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 Tobacco comes from the leaves of the tobacco
plant. It contains a drug called nicotine which is highly addictive. It's nicotine that gives smokers their 'hit'.
Health
Info
Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 chemicals. Many of them are known to do
bad things to the human body including causing cancer.
Addiction
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug. Smokers can get hooked very quickly and it can take years and a huge effort to kick the
habit.
Health
Risks
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Nicotine speeds up the heart rate and increases blood pressure.
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First time smokers often feel sick and dizzy.
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Smokers are more likely to get coughs and chest infections.
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Long-term addiction could leave you with cancer, emphysema (related to your lungs) or heart disease.
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Smoking has been linked to the amputation of 2,000 limbs a year.
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It's estimated smoking contributes to 120,000 premature deaths in the UK every year.
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Other people breathing in your smoke could end up with breathing difficulties, asthma or even cancer.
The
Law
It's illegal for shopkeepers to sell tobacco or tobacco products to anyone under
18.
more
info?
If
you would like to talk to someone about drugs, alcohol, smoking or mental
health you can contact the following:
FRANK
- free confidential advice on drugs 24 hours a day, telephone: 0800 77 66 00 www.talktofrank.com
Drinkline
- a national alcohol helpline offering information and advice to those
with alcohol related problems, open Tuesday to Thursday 9am to 11pm and 9am
Friday to 11pm Monday, telephone: 0800 917 8282
NHS
Smoking Helpline - source of help and advice on smoking and giving up, open daily 7am to 11pm,
telephone: 0800 169 0 169.
QUIT
- charity offering advice to help smokers to stop, open 9am to 9pm, 7 days a
week, telephone: 0800 00 22 00 www.quit.org.uk
Rethink
- for advice about mental health or mental illness, open 10am to
3pm, Monday to Friday, telephone: 0845 456 0455 www.rethink.org/at-ease
Information
provided by The National Youth Agency www.nya.org.uk
and Mentor UK www.mentorfoundation.org. |
