Tobacco

What It Does
In different forms, tobacco may be smoked or ingested orally as "chew". The legal age for tobacco use in the United States is 18, but is frequently abused at much younger ages. The tobacco user reports that the substance relaxes and soothes them. Nicotine has been discovered to be one of the active ingredients in tobacco leading to the user's claiming state and addiction.

Lung and mouth diseases are among the most commonly reported problems with tobacco use. Higher rates of lung disease and cancers, tumors, and infections are reported for tobacco users than non-users. Tobacco use may also lead to staining of the teeth and fingers, tooth decay, increased susceptibility to chest colds and coughs, nausea, asthma-like breathing symptoms, and premature births. . Long-term use, in addition to lung and heart problems, leaves the user with decreased nail and hair growth and skin problems. Smoking tobacco has the added risk of introducing non-smokers to the chemicals through airborne smoke.

Infofax - Tobacco

Arizona Statistics
Tobacco use rose in Arizona residents 18-24 years old between 1990 and 1996 from 21 to 28 percent. In 1993, 9.6 percent of Arizona males in grades 9-12 reported themselves as frequent tobacco users (defined as use more than 29 days in the past month) and 27.3 percent said they had used tobacco products in the past month. For females in the same cohort, 11 percent considered themselves frequent users and 28.9 percent had used tobacco in the past month. In the western region (figures not available for just Arizona), in 1993, 18.6 percent of males and 2.5 percent of females in grades 9-12 had tried smokeless tobacco. Over 10 percent of pregnant women under 19 in 1996 reported tobacco use during pregnancy. Less than one percent reported use of both tobacco and alcohol while pregnant.

Straight talk about tobacco
Doctor: "You know the best way to quit is to go home and if you have any packs around the house, throw them out."

Quadruple-bypass patient and cigarette pack collector Chuck Hynes: "That is going to be tough doctor."

Other Web Resources

• SIPE - Web Resources
• US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms
• Smoker's States National Prevention Control Program
• American Medical Association Tobacco Links