LOCAL DRUGS OF CONCERN
NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

TOBACCO

The smoking of tobacco products is the chief avoidable cause of death in our society. Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to contract heart disease - thousands die each year from smoking-related coronary heart disease. Lung, larynx, esophageal, bladder, pancreatic, and kidney cancers also strike smokers at increased rates. Some 30 percent of cancer deaths are linked to smoking. Chronic, obstructive lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis are 10 times more likely to occur among smokers than among nonsmokers.

Smoking during pregnancy also poses serious risks. Spontaneous abortion, pre-term birth, low birth weights, and fetal and infant deaths are all more likely to occur when the pregnant woman is a smoker.

Cigarette smoke contains some 4,000 chemicals, several of which are known carcinogens. Perhaps the most dangerous substance in tobacco smoke is nicotine. Nicotine is the substance that reinforces and strengthens the desire to smoke. Because nicotine is highly addictive, addicts find it very difficult to stop smoking. Of 1,000 typical smokers, fewer than 20 percent succeed in stopping on the first try.

Many people smoke because they believe cigarettes calm their nerves. Actually, smoking releases epinephrine, a hormone which creates physiological stress in the smoker, rather than relaxation. The addictive quality of epinephrine makes the user feel that he/she must smoke more to calm down, when the cigarette smoke itself is causing the agitation. Tobacco is addictive. Most users develop a tolerance for nicotine and need greater amounts to produce a desired effect. Smokers become physically and psychologically dependent and will suffer withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped.

Physical withdrawal symptoms include:

1. changes in body temperature
2. increased heart rate
3. indigestion changes
4. changes in muscle tone
5. changes in appetite

Psychological symptoms include: irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, nervousness, headaches, fatigue, nausea, and cravings for tobacco that can last for days, weeks, months, years, or an entire lifetime.

SMOKING FACTS

1. Smoking is responsible for close to a thousand deaths each year in Canada.
2. Exercising and participating in sports is nearly impossible if you smoke cigarettes.
3. Young smokers are 100 times more likely to smoke pot and become addicted to other illicit substances such as heroin and cocaine.
4. Smoking can lead to many physical problems, including emphysema, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
5. Smoking makes you smell bad, gives you bad breath, makes your fingers turn yellow, and gives you premature wrinkles.
6. Experimenting with smoking could lead to full-fledged addiction and a lifetime of trying to quit.
7. Smoking puts your health and the health of those around you at risk.
8. Smoking may actually contribute to your state of agitation.
9. If you know someone who smokes, be part of the solution. Urge your friend to get help.

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For further information contact:

TRI-FORCE / KENORA JOINT FORCES DRUG UNIT
Tel: (807) 475-0198
Fax: (807) 475-0328
E-mail: info@tri-forcedrugs.com

It should be noted that if you wish to provide information on drug trafficking issues –
e-mail can be traced.
We would request it remain anonymous – please contact:

Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477