Tobacco is made from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant It can be made into cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff and occasionally chewing tobacco. Regular smoking can be expensive. Smoking twenty cigarettes a day can cost £25 or more a week.

WHAT IS NICOTINE?

Tobacco contains the stimulant drug nicotine, which increases pulse rate and blood pressure.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF SMOKING?

First time users may simply feel sick or dizzy. Regular smokers often say it helps them to concentrate, relax, combat boredom and reduce anxiety. It also suppresses the appetite, so people often eat less. Effects start very quickly and can continue for up to thirty minutes from one cigarette.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SMOKING?

Although some people smoke occasionally, most people become hooked and smoke regularly. If they don't smoke regularly they may feel restless, irritable and depressed.
Coughs, chest and breathing problems, and bad breath are very common among smokers.
Regular long-term users have much greater risk of developing lung and some other cancers, heart disease, circulatory problems, bronchitis and ulcers.
Each year about 110,000 people die prematurely from smoking-related diseases in the UK. Smoking during pregnancy can damage an unborn child.
It can result in low birth weight and other complications. Passive smoking - breathing in other people's smoke - can be damaging to health. Babies and young children may be especially susceptible to asthma and chest problems. The smell of smoke on clothes and hair.

THE LAW

It is not illegal to smoke at any age. It is illegal for shopkeepers to sell cigarettes to youngsters who they know are under 16 years of age.

IF YOU SMOKE AND WANT TO GIVE UP…………

Set yourself a date to stop. Get support from your family and friends. Stay away from places where lots of people smoke. Consider hypnosis, acupuncture, nicotine chewing gum or nicotine patches.

IF YOU ARE NOT READY TO STOP SMOKING………

Reduce the risks by:
Gradually cutting down the number you smoke.
Setting and sticking to a daily limit.
Smoking low tar/extra filter brands.