Tobacco Use and Society

Effect on Nonsmokers

• Secondhand Smoke- Air contaminated by tobacco smoke.– 2 forms• Mainstream smoke- smoke inhaled then exhaled by

smoker• Side stream smoke- smoke that comes from the

burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar– Contains twice as much tar and nicotine.

• Passive Smokers- nonsmokers who breathe secondhand smoke

Health Hazards to Adults, Children, and Unborn Babies

• People breathing in cigarette smoke risk the same illnesses as a smoker

• This includes heart and lung diseases as well as respiratory problems– Estimated 53,000 people die from passive smoking.

• Children are harmed more than adults– Allergies, asthma, ear infections, and heart problems

• Pregnant women put their unborn child at risk– Babies could die or have low birth weight

• SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is linked to babies with mothers who smoke during or after pregnancy.

Rights of Nonsmokers

• We have the right to breath tobacco free air– More smoke free places than ever before– Also laws have been made to protect us.

• Keep smoking out of your house• If a person is smoking by you, ask them to

move.

Legal Restrictions on Smoking

• 1989- smoking was outlawed on airplanes• Employers have the right to ban smoking in

any workplace.• Laws have been made to control packaging

and selling– Clear warning labels

Hidden Costs to Society

• Tobacco related illness– High cost hospital bills for emphysema and lung cancer

• People who use tobacco need more medical treatment than non users

• Tobacco users have higher insurance rates– If a tobacco user has no insurance, the government

pays• A US family will also have to paly this in their taxes• Estimated 38 billion is what taxpayers pay each year

whether they smoke or not.