Tobacco use

Tobacco use is the leading cause of death and disability throughout the world. It contributes to one in every six deaths in the U.S.

Tobacco contains over 400 chemicals. Tar, a sticky substance drug found in tobacco, can cause physical and psychological addiction. Nicotine dulls taste buds, constricts blood vessels, and increases blood presure and heart rate. Becasue nicotine is highly addictive, people who use tabacco find it very hard to quit.

Smoking during pregnacy can result in low birth weight for the infant. Smoking during adolescence reduces the rate of lung growth and the level of maximum lung function that could be acheived. As a result, adolescents who smoke experince shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. This reduced lung function in one's youth can lead to bronchitis and lung cancer in adulthood. Smoking also casues bad breath and discolored teeth and fingers.

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Also see: Tobacco smoking