Say No to Smoking Melissa Moore Newfoundland Labrador

Say “No” to Smoking Melissa Moore - Newfoundland Labrador Alliance for the Control of Tobacco (ACT)

Your Lungs! We have two lungs that look like upside-down trees

Inside Your Lungs!

Inside Your Lungs! Tiny hairs called Cilia keep your lungs clean!!

Why are lungs important? • Delivers oxygen to our body. • Cells in our body need oxygen to make energy so we can play and exercise.

Smoking causes… • Many different types of cancer, especially lung cancer • Heart disease • Stroke • Lung disease • Many other disease of almost every part of your body

But Everyone Smokes…. Don’t They? ? The Truth is: • Less than 1 in 5 Canadians over the age of 15 smoke • One half of these smokers want to quit at any given time • Most Canadians do not smoke, either at home or at work

What Does Addictive Mean? A difference in brain chemistry • Tobacco contains nicotine • Nicotine is more addictive than cocaine or heroin • Smokers brains are “tricked” into “liking” smoking, and “needing” smoking to feel normal

What’s in Tobacco Smoke? • Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals • 50 of these chemicals cause cancer • Some of these chemicals are unsafe at ANY level • Includes formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, cadmium, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide

ARSENIC ACETONE AMMONIA CARBON MONOXIDE METHANOL (ROCKET FUEL)

Do you REALLY Understand… What Can Happen If You Smoke? • Affects EVERY part of your body Hair Brain Eyes Mouth – breath and teeth Yellow skin and wrinkles Difficulty in breathing (Asthma, etc). – Serious Diseases – – –

Second-Hand Smoke

What is Second-Hand Smoke? • The smoke released at the lit end of the cigarette and the smoke that the smoker exhales • Many of the chemicals are dangerous and cause allergic reactions

Second Hand Smoke If you can smell it, you are breathing it!

Why do people start to smoke? • • • Curious – experimenting Peer Pressure Parents or friends smoke Looks cool Want to fit in What are other reasons?

Saying “NO” to Smoking – 90% of youth who smoke 2 cigarettes or more, go on to be smokers for most of their life. – Smoking is not popular – most people don’t smoke

Saying “NO” to Smoking Give a reason or excuse “I have allergies. ” “I can’t because I play sports. ” “No thanks” Broken record “No. ” “I said No. ” Walk away Avoid the situation “I have other plans right now. ”

Saying “NO” to Smoking Cold shoulder Ignore them. Go & talk with other friends. Reverse the pressure “I don’t want to & I can’t believe you do. ” Strength in numbers “Everyone knows says it’s bad for you. ” Be Funny “You’ve got to be joking. ” “ Smoking Sucks!”

Why do people continue to smoke? Ø Ø Ø Addiction – Tough to quit! Something to do with your hands Stimulation – nicotine stimulates Don’t know how to quit Other reasons?

Reasons to never start smoking or to quit smoking Ø Ø Ø Ø Health Stinks, bad breath, yellow skin Family/Friends Too much money! Peer pressure (fewer smokers) Fewer places to smoke Don’t like it anymore – sick of it Others…

Choosing to not smoke means that …

I will be able to breath better!

My Heart Will Be Stronger!

I will be able to play and exercise longer and more often!

My clothes and breath will smell better!

I will be able to smell and taste better!

I will live a longer and healthier life!

You Can Help! ØSpeak Up! – Say NO! ØNever start to smoke - promise to stay smoke free ØAsk others to not smoke around you ØHelp friends to choose not to smoke ØHelp parents and friends to quit

Questions/Comments?