Tobacco & Lung Health Resources

Tobacco products are derived from the tobacco plant. Tobacco is an alkalokd plant in the nightshade family. There are 64 species of tobacco; however, only two are responsible for producing tobacco products: Nicotiona Tabacum and Nicotiana Rustica. Tobacco products are categorized as combustible, burns away with use, or noncombustible, does not burn away with use. Products can be smoked, chewed, sniffed, or dissolved. Tobacco products include:

• Cigarettes
• Cigars
• Hookah/Water Pipes
• Smokless Tobacco such as chew and snuff
• Electronic Cigarettes
• Pipe Tobacco 

Tobacco contains many harmful chemicals, including nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and negatively interacts in the brain and body. The nicotine content varies by product and brand. For example, 1 pack of cigarettes contains between 160-200mgs of nicotine compared to 1 can of chew, which can contain up to 144mg of nicotine. Nicotine absorption is dependent on the type of product, combustible or noncombustible. Cigarettes are a combustible product. This means that as the cigarette is smoked, the product breaks down and burns away. The user will not receive the full amount of nicotine in the product. On average, a user will only absorb 1-2mg of nicotine per cigarette. Chewing tobacco is a non-combustible product. The user will absorb the full amount of nicotine in the product through the lining of the mouth.

Cigarettes contain up to 7000 chemicals, and 70 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Cigarettes also contain tar, heavy metals, and carbon monoxide. Tobacco products are created to encourage returning customers. Added chemicals and flavors, such as menthol and ammonia, make tobacco smoke more desirable and enhances the route of nicotine to the brain, making it more addictive.

The health effects of tobacco use can be severe and life changing. Smoking can cause 16 different types of cancers, numerous chronic health diseases, damage to every part of the body, and exacerbate existing health conditions. Lung diseases induced by cigarette smoking include:

• COPD including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
• Asthma
• Lung infections
• Reduced lung function
• Lung cancer

No tobacco product is safe to consume and all tobacco products have lasting effects on health and quality of life. Death and disease due to tobacco use is 100% preventable.

Quitting is doable and worth it! Visit the resources below to begin your quit journey.

PA Free Quitline

The online and telephone-based cessation counseling program uses proven strategies that have helped more than 1.5 million people quit tobacco.

• 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669)

• 1-855-DEJELO-YA (335-3569)

• https://pa.quitlogix.org/en-us/

My Life My Quit – Just for Teens

My Life, My Quit is the free and confidential way to quit smoking or vaping.

• Text "Start My Quit" to 36072

• https://pa.mylifemyquit.org/en-us/

Smokefree.gov

Visit smokefree.gov to learn about quitting tools, nicotine-replacement therapies, coping strategies, and other quitting resources!