Smoking

Introduction

• Tobacco is one of the world's leading preventable causes of death.
• Tobacco use leads to many diseases that negatively affect the heart, liver, and lungs.

What are the side effects and complications of smoking?

• Coronary artery disease (clogged arteries)
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Blood vessel damage
• Pulmonary embolism
• Different types of cancer
• Oral and dental diseases
• Increased susceptibility to diseases and infections

The effect of smoking on the external appearance:

• Yellow and brown spots on the fingers, tongue, and teeth
• Increased risk of tooth loss
• Saggy skin and early wrinkles
• Bad breath

What are the effects and complications of smoking on a pregnant woman?

• Miscarriage
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight baby
• Stillbirth
• Smoking during pregnancy or exposure to smoke causes a number of negative effects on the health of the fetus.

Types of tobacco

• All forms of tobacco are harmful, and there is no safe level of exposure.
• Cigarette smoking is the most common type. Other products include:
  • Hookah tobacco
  • Smokeless tobacco products
  • Cigars, cigarillos, hand-rolled tobacco
  • Pipe tobacco, bidi rolls, and kretek rolls

Midwakh (Dokha or pipe tobacco):

• Mixture of tobacco smoked in a pipe called "medwakh," often used by young people.
• Contains nicotine levels five times higher than cigarettes.
• Considered as harmful as cigarettes and hookah.

New and emerging tobacco and nicotine products:

• Heated tobacco products
  • Generate sprays containing nicotine and toxic chemicals when tobacco leaves are heated.
  • Expose users to carcinogenic toxic emissions.
• Electronic cigarettes (vape):
  • Heat a liquid to generate aerosol/vapor for inhalation.
  • Often flavored and can harm health, increasing the risk of heart disease and lung disorders.
  • Dangerous for children and teens due to brain development.
  • Not approved by the FDA as a smoking cessation treatment.

Does smoking cause addiction?

• Nicotine in tobacco causes changes in the brain, leading to addiction.
• Quitting is difficult due to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and the positive feelings nicotine provides temporarily.

What are the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal?

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Violence
• Frustration
• Difficulty concentrating
• Insomnia
• Low heart rate
• Increased appetite

Passive or secondhand smoking

• Inhaling smoke from another's cigarette poses health risks to non-smokers.
• Passive smokers face the same health risks as actual smokers.

Risks for children

• Irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat
• Increased chest infections
• Breathing difficulty
• Decreased lung growth
• Sudden infant death

Risks for adult non-smokers

• Higher risk of heart attacks, lung cancer, sinus cancer, and strokes.

How to protect non-smokers from passive smoking?

• Do not smoke around non-smokers, especially children and pregnant women.
• Respect laws against smoking in enclosed public spaces.
• Avoid smoking in workplaces, public transportation, and schools.

Smoking cessation tips

• Set a date to quit smoking and stop completely.
• Inform friends and family to gain support.
• Dispose of ashtrays, lighters, and cigarette packs.
• Avoid triggers and change daily routines.
• Be prepared for withdrawal symptoms, which peak 12–24 hours after quitting and decline over 2–4 weeks.
• Consider medications such as nicotine gum, sprays, patches, or pills under a doctor's supervision.
• Visit smoking cessation clinics and try again if you fail.

Benefits of quitting smoking

• Reduces the risk of disease.
• Protects the health of those around you.
• Improves fertility, breathing, and fitness.
• Enhances food taste and appearance of skin and teeth.
• Eliminates tobacco odors and reduces fire risks

When you're ready to quit, remember

• Nicotine addiction takes weeks to overcome, but many succeed daily.
• It may take several attempts to quit completely.
• Identify triggers (stress, boredom, anger) and avoid them.
• Find activities to keep busy and prevent relapse.
• Avoid social situations with smokers initially.