The Little Blue Book

• Smoking tobacco is a known cause of a range of cancers. These include lung, bladder, mouth, pharyngeal, pancreatic, kidney, stomach, laryngeal, and oesophageal cancer • Smokers are at increased risk of heart disease, narrowing of the arteries, high blood-pressure, aortic aneurysms, blockages and stroke • Smoking is also associated with increased risk of diabetes, renal disease, eye disease and respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis • Tobacco-use is the cause of more ill-health and premature death than any other drug, including heroin, cannabis, methamphetamine, alcohol and cocaine 1 • Cigarette smoke, in addition to nicotine, contains more than 4000 chemicals including benzo(A)pyrene (which is a Group 1 carcinogen that binds to DNA), toluene, ammonia, formaldehyde, butane, carbon monoxide and tar. More than 40 of these chemicals are carcinogens. 2 Diseases associated with smoking (1) The Costs of Tobacco, Alcohol and Illicit Drug Abuse to Australian Society, Roxburgh et al; 2013 (2) US Department of Health and Human Services, 2010; Thielen, Klus, & Muller SMOKING AND STRESS Smokers commonly report that having a smoke “settles the nerves”, that it relieves stress. While that may be the feeling, it is not supported by heart rate and blood-pressure monitoring – smokers, male and female, have higher heart rates than non-smokers (both when resting and exercising), and, when ‘lighting-up’, a smoker’s heart rate jumps, as does blood pressure. The feeling of ‘stress relief’ comes from satisfying the craving, the addiction to nicotine. But it’s true that some people smoke as a coping mechanism – a distraction, something to do with the hands, a few quiet minutes ‘in the bubble’. Unfortunately for the smoker, the release of adrenalin triggered by the hit of nicotine (which accompanies the release of dopamine), puts the body on edge. People suffering anxiety disorder have a similar elevated adrenalin response. If you’re reacting to stress in your life by smoking, know that it is no solution. In fact, it is part of the problem. So, take back control of your life – after all, it’s your life. And give ‘the finger’ to the corporates behind the tobacco industry who don’t care about you, the quality of your life, your health, and your family. All they care about is getting your money, getting you hooked, and keeping you hooked. Did you know? ! 75 ADA Australia PostScript Section 2 Section 1 Section 3