomes very difficult.

Slide 7

Bronchitis

This lung disease is usually found in smokers

The air passages (bronchi) to the lungs become irritated by smoke

These air passages become swollen and sore

There are tiny hairs called cilia which keep these air passages clear

Smoking damages these cilia and stops them working

The lungs fill up with mucus which the smoker now has to try and physically cough up!

Slide 8

Other problems caused by smoking:

Tobacco smoke is often very unpleasant for other people

It makes your breath, hair, clothes and house smell

It can irritate those who suffer with hayfever or astha

Passive smokers can also develop lung damage

Pregnant mothers who smoke can have smaller babies than non-smokers. The babies also have an increased risk of getting astha

It is thought that smoking in a house may contribute to causing cot deaths