Say “No” to Smoking

Melissa Moore - Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for the

Control of Tobacco(ACT)

We have two lungs that look like upside-down trees

Your Lungs!

Inside Your Lungs!

Inside Your Lungs!

Tiny hairs called Cilia keep your lungs

clean!!

Why are lungs important?

• Delivers oxygen to our body.

• Cells in our body need oxygen to make energy so we can play and exercise.

Smoking causes…

• Many different types of cancer, especially lung cancer

• Heart disease• Stroke• Lung disease• Many other disease of almost

every part of your body

But Everyone Smokes….Don’t They??

The Truth is:

• Less than 1 in 5 Canadians over the age of 15 smoke

• One half of these smokers want to quit at any given time

• Most Canadians do not smoke, either at home or at work

What Does Addictive Mean?A difference in brain chemistry

• Tobacco contains nicotine• Nicotine is more addictive than

cocaine or heroin• Smokers brains are “tricked” into

“liking” smoking, and “needing” smoking to feel normal

What’s in Tobacco Smoke?

• Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals

• 50 of these chemicals cause cancer

• Some of these chemicals are unsafe at ANY level

• Includes formaldehyde, ammonia, arsenic, cadmium, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide

ARSENIC ACETONE AMMONIA

CARBON MONOXIDE

METHANOL (ROCKET FUEL)

Do you REALLY Understand…

What Can Happen If You Smoke?

• Affects EVERY part of your body– Hair– Brain– Eyes – Mouth – breath and teeth– Yellow skin and wrinkles– Difficulty in breathing

(Asthma, etc).– Serious Diseases

Second-Hand Smoke

What is Second-Hand Smoke?

• The smoke released at the lit end of the cigarette and the smoke that the smoker exhales

• Many of the chemicals are dangerous and cause allergic reactions

Second Hand Smoke

If you can smell it, you are

breathing it!

Why do people start to smoke?

• Curious – experimenting

• Peer Pressure• Parents or friends

smoke• Looks cool• Want to fit in• What are other

reasons?

Saying “NO” to Smoking

– 90% of youth who smoke 2 cigarettes or more, go on to be smokers for most of their life.

– Smoking is not popular – most people don’t smoke

Saying “NO” to Smoking

Give a reason or excuse -

“I have allergies.” “I can’t because I play sports.”

“No thanks”

Broken record - “No.” “No.” “No.” “I

said No.”

Walk away

Avoid the situation - “I have other plans

right now.”

Saying “NO” to Smoking

Cold shoulder Ignore them. Go & talk

with other friends.

Reverse the pressure “I don’t want to & I

can’t believe you do.”

Strength in numbers “Everyone knows says

it’s bad for you.”

Be Funny “You’ve got to be

joking.” “ Smoking Sucks!”

Why do people continue to smoke?

Addiction – Tough to quit! Something to do with your

hands Stimulation – nicotine

stimulates Don’t know how to quit Other reasons?

Reasons to never start smoking or to

quit smoking Health Stinks, bad breath, yellow

skin Family/Friends Too much money! Peer pressure (fewer

smokers) Fewer places to smoke Don’t like it anymore –

sick of it Others…

Choosing to not smoke

means that …

I will be able

to breath better!

My Heart WillBe

Stronger!

I will be able to

play and exercise

longer and more often!

My clothes

and breath

will smell

better!

I will be able to smell and

taste better!

I will live a longer

and healthier life!

You Can Help!Speak Up! – Say NO!

Never start to smoke - promise to stay smoke free

Ask others to not smoke around you

Help friends to choose not to smoke

Help parents and friends to quit

Questions/Comments?