Health Consequences Health Consequences of Tobacco Useof Tobacco Use

Created by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario

Smoking-related death rates Smoking-related death rates

In Canada more than 47,000 people per year die prematurely due to tobacco use (Health Canada, 2008)

The average person who smokes will die about eight years earlier than a similar non-smoker

Tobacco-related CancersTobacco-related Cancers

• Smoking causes cancer of the: ◦Lung (80-85 % of cases), Oral cavity, Pancreas,

Larynx, Kidney, Esophagus, Bladder (30-40 % of cases)

• Smoking linked to cancer of the large intestine & some forms of leukemia

• Smoking causes 21,000 deaths from cancer per year in Canada (30% of cancer deaths)

• Smokeless tobacco (chew tobacco, snuff etc.) is a major cause of cancer of the mouth

Risk of Developing CancerRisk of Developing Cancer

Risk of developing cancer increases with: • Duration of smoking• Number of cigarettes per day• Degree of inhalation

Risk of lung cancer is significantly reduced with smoking cessation

Effects of Smoking on the Effects of Smoking on the Cardiovascular SystemCardiovascular System

• Smoking:• Is a dominant cause of heart disease, stroke &

diseases of the blood vessels• Causes about 30% of all heart disease deaths• Accounts for about ¾ of all cases of peripheral

vascular disease• As a result of smoking, each year in

Canada: • More than 17,600 cardiovascular deaths• More than 2,000 deaths from stroke• Many of these deaths occur prematurely (before age 70)

Effects of Smoking on the Effects of Smoking on the Cardiovascular SystemCardiovascular System

• Incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is 2 to 4 times greater in smokers

• Smoking is a major risk factor for heart attacks and sudden cardiac death

• Smoking acts synergistically with other risk factors (ex. high cholesterol & blood pressure) to increase the risk of CHD

• Quitting smoking substantially reduces the risk of CHD and stroke

Pulmonary DiseasesPulmonary Diseasesrelated to tobacco userelated to tobacco use

Smoking is responsible for more than 8,000 deaths from respiratory diseases per year in Canada

Smoking depresses the body’s immune system & other defense mechanisms

Smokers are at increased risk for respiratory infections compared to non-smokers

Smoking may increase susceptibility to the common cold

COPDCOPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic bronchitis Chronic airway obstruction Emphysema & related disorders

Smoking accounts for 80% – 90% of all COPD deaths

Effects of Smoking on Pregnancy, Effects of Smoking on Pregnancy, Newborns and BreastfeedingNewborns and Breastfeeding

Bleeding during pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy

◦fertilized egg implants outside of uterus Miscarriage Premature delivery Stillbirth Abnormalities of the placenta

Effects of Smoking on Pregnancy, Effects of Smoking on Pregnancy, Newborns and BreastfeedingNewborns and Breastfeeding

Babies born with low birth weight (less than 2500 g)

Babies receive nicotine & carbon monoxide from mother’s blood

May contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Nicotine & other chemicals get into breast milk

Decreased quantity of breast milk

Effects of Smoking on Effects of Smoking on Early Childhood Early Childhood

Increased risk of allergiesHigher blood pressure in childhoodIncreased likelihood of obesityStunted growthPoorer lung functionIncreased likelihood of asthma

Effects of Smoking on Effects of Smoking on Client/Patient RecoveryClient/Patient Recovery

Smoking can effect recovery from illness & surgery • Ex. Increased recovery time for patients who

smoke

Examples: Smoking increases the risk of recurrence in

persons who have survived a heart attack Ulcers heal less readily and are more likely to

recur

Other Health RisksOther Health Risks

• Gastrointestinal problems- Ulcers- Chronic Bowel Disease- Crohn’s Disease

• Type 2 diabetes- 50 % increased likelihood of getting Type 2 diabetes

• Rheumatologic conditions- Rheumatoid arthritis

• Cataracts

• Orthopedic conditions- Osteoporosis

• Skin conditions- Contact allergies

•Kidney damage- Worsens kidney problems for patients/clients with diabetes, high blood pressure etc.

• Tooth and gum problems- Oral cancer- Tooth loss, decay- Periodontal (gum) disease

Additional HazardsAdditional Hazards• For men: • Erectile dysfunction• Fertility may be impaired

• For women:• Risk for cervical cancer• Early menopause• Increased menstrual disorders• Fertility may be impaired• Smoking and the use of oral contraceptives

greatly increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and other vascular complications

Health Risks of Health Risks of Second-hand SmokeSecond-hand SmokeExposure to second-hand smoke causes the

following diseases and conditions:

◦In adults: Heart disease Lung cancer Nasal sinus cancer

◦In children: SIDS Fetal growth impairment Bronchitis, pneumonia & other lower respiratory tract

infections Asthma exacerbation Middle ear disease Respiratory symptoms

Health Risks of Second-hand Health Risks of Second-hand SmokeSmokeAlso linked to:

◦In adults: Stroke Cervical cancer Breast cancer Miscarriages

◦In children:• Adverse impact on cognition and behaviour• Decreased lung function• Asthma induction• Exacerbation of cystic fibrosis

Strategies to Include Tobacco Use Strategies to Include Tobacco Use in Health Assessmentin Health Assessment

•Expand the area where vital signs are recorded to include tobacco use or use an alternative universal identification system.

Example:

•Simply ask all patients, "Do you smoke or have you ever smoked?, Are you exposed to second hand smoke at home?", and note their response in the chart.

Strategies to Include Tobacco Use Strategies to Include Tobacco Use in Health Assessmentin Health Assessment

Expand the area where vital signs are recorded to include tobacco use or use an alternative universal identification system.◦Simply ask all patients, "Do you smoke or have you ever

smoked?, Are you exposed to second hand smoke at home?", and note their response in the chart.

Example: