Tobacco

Smoking

People use tobacco to smoke. Intake of smoke from cigarettes, bidi, tambakhu, kakkad, khaini, surti, and cigar is called smoking. Smoking can be done in various ways such as cigarettes, bidi, tambakhu, kakkad, khaini, surti and cigar. Tobacco contains a chemical substance known as nicotine. Taking drops of nicotine can be fatal. Similarly, it is estimated that, a cigarette contains between 1.5 to 2 mg of nicotine.

Effects of smoking

Smoking causes both immediate and long term effects. The effects that are seen or experienced soon or after smoking is known as immediate effects. Effects that are seen after prolonged smoking are called long term effects.

1. Immediate effects:Immediate effects of smoking include coughing, bad breath, headache, nausea, chest pain, vomiting and increased heartbeat rate.
2. Long term effects:
   • Yellowing of the teeth, skin and nails.
   • High blood pressure and increased temper.
   • Increased risk of asthma and lung cancer.
   • Adverse effects on passive smokers.
   • Infertility in women or stillbirth.

Preventive measure

1. Keep away from smokers. Reject any peer pressure for smoking.
2. Discourage family members who smoke, if any, from smoking.
3. Declare public places as the no-smoking zone.
4. Impart practical health education promoting people to be away from smoking.
5. Spreading awareness on negative effects of tobacco.