JUST THE FACTS

Tobacco

Q:  Is Tobacco a Drug?

A:  Next to alcohol, tobacco is the most frequently used legal drug. Approximately 30 per cent of people over the age of 15 use tobacco. Cigarette smoking is the most common addiction.  It's also one of the most difficult to overcome.  Inhaled cigarette smoke contains over 5,000 chemicals, many of which are cancer producing. These chemicals include tars, carbon monoxide and nicotine, a highly addictive stimulant.  Smoking has been identified as the #1 cause of death in Canada.  Tobacco kills 44,000 Canadians a year.

Q:  What are the effects of Tobacco?

The short-term effects of smoking include increased blood pressure, stimulation of the brain and nervous system resulting in a feeling of relaxation, lowered physical endurance and decreased appetite, wrinkles, more susceptible to colds, flu, bronchitis and emphysema.

Smoking over a long period of time significantly increases the risk of developing serious health problems including heart disease, stroke, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  Cancer of the lungs, larynx, mouth, bladder, kidney and pancreas also occur in many people who have smoked heavily for years.

© Watari Youth Day Treatment Program

Adapted from 2001-2002 AADAC – Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, corp.aadac.com

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